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<br /> <br />Hornig recommended that anyone who has not had formal Fair Housing training attend one of <br />these presentations. <br />Ms. Manz had sent mail saying that the Select Board was considering uses for the property at <br />173 Bedford Street. Mr. Sandeen asked the AHT for its opinion as to the suitability of the <br />property for housing. The Select Board did not ask the HPB for input. Ms. Manz asked Ms. <br />Byrnes to attend the Select Board meeting which would consider uses for the property at 173 <br />Bedford Street. <br />Ms. Byrnes reported that playing fields are being put in where the school district central office <br />building is currently located, so those offices must be relocated. One suggestion is that the <br />offices be relocated to 173 Bedford Street, which is temporarily in use for the police department <br />while the new police building is being built. However, 173 Bedford Street is one of three parcels <br />that are part of the LDA feasibility study, which has just been finalized. Ms. Byrnes also noted <br />that the property is also being considered as swing space for other building projects and the <br />building could be in use as swing space for the next 10 years. In that case, affordable housing on <br />that site is likely 17 years out. <br />At the meeting, the Select Board did not approve the $6M that was requested for upgrades so <br />that the building would be suitable for the school offices. The Select Board will investigate the <br />cost of leasing space for the school offices and choose the less expensive option between <br />leasing and improving the 173 Bedford Street building. <br />The Select Board did consider and are talking about the importance of affordable housing. The <br />preliminary report from LDA indicates that affordable housing might be the best use of the <br />property. A decision must be made by fall Town Meeting in order for the school offices to be <br />moved according to the current schedule. <br />Ms. Byrnes requested that the HPB be a participant in the process of deciding usage of the <br />building for affordable housing. <br />Mr. Pressman said that at the beginning of the meeting it was Mark Sandeen who raised the <br />matter of renting space for the school administration and then housing would be an option at <br />that location. Mr. Pato raised the possibility that if school population increased that the building <br />might be used for school space. Ms. Arens said that the preliminary report is posted at the Town <br />website. The HPB should review this report. <br />Ms. Kowalski has been working with LDA on the draft full report and it will be available in the <br />Select Board packet for January 12. Ms. Manz asked that everyone on the HPB read the report <br />and be prepared for a discussion at the next meeting. <br />10. Approve Minutes of November 30, 2023 <br />Ms. Weiss moved approval of the minutes of November 30. Mr. Zhao seconded the motion. <br />In favor: Ms. Weiss, Ms. Cohen, Mr. Pressman, Ms. Heitz, Ms. Byrnes, Mr. Hornig, Ms. <br />Thompson, Mr. Zhao, Ms. Manz <br />Against: <none>