HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-16 Affordable Housing Trust Minutes
North Andover Affordable Housing Trust
Meeting Minutes
March 16, 2022
Present: Laurie Burzlaff, Christopher Jee, George Koehler, Roger Lawson and Robert Bernardin, Richard
Vaillancourt
Absent: Joan Fitzgibbons
Meeting was called to order at 5:32 p.m. Chair Jee read the following statement:
Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021, this meeting will be conducted via remote means only.
Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and/or
parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the Town’s website, at
www.northandoverma.gov. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to watch the meeting may do so
on their televisions by tuning to Comcast Channel 8, Verizon Channel 26, or online at
www.northandovercam.org. Every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the
proceedings in real time, via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts,
we will post on the Town website an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of
proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting.
Approve minutes of February 15, 2022
Motion made by Richard Vaillancourt, seconded by George Koehler to approve the meeting minutes of February
15, 2022, as presented. Motion approved by roll call vote 6-0.
Treasurer’s Update
Mr. Bernardin stated the balance is $866,655.60. No activity except for interest income and GLCAC rental
assistance payment.
Discussion regarding Fountain Drive project
The Trustees discussed how to move forward with Fountain Drive. Mr. Bernardin explained that a project this size
would not qualify for tax credits but there is another program that is for developments under 20 units. He spoke
with Dave Levy from Gloucester who is willing to talk to us about the process. Mr. Bernardin will reach out to him
for more information.
Maggie Cleary from the Housing Authority stated that she looks forward to bringing the consultant and their
expertise on as she is starting to think about how she would fund maintenance, etc. once the project is complete.
She has reached out to Chelmsford for guidance and they have received a lot of requests for help so they are
thinking of doing a training. The Trustees stated they will provide Maggie with whatever assistance she needs in
hiring the consultant including drafting the scope of services and the request for proposals.
Ms. Burzlaff suggested the Trust give a grant to the Housing Authority to hire the consultant, rather than the Trust
hiring the consultant. Mr. Bernardin agreed that the owner of the property should be the one to hire the
consultant. Mr. Jee added that we don’t put them in a position where they have to come to a monthly committee
meeting to approve things. He also stated the trustees can add conditions to the grant agreement and he will
work on drafting an agreement to present at the next meeting.
Mr. Koehler stated the North Shore HOME Consortium is working on an action plan for their ARPA funds and they
should be having a meeting soon for public comment.
Planning ahead-brainstorming
Mr. Jee explained that he would like to have this as a regular agenda item so the trustee can give input on other
ways to use Trust funds. Ms. Burzlaff stated that the chair of the CPC contacted her about allocating additional
funds to the Trust next year because the trust can operate outside of Town Meeting. Mr. Koehler would like to see
the trust fund small projects, like the ones done in the past for Bread and Roses. Ms. Burzlaff suggested the
trustees may want to consider increasing the amount for the down payment assistance program. Mr. Koehler
suggested additional funds for the rental assistance program.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Laurie Burzlaff, seconded by Robert Bernardin, to adjourn the meeting at 6:30PM. Motion
approved by roll call vote 6-0.
MEETING MATERIALS:
Minutes of February 15, 2022
Bank statements