HomeMy WebLinkAboutAHTMeetingMinutes_10.27.15 North Andover
Affordable Housing Trust
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday October 27,2015
Town Hall, 1St Floor Conference Room
Present: G. Koehler, L. Burzlaff, R. Bernardin,J. Fitzgibbons, R. Lawson
Staff: J. Enright, B. Wolstromer
The AHT meeting on October 27, 2015 was called to order at 4:00 p.m.
MOTION on Approval of Minutes from the August 11,2015 Meeting:J. Fitzgibbons motioned to accept the AHT
minutes for the Tuesday August 11, 2015 meeting. R. Bernardin seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0, unanimous in
favor.
MOTION on Approval of Minutes from the August 31, 2015 Meeting: L. Burzlaff motioned to accept the AHT minutes
for the MONDAY August 31, 2015 meeting. R. Bernardin seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0, unanimous in favor.
NOTE:There was no quorum available for the September 15, 2015 meeting.
Note: During the following discussion, G. Koehler disclosed that he is a volunteer for, and a member of the Board of
Directors of, Merrimack Valley Habitat For Humanity.
Discussion:The AHT discussed whether or not to support Bread & Roses Housing's purchase of 30 Troy Road. BRH made
an offer to the mortgage holder of$100,000 and the lender responded with a request for proof of funds or a
commitment letter for those funds. The discussion centered on whether or not to issue such a letter.
L. Burzlaff said a complicating development in the potential project is that she has learned the wife of the former
homeowner is named on the mortgage even though she is not on the deed. This complication may mean that the
simplest and fastest way forward is to put the home into receivership. L. Burzlaff will contact S.Sawyer, Health Director,
to discuss receivership.
G. Koehler mentioned that since all interested parties believe the best use of the land going forward is to tear down the
existing house and build anew, Merrimack Valley Habitat has begun discussions with BRH about a partnership where
BRH would buy and own the land, and MVHH would build the house and hold the mortgage.
L. Burzlaff recommended the AHT issue a commitment letter so that a special meeting would
not have to be called if it should turn out that a short sale is possible.
MOTION: L. Burzlaff motioned that AHT issue a commitment letter to Bread & Roses Housing for up to$125K for the
purchase of 30 Troy Road. J. Fitzgibbons seconded the motion.The vote was 5-0 unanimous in favor.
G. Koehler apologized for the mistake made on the agenda which should note 127-131 Marblehead Street (vs. 261-263
Middlesex Street).
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R. Bernardin questioned accountability with regard to the amount of monies the AHT has expended, and wondered if
the AHT might want to require a project status update from BRH. G. Koehler agreed to invite Bread & Roses Housing to
our next meeting to update the Trust on 64/66 May Street.
R. Lawson reported he has commitments from landscaping and fencing companies for pro bono services at 64/66 May
Street.
L. Burzlaff noted she met with Eric Kfoury and Evelyn Friedman of the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, an
agency from Lawrence similar to Bread & Roses, interested in working in the Merrimack Valley, possibly with the AHT.
The trustees urged G. Koehler to invite them to present to the AHT at a future meeting.
Other potential properties discussed: 70 May Street, 127-131 Marblehead Street, and 27 Bradford Street.The trustees
inquired about 66 Herrick Road. The bank rejected BRH's offer, and for now this property is no longer under
consideration.
The committee thanked L. Burzlaff for all her investigative efforts toward finding new properties and taking a proactive
approach on behalf of the AHT which has resulted in progress for the AHT.
L. Burzlaff pointed out to the trustees that the Community Development Plan of 2005 contained the following
recommendation: "Develop a target list of single-family, multi-family and condominium properties for
acquisition/rehabilitation in exchange for permanently affordable housing units, and establish a funding pool with CPA
revenue." (Housing recommendation#5 on page IV in the Executive Summary) A link to the complete plan is on the
Community and Economic Development Office page.
Meeting adiourned at 5:00 p.m. (L. Burzlaff motioned to adjourn. R. Bernardin seconded the motion.
(The vote was 5-0, unanimous in favor.)
NEXT MEETING: November 10, 2015 @ 4 p.m. in Town Hall.
MEETING MATERIALS: October 27, 2015 Agenda; DRAFT Meeting minutes August 11, 2015 & DRAFT Meeting minutes
August 31, 2015.
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