Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
CANTON AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST minutes 101421 final
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CANTON AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST Members Present: Charles Aspinwall, Lisa Lopez, Michael Loughran, David McCarthy, John McSweeney, William Scollins, Laura Smead MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12TH, 2021 Salah Meeting Room – Canton Town Hall 801 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021 10:00 – 11:00 AM AGENDA ITEMS: 1. Acceptance of minutes from September a. No changes or discussion b. Voted 7-0-0 to accept minutes 2. Declaration of Trust follow up a. No updates b. Charlie Aspinwall will follow up with Town Counsel 3. RFP for a Housing Consultant a. Randy Scollins had a couple of typo corrections b. David McCarthy requested that it be made more explicit that we are seeking some research into any deed restricted affordable housing permitted, but not yet put onto Canton’s subsidized housing inventory. Lisa Lopez agreed. c. The group discussed the information session date/time and process. d. Voted 7-0-0 to submit the RFP for a housing consultant, after making the changes. 4. Community Preservation Committee – Pre-Application for a Part-time Housing Coordinator a. Lisa Lopez clarified that the submitted pre-application was a placeholder, and we should discuss whether or not to move forward with a full application. b. Laura Smead described the pre-application submitted, the need, and the job description of a potential part-time housing coordinator. c. Randy Scollins raised the idea of making it 20 hours benefits eligible position, as a matter of principal. d. Laura Smead agreed that this was a professional level position, and she had some concerns about the quality and longevity of candidates if the hours or benefits were too low. e. Mike Loughran raised the concern that a staff position might be better funded through a more stable source of funding, like operations budget. He also expressed concern that there was no guarantee the position would be voted on favorably by the CCPC or voted in favor at Town Meeting. He wondered if this application might be premature. f. Laura Smead agreed that it was ideal to have a more permanent and stable source of funding for this position, but that this CPA request could be seen as a pilot, while long-term options were considered, such as a Regional Shared Housing Services Office, or a permanent staff position. The CPA request was only meant to be 2-years and then potentially change to something not grant funded. Whether the staff capacity was address through CPA or an
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operations budget request – the timeline remains roughly the same in order to meet Town Meeting deadlines. g. Charles Aspinwall stated that given the number of operational and staffing budget requests this year, it would be better to hold off on adding another one for the time being if this one could be paid for with Community Preservation funds. h. The group all agreed on the need for further staffing capacity in the area of housing to help implement the Housing Production Plan. i. The Trust voted 7-0-0 to move forward with a full Community Preservation Committee application for a part-time housing coordinator position. 5. General goals, tasks, and funding opportunities a. Group agreed that the operating approach of the Trust was both as policy-makers/initiators and as funders b. David McCarthy stated that a short-term goal is to confirm the number of housing units eligible to be on the subsidized housing inventory, while a long-term goal is to help meet the housing needs of the community. c. Mike Loughran said a long-term goal is to stay above the 10% threshold of deed restricted units. He sometimes feels overwhelmed at how much time and money might be needed to figure it out, but is happy that the Trust exists to make progress. d. Laura Smead expressed frustration at the continuing fear and misunderstanding over what affordable housing is – and the impacts of the community. 6. Website creation a. Laura Smead will update the existing Planning Department “Housing” page b. Laura will create a new “Housing Trust” webpage c. Laura will request that Louis move the “Housing Trust” webpage under the part of the website created for the Housing Trust Board, but retain her ability to update it 7. Next meeting date a. November 1st will be the informational session for potential RFP respondents; The board will meet in person, but the information session will be on Zoom. b. Laura will set up the room to accommodate the hybrid format. c. November 23rd and 10:30a will be the date to review and rank proposals submitted 8. The Board voted 7-0-0 to adjourn at 11:05am.