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News/Events - Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF MEETING:

Call to Order

Chairman Patricia Butler called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM.

Present:
Patricia Butler, Mary Dean, Susan Blair, Edward McCann

Absent: Ethel Wheatley

Also Present:
Paul DeLeo, Executive Director and Secretary to the Board
Joseph Armstrong, Pro Bono Affordable Housing Consultant
Alma Morrison, a Director of the South Shore Community Development Corp., and Joanne Fraser, Scituate resident.

1. The Board reviewed the June 5 Open Meeting at St. Mary’s Parish Center, and considered other information and questions relating to the development of the 7-acre parcel of land at The Driftway and New Kent Street.

a. Patricia Butler re-iterated her support for the Homeownership option instead of using the property for the development of rental property because it was a good compromise between the town’s need for rental units and the neighbors’ preference that it be conservation land. Mary Dean, Susan Blair and Edward McCann agreed. They felt that, considering the comments and discussion at the meeting and the immediate and evident need for affordable housing in Scituate, the Board should confirm its intention to develop affordable housing on that site.

b. Mary Dean reported she found in her review of historical documents on this matter that the use of the property may be restricted to rental housing, and building homes for sale may require a legal decision.

c. The Board discussed the availability of Community Preservation Committee (CPC) funds to cover all or part of the development costs. Joseph Armstrong proposed an application for “staged” funding, with initial site examination costs of up to approximately $15,000 to be requested from the CPC’s Administrative discretionary funds, and subsequent costs, if warranted by positive initial site examination results, to be requested from CPC Affordable Housing funds at the town meeting in October. Mr. Armstrong suggested that conceptual design drawings would be helpful in assuring support at the town meeting.

d. Patricia Butler will ascertain if town meeting approval for use of CPC Affordable Housing funds for would be available immediately or not until July 2007.

e. Paul DeLeo will explore the availability of development funds at DHCD.

f. The Board will meet on Saturday, July 1 at 10:00 AM to walk the Driftway site.

g. Paul DeLeo will post the approved minutes of the June 5 meeting on the SHA web page.

2. The Board considered Joseph Armstrong’s proposed agreement for pro-bono affordable housing consulting services.

a. Mr. Armstong re-iterated his offer, as well as the need to proceed with several aspects of the project simultaneously, and to adhere to proven development practices.

b. The Board members expressed their concern for examining options, and maintaining an understanding of the process and their ability to control it, as they are politically accountable for the disposition of that parcel.

The meeting adjourned at 6:15.