HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-02 Affordable Housing Trust Minutes
North Andover Affordable Housing Trust
Meeting Minutes
March 2, 2021
Present: Laurie Burzlaff, Roger Lawson, Christopher Jee, Joan Fitzgibbons, George Koehler, Robert Bernardin and
Richard Vaillancourt
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 99 or
Verizon Channel 28 or online at www.northandovercam.org. If you have public comments, please email
lburzlaff@northandoverma.gov.
Approval of Minutes from February 9, 2021
Motion made by Joan Fitzgibbons, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt to approve the meeting minutes of February
9, 2021, as presented. Roll call vote: Koehler-yes; Jee-yes; Bernardin- yes; Fitzgibbons-yes; Lawson-yes;
Vaillancourt-yes; Burzlaff-yes. Motion approved 7-0.
Affordable Housing fact sheet/Royal Crest input
Greg Lane from Next Generation Strategies working with the Royal Crest developers joined the meeting and
offered to share data he has with regard to work force housing and the need. Mr. Lane stated the density of the
development allows for affordable units to attract younger people out of the city. George Koehler indicated there
is neighborhood opposition to the project but there were identified needs in the Master Plan and Housing
Production Plan. Mr. Koehler indicated the need for a marketing plan with information on what the units would be
selling and what the median price would be. Mr. Koehler and Mr. Lane agreed to speak outside of the meeting to
share information.
Discussion on funding program to assist residents below 30% AMI
This matter was tabled until the next meeting.
Application to Mass Housing Partnership for technical assistance/CPC application
Ms. Burzlaff presented a grant application for technical assistance from Mass Housing Partnership for the first time
homebuyer program. Mr. Koehler and Mr. Jee provided input on the application and data was received from Jean
Enright.
George Koehler made a motion, seconded by Roger Lawson to approve the MHP Technical Assistance Grant
application. Roll call vote: Bernardin-yes, Fitzgibbons-yes; Jee-yes; Koehler-yes; Vaillancourt-yes, Burzlaff-yes.
Motion approved 7-0.
Ms. Burzlaff indicated that she will most likely be asked to attend the next CPC meeting to discuss their application
and wanted to discuss what the Trustees were thinking for basic requirements of the first time homebuyer
program. Joan Fitzgibbons stated that it should be a limit of $30,000. The average price for a condo is around
$300,000. The median sale price for a single family home is $546,000. Ms. Burzlaff stated that there will be a
requirement for an affordable housing restriction to be placed on the property so there needs to be some
incentive for the buyers to agree to that. The Trustees discussed which Area Median Income cap should be used.
When using CPC funds, income can be up to 100% AMI.
Discussion regarding new chair
Mr. Jee stated that he checked with ethics and he can serve as chair; however would not be able to serve as point
of contact for any items with DHCD since he works there. The trustees will vote on a new chair at a meeting prior
to July 1.
ADJOURNMENT
George Koehler made a motion seconded by Joan Fitzgibbons to adjourn the meeting at 6:10PM. Roll call vote:
Bernardin-yes, Fitzgibbons-yes; Jee-yes; Koehler-yes; Lawson-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Burzlaff-yes. Motion
approved 7-0
MEETING MATERIALS:
Minutes of February 9, 2021
MHP application