HomeMy WebLinkAboutAHTMeetingMinutes_05.03.16 1
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North Andover
Affordable Housing Trust
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday May%2016
1600 Osgood street,Community&Economic Development Conference Room
Present: G. Koehler(Chairperson)i, B. Bernardin (Treasurer),J. Fitzgibbons, B. Law son, L. Burzlaff, S Bernard
Staff; B. Wolstror er
Guest: Gerry Maguire (Director veterans Affairs-Town of f A),Ted Tripp (Patriotic observance Commission, Chairman)
The AHT meeting on, May B, 2016 was called to order at 4:00 p.m.
MOTION on Approval of the DRAFT Minutesfro ebruar 2016 meetrrl : L. Burzlaff made a motion to accept the
February 2, 2016 Minutes, as amended. B. Bernardin seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0�, unanimous in favor.
Trieasurer"s Report.* R. Bernar'din reported that as of March 31, 2016 the AHT had$827,413.74 in available funds.This
includes the$,64K payment generated from May Street and $100K from the CPC. L. Bur Taff noted another$64K which
was generated M'ay 2, 2016 from the sale of the adjacent unit on May Street, is forthcoming.
Discussion
Guest veterans Affairs:
Gerry Maguire-. Introduced himself to the AHT and mentioned the various services available to both fer^nale and male
veterans of the Town. He mentioned the potential of utilizing the VA construction team and the utilization of the VA,as
potential bidders on future projects;with the VA being responsible for licenses.
Tedi Tri w Expressed the need for additional veterans housing in town. He would like to continue the success the local �
Veterans housing program has had and potentially partner with the AHT in the future.The High street location has the
ability,to house B veteran families. With professional assistance and counseling,the goal is for these families to
become independent homeowners in the future. He expressed that he is seeping new project opportunities and has
access to veteran candidates who could be potential future home buyers. He noted the AHT gives preference to North
Andover residents, but recognized the housing isn't necessarily credited toward to Town's affordability count. He
questioned whetherthe AHT would consider stipulating veteran's as a preference?
L. Burzlaff. L. Burzlaff explained the responsibility of the AHT is to serve all the residents of Forth Andover and that if .
veteran lives in Horth Andover; they would he considered eligible. All AHT properties have perpetual affordability
restrictions on thea based on income. We cannot sell these properties for moire than a certain amount.They are not
recognized in our"affordable housing inventory" because of the ""Forth Andover resident requirement".
G. Maguire:: Mentioned there is a female veteran currently paying$1600-1700 monthly rent at Royal gest and noted
she would be the perfect candidate, providing her credit was deemed reputable. He also noted VA home loans need to
be inspected and certified.
B. Bernardin Recently heard about VA dedicated female housing and wondered if that was a popular growing need?
G. Koehler: Identified that the AHT's role is as a "bank". We don't own or rent.veterans Affairs would need to approach
us with a;specific proposal or property in order for the AHT to consider it.
[Guests departed AHS"Meeting Soo p.m.
AHT ChairmanResignation:G. Koehler announced that he is resigning as Chairperson. G. Koehler asl ed L. Burzlaff if she
was interested in taping over as Chair. B. Bernard` has agreed to continue as Treasurer.The Committee discussed a
more formal procedure for electing new officials wnually or every two years. L Burzlaff noted the BOS has encouraged
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all Boards to elect new Chairs annually or every two years.There is nothing currently in the bylaw that references officer
elections;Trustees only.
MOTION: S. Bernard made a motion to elect L. Burzlaff as AHT Chairperson.J. Fitzgibbons seconded the motion. The
vote was 6-6 unanimous in favor.
L. Burzlaff asked the Committee what they thought of the idea of"buying" affordability restrictions, noting they would
most likely occur on smaller properties; condominiums worth approx. $200K, i.e.Sutton Pond, Heritage Green, Walker
Road. 0r identify it as a "down payment assistance program" placing it on the Municipal Lien Certificate as a municipal
grant.
Status of Potential Projects in North Andover:
L. Burzlaff reported on the status of two potential properties; 497 Wood Lane &70 May Street. As prospects, neither
have momentum, but may have promise.Time will tell.
Meting adjourne5:20 p.m. L. Burzlaff motioned to adjourn and R. Lawson seconded the motion.The vote was
unanimous in favor.
NEXT MEETING:T.B.D. based upon need. Location: Comm. & Economic Dev. Conference Room
MEETING MATERIALS: 5-3-16 AHT Agenda; DRAFT February 2, 2016 Minutes, George Koehler Letter of Resignation
Dated 4-14-2016,Affordability Housing Trust Fund-Revenue,The Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank Statement-Transaction
Activity,Account Trial Balance For FY16/ my-March MUNIS.
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