HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-03-22 Board of Selectmen Executive Session Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
Executive Session
March 22, 1995
Present were Chairman Dan Ensminger, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen George Hines, Camille
Anthony and Bruce MacDonald, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Housing Authority
members Jean Galvin, Don Allen,Reverend Robert Sweet, Housing Authority Executive Director
Peg Plansky, Longwood Management representatives John Lynn, Bill Casper and Ed Levitt.
The Town Manager outlined the process of the sale of the Pearl Street School and the negotiation
of the contract for the Purchase and Sales agreement. It was noted that there are 18 units of
affordable housing and that GAFC is the program that has been used for determining financing
feasibility to fund those 18 affordable housing units. GAFC provides for Medicare
reimbursement, and provides for shelter and services. The "rent" covers the shelter costs plus
three meals a day, attendant care, 24 hour security, and other services. There have been moves in
the State legislature to expand the GAFC financial limit, which is currently approximately$6,900.
Longwood noted that GAFC is the only program designed specifically for assisted housing. The
Housing Authority noted that they feel strongly that one half of the affordable housing units
should be made available to residents who meet the typical profile of Reading low income elderly
residents- ie. incomes between $7,000 and $17,000 per year. They are concerned that according
to their data there are a low number of residents who would be GAFC qualified. The Town
Manager reviewed census data that indicates that there are 183 households who meet GAFC
income limits. Of them it was agreed that approximately 80 are in nursing homes which leaves an
additional 100 households in Reading who would be GAFC qualified.
The Housing Authority is willing to dedicate up to nine Section 8 units to be site based and would
work to get the 20% additional amount available beyond the regular rent. The facility can also
charge up to 45% of income for services. It was agreed that the total net loss to the development
would be in the area of$12,000 - $23,000 per year for nine units. Longwood disagreed with the
manner in which the Housing Authority figured this but agrees with the number. It was noted that
the affordability of the whole project is a concern, and that increasing the market rents to cover
the potential losses for site based Section 8 housing was not an option. It was noted that the
typical resident profile is between 82 and 84 year old single woman. This is not a straight housing
program - there are other elements to it. The consensus of all present was that there may well be
nine or more people who are Reading residents who meet GAFC requirements in which case there
is no issue. Ed Levitt from Longwood indicated that they have been dealing in good faith and
plan on being long-term good neighbors. They are allowed to give Reading residents preference.
Bill Casper asked why the Town would be adverse to letting Longwood try it with GAFC and if
there is a problem then come back and revisit the issue.
The result was that there will be a memorandum of understanding drafted by Bill Casper and
reviewed by the Town Manager and Camille Anthony for the Board of Selectmen - once there is
agreement in concept, then the draft will go to counsel for Longwood, the Town, and the
Housing Authority for review. A draft will be completed by Monday, March 27, 1995.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-March 22, 1995 -page 2 --
Longwood also indicated that they would need to extend their closing date from March 31. This
will be done by the Board of Selectmen on Monday.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to adjourn the Executive Session on a roll
call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. The motion was carried and the meeting
was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary