HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-11-AHTBT-min-copy
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Affordable Housing Trust
Meeting Minutes of June 11, 2024 12:30 pm
Hybrid meeting on Zoom and attended in-person in Parker room, Town office
building
Affordable Housing Trust Board Members present: Elaine Tung, Chair; William Erickson, Mark
Sandeen
Absent: Tiffany Payne, Linda Prosnitz
Staff present: Carol Kowalski, Assistant Town Manager for Development; Ragi Ramachandran,
Administrative Assistant; Stephanie Dubanowitz, Town Counsel; Mina Makarious, Town Counsel
Ms. Tung chaired the hybrid meeting and called the meeting to order at 12:33 pm.
Executive Session
Ms. Tung requested a motion to go into Executive session under Exemption 6 to discuss the
value of Parcel 68-44. The Affordable Housing Trust Chair stated that an open session might
have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Trust. Mr. Sandeen moved. Mr.
Erickson seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 3-0-0, by a roll call vote (Erickson
– yes, Tung – yes, Sandeen – yes).
The Trustees reconvened in the public session at the end of the Executive session at 1:16 pm.
1. Lowell St Parcel 68-44 RFP
The Trustees opened up the session for comments on the draft RFP from Town committees,
Boards and Commissions. Pat Moyer, Co-Chair of the Tree Committee asked if the trees in the
wetlands area will be undisturbed. Mr. Erickson responded that the intent was to leave them
undisturbed with the exception of situations such as, requiring removal of fallen trees or creating
a nature walk. Ms. Moyer asked about the provisions being considered for common area for
recreation. Ms. Moyer expressed that a stronger emphasis be placed on planting native trees.
She suggested including the criterion that if there are any new plantings that 70% of them be
native trees.
Mr. Sandeen mentioned a resident’s comment suggesting including in the RFP a reference to
Planning Board’s Site Plan Review Design regulation 12.6 on Landscaping. Ms. Kowalski advised
that during the 40B process those guidelines could be provided to the Zoning Board of Appeals
as needed.
There were no comments from general public on the draft RFP.
2. Approve Meeting Minutes
Ms. Tung requested a motion to approve the minutes of 3/4/24 Executive Session, 3/11/24
Executive Session and 4/22/24 regular session. Mr. Sandeen moved. Mr. Erickson seconded.
The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 3-0-0, by a roll call vote (Sandeen – yes, Erickson –
yes, Tung – yes). Meeting minutes approved.
3. Chair, Select Board, Board/Committee Liaison and RHSO/staff report
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Ms. Kowalski updated that the Housing Needs Assessment working group met on June 10 and
they are making progress.
Ms. Kowalski shared that there are two new MBTA applications that has come in for Piper road
and 89 Bedford St.
4. Pending Legislation
Ms. Tung stated that the two home rule petitions regarding commercial and development
surcharges are at danger of not being passed since the end of the legislative session is July 31 .
Ms. Tung will request Matt Daggett to share more details about the status of the two home rule
petitions in a future Affordable Housing Trust meeting.
Executive Session:
Mr. Sandeen moved for the Affordable Housing Trust to re-enter the Executive session under
Exemption 6 to discuss the value of Parcel 68-44. Mr. Erickson seconded. The Trustees voted in
favor of the motion 3-0-0, by a roll call vote (Erickson – yes, Sandeen – yes, Tung – yes).
The Trustees re-entered the Executive session at 1:40pm.
Ms. Tung stated that the Trust will not reconvene in the open session at the end of the Executive
session.