Minutes
Wellfleet Local Housing Partnership
Minutes of 24 May 2018
Present: Gary Sorkin, Barbra Knapp, Sharon Inger, Judy Taylor, Paul Cullity, John Cumbler, Anne Suggs, Sharon Rule-Agger
Approve minutes of 5 April 2018 Meeting.Cullity moved, Inger seconded, unanimous approval.
95 Lawrence Road. Article 25 was indefinitely postponed so that the entire 9+ acre lot at 95 Lawrence Rd can be studied as a possible site for affordable housing and, if feasible, town hall annex. In the time since, it has been made clear that any such study is the responsibility of the Housing Authority and Local Housing Partnership. A lengthy discussion followed about just how to do this. It was felt in the group that there is some urgency in moving forward with the small momentum established. An important decision will be the number of units that are possible, desirable and deemed likely to meet community approval. It was agreed to meet with the WHA to see if we could create a joint task force. Some very tentative discussions were previously had with East Cape Engineering and may be useful going forward. Can the WHA apply some Trust money toward a study? Further informal (non binding) conversations will be had with the developer of the Bracket Rd project in Eastham, Stratford Capital Group, Ted Malone and CDC to determine the best way to develop a preliminary proposal for the site. This would need to be put to the Select Board hopefully in the fall for possible presentation at Spring 2019 Town Meeting. Anticipating some resistance to a project of any scale at this location, Rule-Agger and Suggs will meet with developers and possibly residents of some regional affordable housing projects and research “What makes a good project?”
Workforce Housing Assistance Project: also approved at Town Meeting was $100,000 for a special fund to assist first time home buyers at 80-100% AMI with small amounts of money (up to $20,000) that might make a difference in their ability to buy a year round home in Wellfleet. Further discussion is required to clarify the terms of this assistance. Is it a loan? A gift? Will it affect their mortgage? Can it be used for repairs or better for closing costs, etc? Can it be forgivable after a period of time? Should it be payed back on sale of property with some percent of increase in value added? Agreed that it should be as simple as possible. WHA is working on this.
Town Meeting Articles:All proposed were passed.
- < >lawsuit continues, has cost WHA about $10,000 to date. Paine Hollow: lawsuit proceeding. 2082 State Highway: Formation of a HOA (Home Owners Association) was holding up process but that is complete and approved by Planning Board. We are approaching the end of the 21 day Appeal Deadline and if none materialize, the project is set to begin in Fall 2019. Old King’s Highway: process is moving forward. 20 Oyster Lane: Buyer is having difficulty acquiring a mortgage, seller must be out by mid-June and needs the money. 60 Oyster Lane: still waiting for son/heir to be found eligible.
New Business: The Wellfleet Affordable Housing website needs updating and maintenance in the future. Rule-Agger and Suggs have volunteered to review the site and come to next meeting with suggestions for approval and then will (getting help) will upload changes. Jeff Tash has password. The Rental Assistance funds were originally conceived as short term (1-2 years) but current renters have long term needs. Funds are running low and new/additional source of funds must be found. An application to the Board of Human Services Committee will be made by a June 1st deadline. Housing Buy Down: WHA will be running two more Housing Buy Downs in Fall, 2018 with a $150,000 buy down available to qualified buyers. Barbara Knapp has announced that she will be stepping down in June as she is retiring from the bank and does not live in Wellfleet.