HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-10-27 Metro North Regional Housing Advisory Committee Minutes Town of Reading
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2111 OCT -9 PN 6: 30
Metro North Regional Housing Services
Committee
Date: 2016-10-27 Time: 10:00 AM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session:
Purpose: Bi-Monthly Meeting Version:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Julie Mercier, Laurie Stanton, Danielle McKnight, Valerie Gingrich, Krista
Leahy
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Liz Rust
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Laurie Stanton
Topics of Discussion: -
The Committee called to order at 10:00 AM.
Minutes
The minutes for August 25 were approved unanimously.
Status Update
Monitoring Letters
The monitoring letters went out October 13.There was a problem with the mailing machine,and many
letters were not sealed.
North Reading:
HOME Funds—These funds are being used to rehab 40 Main St, Unit 7 (in Park Colony),and 240 Main St,
Unit 19,(in Fieldstone Estates). They are owned by the Housing Authority.Ms. Rust commented that
the funds can't be used to help first time home buyers, if you want the unit counted on the SHI.This can
be negotiated with DHCD through the LIP LAU program, but it is a lot of work. Ms. McKnight spoke to
the North Reading Town Administrator,and he was concerned about the Housing Authority doing the
308 process while the Town is responsible for the funds.The MOU could be revised to require proof of
proper procurement.A payment schedule could be added to the MOU,where payments are staggered
to cover any cash flow issue.The HQS Housing Standards,administered by Section 8,would ensure the
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work was done correctly.The Housing Authority is also under Ch.30B(Public procurement)and Ch. 149
(Public construction).We need to find out from Lisa Greene how the HOME money is dispersed.
HOME administers the American Dream Downpayment Initiative.
Reading:
We discussed Reading Village 40B rental at Lincoln and Prescott St.They are still in the process of
getting their comprehensive permit.
Saugus:
Two projects in the works:Essex Landing does have an affordability component,26, but that is only 30%.
The Hilltop also has an affordable component,30, but that is also only at 10%.These are not 4013s, but
developed under inclusionary zoning.
MAPC is presenting their HPP to the Town this evening.
Wilmington:
There is a large Town owned parcel identified for construction of over-55 rental.Some in the Town
question whetherthe Town should be providing land for these projects.The Town will drop below 10%
without a larger project.Cecil group is working on a facility Master Plan currently.Wilmington seniors
are in dire need of more affordable housing.
There are small parcels of Town land for RFP, but the Town will have to go through Land Court to clear
the title.
Next Meeting:January 19,2017 at 10 AM in the Berger Room at Town Hall.
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