Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
20220202T151253
Saved text from 2 of 2 source pages. Transcription and OCR may contain errors; verify figures and wording against the original.
Source page 1
CANTON AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST Members: Charles Aspinwall, Lisa Lopez, Michael Loughran, David McCarthy, John McSweeney, William Scollins, Laura Smead MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2022 Salah Meeting Room — Canton Town Hall 801 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021 3:30 — 4:30 pm All members of the Trust were present excepting Mike Loughran. John McSweeney, and Laura Smead participated remotely on zoom. Housing Production Plan consultant Jen Goldson and her colleague Jamie Shalvey, participated in part of the meeting remotely by zoom I. Acceptance of minutes from December 7w, 2021. Minutes were accepted 6-0-0. Note: Mike Loughran was not in attendance for the acceptance of minutes vote. 2. Canton Housing Production Plan Kick Off with JM Goldson LLC a. Jenn Goldson from JM Goldson LLC gave a brief presentation on project timeline (attached) b. In the interest of time, all Trust members were requested to fill out a Canton Housing Production Plan Project Launch Clarifier worksheet and send it to Laura Smead (attached). c. Laura Smead will consolidate all members' responses and send to Jenn Goldson. d. Jenn Goldson and Laura Smead will work on gathering background information and scheduling focus groups and Interviews in early to mid- February. 3. 47 Turtle Brook Road 40B condo foreclosure — affordable unit preservation discussion a. The Town is working with CHAPA, the bank attorney, and Town Counsel to find a resolution to preserve the unit as affordable. b. The Town could buy the condo directly from the current owner — or bid on the property as the bank goes through the foreclosure process. c. The Trust is a crucial mechanism in order to preserve this unit, and the Declaration of Trust must be filed in order to move forward with this unit. 4 neclaration of Trust discussion
Source page 2
a. Town Counsel reviewed and explained his written answers to written questions on the Trust powers and duties as set forth in the town meeting article establishing the Trust (a copy of town counsel's legal opinion is attached hereto). i. The Trustees, not the Select Board members are those authorized by the approved warrant article to sign the Declaration of Trust and file the document. (That said, the Select Board may decide to join with the Trustees in signing and recording the Trust.) ii. Once the Declaration of Trust is signed/filed, going forward the Trust is authorized to approve and execute contracts with consultants without any further approval of the Select Board. iii. Select Board approval would be needed for the Board of Trustees to employ lawyers and full-time or part-time staff. iv. Select Board approval would be needed to borrow money and purchase property (such as the 47 Turtle Brook condo). v. The Trust would be free to accept any grants or funds (such as contemplated by the application for a CPA grant to fund a part-time housing coordinator) without further Select Board approvals however, the actual contract/hiring for the employee must be approved by the Select Board. vi. The provisions of the Trust can only be changed if approved at a future Town meeting. lext steps and next meeting date a. A suggestion was made for representatives of the Trust to meet with representatives of the Select Board to discuss the concerns of some Select Board members relating to the Trusts powers and duties. Lisa Lopez to arrange a meeting date with Mike Loughran. Due to Ms. Lopez and Mr. Loughran both being members of the Housing Trust and the Select Board, it may not be possible to hold such a meeting of representatives unless it is a posted, open meeting of both groups. b. Though it was established that the Trustees are the proper parties to sign and file the Declaration of Trust, it was decided not to go forward with such action until after the meeting between representatives of the Trust and Select Board. c. The Trust will hold its next solo meeting on February 2nd 2022.