HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-11 Affordable Housing Trust Minutes
North Andover Affordable Housing Trust
Meeting Minutes
June 11, 2024
Present: Laurie Burzlaff, Richard Vaillancourt, George Koehler, Peter Koesterherm (remote),
Joan Fitzgibbons, Robert Bernardin and Christopher Jee.
Meeting was called to order at 5:35PM in the Select Board Meeting Room at Town Hall.
Approve minutes of April 2, 2024
Laurie Burzlaff made a motion, seconded by Joan Fitzgibbons to approve the minutes of April
2, 2024 as presented. Motion approved 7-0.
Meegan
in Place/Home Repairs
program. Repairs they do range from $3,000 to $25,000. There is no bottom income limit but cap
is 60% AMI. Clients are primarily elderly and disabled. When they receive an application, they
look at the overall house structure and the request of the homeowner. They focus on critical life
safety or preserving life of the home. They have different funding resources to cover the cost of
repairs. They charge a 20% fee for their services. They employ a full time construction
supervisor and only use one or two skilled volunteers for rehabilitation projects. The typically
receive referrals from Board of Heath, Senior Center, veterans. They have capacity to take on
ider a flat fee
nce. An affordable restriction can be placed on
the property for a certain number of years. Laurie suggested Town Counsel determine if a
restriction has to be done and for how long.
T
Financials were distributed to the Committee. The current available funds are $577,000.00. Mr.
Koehler commented that the rental assistance funds are not being used very quickly. Ms.
Burzlaff explained it is because Greater Lawrence Community Action Council has also been
getting the HOME funds from the Town for the last several years so they are using that money
first.
Senior Home Repair Program
Trustees felt Habitat would be a good fit for the Home Repair Program. Mr. Koesterherm
suggested with see how it goes for a year and then revisit the fee structure. Ms. Burzlaff
suggested we do not limit to just seniors but open to all that income qualify.
Joan Fitzgibbons made a motion, seconded by Peter Koesterherm to allocate $100,000 for
an appropriate agreement with Habitat for Humanity. Motion approved 7-0.
The Trustees discussed whether we want to review every project prior to providing funds. Mr.
Bernardin suggested we have a high level review but no micro manage. We can ask Habitat to
send us the proposed agreement.
Laurie Burzlaff made a motion, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt, to appoint Christopher Jee
and Robert Bernardin to negotiate an agreement with Habitat for Humanity for the home
repair program.
Brown Court Update
Mr. Jee
have applied for a Charlesbank grant and waiting to hear on that. They are in the process of
th
merging and will have a public announcement by June 30.
New representative for Master Plan Implementation Committee
Mr. Vaillancourt explained what is required for the committee as he was the Select Board
representative. Mr. Koesterherm stated he was interested.
Richard Vaillancourt made a motion, seconded by Joan Fitzgibbons to appoint Peter
Koesterherm to the Master Plan Implementation Committee. Motion approved 7-0.
Mr. Koehler decided not to seek reappointment as a trustee. The Trustees thanked him for his
tremendous contributions and his 17 years of volunteer service to the town as a member of the
Trust.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion for adjournment made by Laurie Burzlaff seconded by Richard Vaillancourt at
7:05PM. Motion approved 7-0.
MEETING MATERIALS:
Minutes
Financials
Habitat Presentation