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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-09 Affordable Housing Trust Minutes North Andover Affordable Housing Trust Meeting Minutes February 9, 2021 Present: Laurie Burzlaff, Roger Lawson, Christopher Jee, Joan Fitzgibbons, George Koehler, Robert Bernardin, Richard Vaillancourt and Jean Enright Meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m Chairman Burzlaff read the following: Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the North Andover Affordable Housing Trust will be conducted via remote participation. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings as provided for in the Order. Persons who would like to listen to the meeting while in progress may do so by tuning in on their televisions to Comcast Channel 8 or Verizon Channel 26 or online at www.northandovercam.org. If you have public comments, please email lburzlaff@northandoverma.gov. Approval of Minutes from November 17, 2020 Motion made by George Koehler, seconded by Robert Bernardin to approve the meeting minutes of November 17, 2020, as presented. Roll call vote: Koehler-yes; Jee-yes; Bernardin- yes; Fitzgibbons-yes; Lawson-yes; Vaillancourt-abstained; Burzlaff-yes. Motion approved 6-0-1. Update from Treasurer Treasurer, Robert Bernardin, gave an update on the balance in the Affordable Housing Trust Account which is $772,165.87. Update on Rental Assistance Program Ms. Burzlaff provided an update on the 2 rental assistance programs. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program has ended as all funds have been depleted (total of $205,000, including administration costs). The Long Term Rental Assistance Program has $60,000 in Trust funds available to use. Mr. Jee asked if there is more need and should the Trust think about additional funding. Ms. Burzlaff explained that Greater Lawrence Community Action Council is able to assist with residents through the RAFT program. Discussion on funding program to assist residents below 30% AMI George Koehler, the Trustee representative on the Master Plan Implementation Committee, indicated that the Master Plan has as a strategy for the Trust to assist residents that fall below the 30% AMI. Approximately 1000 residents earn 30% or less of the Area Median Income. The Trustees reviewed the information provided by Mr. Koehler and discussed options to satisfy that strategy in the Master Plan. Options included a rental assistance program for this income bracket or teaming up with the Housing Authority to build at Fountain Drive. A concern was raised about the need to limit funding as the Trust has no recurring income. The Trustees agreed to discuss further at the next meeting. Application to Community Preservation Committee for FY2022 At the last meeting, the Trustees agreed to submit the Community Preservation application for a first time home buyer program. Ms. Burzlaff presented the application that was submitted to the CPC. Mr. Jee agreed to review programs from other towns and provide information at a future meeting about options for the Town’s program and how best to implement. The Trustees discussed the need to research whether the Town or a third party would manage. Robert Bernardin made a motion, seconded by Joan Fitzgibbons to approve the Affordable Housing Trust application to the Community Preservation Committee. Roll call vote: Bernardin-yes, Fitzgibbons-yes; Jee-yes; Koehler-yes; Vaillancourt-yes, Burzlaff-yes. Motion approved 7-0. Discussion regarding the promotion of accurate facts about affordable housing Ms. Burzlaff expressed her concern over statements on social media regarding affordable housing. The Trustees were given a copy of the flyer that Barnstable used to explain affordable housing. Mr. Koehler will get the statistics to be used on an informational document to address misconceptions about affordable housing. Ms. Burzlaff will see if the Town can get an intern from Merrimack College to help. ADJOURNMENT Richard Vaillancourt made a motion seconded by Robert Bernardin to adjourn the meeting at 6:30PM. Roll call vote: Bernardin-yes, Fitzgibbons-yes; Jee-yes; Koehler-yes; Lawson-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Burzlaff-yes. Motion approved 7-0 MEETING MATERIALS: Master Plan strategy Minutes of November 17, 2020 Financials Report from Greater Lawrence Community Action Council CPC application Sample Affordable Housing Information