HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-14 Affordable Housing Trust Minutes
North Andover Affordable Housing Trust
Meeting Minutes
November 14, 2023
Present: Laurie Burzlaff, Richard Vaillancourt, George Koehler, Christopher Jee, Peter
Koesterherm and Robert Bernardin
Absent: Joan Fitzgibbons
Meeting was called to order at 5:31PM in the Select Board Meeting Room at Town Hall.
Housing Production Plan stakeholder committee
Jean Enright provided an update on this committee. It is a working group of the planning
department, the Housing Authority Director. Peter Koesterherm will join the group at future
meetings and can update the Trustees. To date there have been internal meetings to discuss
existing conditions. It is a regional effort with Merrimack Valley Planning. There was a listening
session with residents and the feedback was that there is limited opportunity to downsize or for
starter homes. Affordability was also an issue. The town has 780 multifamily housing units
permitted (market rate rentals) and are at 90% occupancy. The state has filed a new mandate
regarding Accessory Dwelling Units. Accessory Dwelling Units is a goal of the Select Board so
planning will be looking at a zoning bylaw regarding this as well. Long term goal of the HPP
group is for zoning amendments to improve downtown along with making sure we are in
compliance with Housing Choice which expires in 2025.
149 Main Street (inclusionary zoning) project updates
Jean Enright indicated that they closed on the property in October. The plan was for a total of 24
units but they may be looking to downsize that. They are required to put 3 affordable units in
under the current plan. They would have to go back to the Planning Board if they change the
plan. Since they have closed it does not appear they will be coming to the Trust for any funds.
Fountain Drive discussion/update
Maggie Cleary, the Director of the Housing Authority, stated that they received a $35,000
technical assistance grant from Mass Housing. Mass Housing developed a plan for 3 duplexes
for a total of 6 units, although it was suggested they try to do more units because developers
aren’t interested in smaller developments. They suggested the HA consider selling the property.
The HA Board was not interested in that and losing control. Habitat for Humanity presented to
the HA Board about their interest in Fountain Drive. They want to build 3 duplexes with 6 units
which would not disturb the ground water. The Board has been told it would be about one
million dollars to address that issue which was part of the original plan. Habitat would be
ownership units (condex) which appealed to the HA Board. At their next meeting the HA Board
will discuss issuing a Request for Proposals for disposing the land to a nonprofit. The Trust
discussed removing the earmark for Fountain Drive and terminating the grant agreement with the
Housing Authority. Ms. Cleary was fine with that as they do not need it.
Christopher Jee made a motion to terminate the grant agreement with the North Andover
Housing Authority for consultants for Fountain Drive. Motion approved 6-0.
Laurie Burzlaff made a motion, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt to remove the earmark for
$350,000 originally allocated for the Fountain Drive project. Motion approved 6-0.
Approve minutes of August 8, 2023
Mr. Koehler asked to amend the minutes to include the amount of the loan ($128,000) that was
approved for Bread and Roses.
Motion made by George Koehler, seconded by Laurie Burzlaff to approve the minutes of
August 8, 2023 as amended. Motion approved 5-0-1. Mr. Jee abstained.
Approve minutes of October 12, 2023
Mr. Vaillancourt indicated that the members in attendance were not listed.
Motion made by Richard Vaillancourt, seconded by Christopher Jee, to approve the minutes of
October 12, 2023, as amended. Motion approved 5-0-1. Ms. Burzlaff abstained.
Treasurer’s Report
Financials were distributed to the Committee. Mr. Koehler asked for the spreadsheet that lists
the balances for the trust’s allocations be update and distributed with the Treasurer’s Report.
20 Brown Court
Christopher Jee distributed a letter from AnnMary O’Connor of Bread and Roses giving an
update. The Board is concerned that an updated pro forma has not been received given that the
asbestos removal was not listed on the original pro forma. Mr. Jee will ask Ms. O’Connor for an
updated proforma.
Senior Home Repair Program
Tabled until next meeting. Ms. Burzlaff will look into whether the Town can administer on their
own.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion for adjournment made by Laurie Burzlaff, seconded by Peter Koesterherm . Motion
approved 6-0.
MEETING MATERIALS:
Minutes
Financials
Letter from Bread & Roses