HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-24 ad Hoc - Community Preservation Act Study Committee Minutesrx Town of Reading 'RECEIVED
Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK
i 3E READING, MA.
Board - Committee -Commission -Council: zais MAR 25 itM 9
Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study
Committee
Date: 2025-02-24 Time: 7:30 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Business Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Chair Joe Carnahan, Vice Chair Sarah Brukilacchio, Margaret Donnelly -
Moran, Sandy Matathia, Martha Moore; Advisory Member Katie Gallant
(remote)
Members - Not Present:
Carlo Bacci, Eric Gaffen
Others Present:
Ganesh Ramachandran (remote), Christopher Cook (remote), Karen Rose -
Gillis (remote)
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held in -person in the Town Hall Conference Room and remotely via Zoom.
Call to Order and Welcome
Chair Joe Carnahan called the meeting to order at 7:31 pm.
Roll call attendance: Margaret Donnelly -Moran, Sarah Brukilacchio, Sandy Matathia, Martha
Moore, Katie Gallant (remote), Joe Carnahan.
Not present: Carlo Bacci and Eric Gaffen.
Ganesh Ramachandran, who led Natick's CPA initiative, joined the meeting to share his
experience with Natick's successful adoption of the Community Preservation Act. He
discussed his background in architecture, planning, and urban design, and his involvement
with the Affordable Housing Trust in Natick. He explained that his motivation for pursuing
the CPA was born out of selfishness for the committee he serves and desperation due to the
lack of funds. He also shared that Natick had previously voted against the CPA in 2006, but
since then, the demographics have changed significantly, and the community has grown
more progressive.
Mr. Ramachandran explained that Natick decided not to form a study committee, as it
started during COVID, and the Study Committee in 2006 recommended adoption, which had
not changed. Instead, they formed an ad hoc coalition of long-time residents, people who
have been involved in town politics, and people who were skilled with graphic design
programs, whose skills came in handy. During their campaign, there was talk of an
override, but they were able to fend that off by being strategic on who spoke at Town
Meeting. He also mentioned that they held off on putting the CPA on the ballot until the
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2022 State Election, on the recommendation of the Community Preservation Coalition, as
the odds of it passing were much higher during these elections. He attributed the
successful CPA adoption to the demographics of the town, the increase in housing prices,
the people who came together and mobilized, and the timing of the election.
Mr. Ramachandran recommended possibly having a Community Preservation Plan in parallel
to the CPA advocacy committee, so that if CPA gets passed, the plan would be ready.
Mr. Ramachandran continued to answer questions posed by the Study Committee. The
Natick coalition raised $8,934, and expended $8400. The remainder was donated to three
local non -profits that work on homelessness and emergency housing assistance. The Natick
coalition recommended a 1% surcharge, based on a recommendation from neighboring
Framingham. They would have preferred to ask for a higher percentage, but would rather
get 1% than nothing, and 1% seemed to work with messaging. Four out of the five of
Natick's Select Board members were supportive of CPA adoption.
Affordable Housina Pillar Discussion
Margaret Donnelly -Moran and Katie Gallant, Executive Director of the Reading Housing
Authority, provided information on how CPA for affordable housing could benefit Reading.
CPA for affordable housing can help Individuals and families struggling with rising rents and
stagnant wages to have safe and stable homes; faster diversity and inclusivity in
neighborhoods; improve educational outcomes, economic opportunities, and health; support
sustainable building practices; promote community investment; increase property values;
and create jobs in the local economy.
The need for affordable housing in Reading is great, as according to the 2023 Housing
Production Plan, 33.1% of Reading's population is at or below 80% of area median income.
A significant amount of both renters and owners are cost burdened. The wait for affordable
housing in Reading is long. A veteran might need to wait three years or more. For people
without veteran status, the wait is closer to ten years.
Allowed uses of CPA funds Include acquiring, creating, and supporting affordable housing;
rehabilitating and restoring housing that was acquired with CPA funds; and appropriating
funds to the Affordable Housing Trust. More specific potential uses include capacity
building, such as funding a part-time housing planner; predevelopment activities, such as
conducting feasibility studies; housing production, including purchasing land or buildings for
affordable housing; preservation and improvement, such as running a housing rehab
program, and improving accessibility to affordable units; and financial assistance, such as
rental or down payment assistance.
Suggested CPA uses for Reading include hiring a half-time housing planner, pre -
development and construction funding for creation and preservation of affordable housing,
renovating or adding units to Housing Authority parcels, providing rehabilitation funds to
low -Income seniors allowing them to age -in -place, and establishing a down payment
assistance program.
Presentation of selected materials from Winchester and Natick's CPA adoption
processes
Joe Carnahan stated that following the last meeting, he received materials from
Winchester's CPA representative, Mike Bettencourt. However, it was materials from their
campaign, which a ballot committee may be able to use in the future.
Discuss Future Meetings and Agendas
At the next meeting on March 240, Recreation is scheduled to present pending staff
availability. Assistant Town Manager, Jayne Wellman, will also attend the next meeting to
share Tewksbury's experience with CPA. Other planned presentations are Historical at the
May meeting, and Conservation at the June meeting. Other future agenda topics include
the financial impact, and report to the Select Board.
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Approve Prior Meeting Minutes: January 28, 2025
On a motion by Martha Moore, seconded by Sandy Matathia, the Ad Hoc
Community Preservation Act Study Committee voted 5-0-0 to approve the meeting
minutes of January 28, 2025 as presented.
Roll call vote: Margaret Donnelly -Moran - Yes, Sarah Brukilacchio - Yes, Sandy
Matathia - Yes, Martha Moore - Yes, Joe Carnahan - Yes.
On a motion by Margaret Donnelly -Moran, seconded by Sandy Matathia, the Ad
Hoc Community Preservation Act Study Committee voted 5-0-0 to adjourn at 9:18
pm.
Roll call vote: Margaret Donnelly -Moran - Yes, Sarah Brukilacchio - Yes, Sandy
Matathia - Yes, Martha Moore - Yes, Joe Carnahan - Yes.
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