HomeMy Public PortalAboutAffordable Housing Trust -- 2019-09-16 Minutes Brewster Housing Trust
September 16, 2019 S :30pm Room A, Brewster Town Hall
Present: Ben deRuyter, Sarah Robinson, Paul Ruchinskas, Madalyn Hillis- Dineen, Donna Kalinick
Tim Hackert, Maggie Spade-Aguilar, Jill Scalise
Absent : None
1 . Call to Order: Chair deRuyter called the meeting to order at 5 : 31pm ,
2 . Citizen's Forum- None
36 Financial Report: Ms . Kalinick said this will be a regular item on our agenda from now on . The
Trust expended $ 1, 500 from the unrestricted cash ; leaving a balance of $ 187, 001 . The Trust has
spent $ 1, 225 from the CPC funding, leaving a balance of $ 98, 775 , 00 , The total funds available to
the Trust as of today are $ 285, 776 . 87 .
4. Discussion of reorganization, and appointment schedule, with approval of Housing Trust
Bylaw Change, also future meeting schedule : Ms. Kalinick explained that the bylaw change did
two things to stagger the terms after the initial two year appointment and to allow the Town
Administrator' s designee, as long as it is a staff person to be a non - Brewster resident. Ms.
Kalinick said that they elected a chair and other officers in November 2018 and because the first
term for everyone is two years, it makes more sense to continue with this structure until re-
appointments in May 2020, but we wanted to bring it forward for discussion . Everyone agreed
to continue with the organization as is until July 2020. Ms . Scalise said that the next regularly
scheduled meeting is on the 11t Thursday of month when the Community Engagement session
for Millstone is scheduled . Ms. Kalinick suggested that we meet at 5 so we will have enough
time to meet, then be available to greet people as they come in . Chair deRuyter asked if
everyone could do 5 :00 to 5 : 30. It was agreed to meet at 5 # 00pm ahead of the Community
Engagement Session .
S. Millstone Property Community Engagement Process : Meeting Thursday October 3rd, 6 to Spm :
Ms . Scalise said there is a conflict for the 3rd meeting we had scheduled for December. We will
hold on making a decision when the third meeting will be after we see how the first two
meetings go , Ms . Scalise sent around the detailed agenda . Barrett Planning Group has been
working on the agenda, promotional materials and taking pictures for the video tour. Ms . Scalise
asked how we want to present this for the first few sections . Ms . Spade-Aguilar said we should
introduce ourselves and who we represent . Mr. Hackert suggested that Jill and Donna present
the history and timeline and Ben do introductions . Ms . Scalise said there are two presentations
in beginning, the Trust then Bohler Engineering then the small group exercises trust apart of
that. Ms . Spade-Aguilar asked how publicity is being done . The mailings are being done
according to the ZBA guidelines, on the basis that a future comprehensive permit would go
through this process , Ms . Robinson said we need get to as many people as possible , Ms . Scalise
said that members could put a flyer wherever they think would be good . Ms . Hillis- Dineen asked
if we considered holding it at the Baptist church , Chair deRuyter said we would like to be a town
led process so decided to hold it at town hall . Ms . Scalise explained that in meeting two, we will
take the ideas that we have heard and Laura Shufelt & Barrett will share the feasibility from a
financial and DHCD guideline standpoint of what is possible . This meeting is scheduled for
November 7th at bpm . The third meeting will be where potential plans would be presented .
6 . Housing Rehabilitation Program Update and Discussion : Chair deRuyter said that excellent
work was done by Tim on some potential term guidelines. Ms. Kalinick spoke to counsel earlier
today and is waiting on some further feedback. Ms. Kalinick requested we hold this until after
we hear more from Town Counsel .
7 . Funding of Trust- CPA application update : Ms . Scalise told the Trust that we presented a grant
request for the preservation of SHI homes, acquisition and rehabilitation . We have identified 2
properties not in compliance, but we have expanded the request to other potential properties
on the SHI . CPC approved the request unanimously . We will go to Finance on 10/9 . Ms . Scalise
was at the Yankee property today getting a quote for repairs . There is now another home
looking to resell where the formula for resale is based on a percentage of value versus area
median income and there is only 90 to 105 days to resell which puts this type of property at risk .
If the town had to, they need to be able to step in and purchase and put in a new deed rider.
Ms . Kalinick explained that the CPC voted to allow the Trust to retain the funds for any eligible
CPC use . They also discussed the Trust and CPC having a joint meeting after the V of the year to
discuss future housing funding and roles .
8. Discussion of Trust Guidelines : Ms . Scalise included in the packet guidelines from Eastham &
Chatham to serve as discussion points . The working group for this work is Paul, Jill & Donna .
Both these examples are laid out clearly and succinctly. If anyone has feedback, please submit to
the working group . Ms. Spade-Agullar noted that on page 42 of the Eastham guidelines, they
talk about a rental subsidy program . There is language about this type of program on our goals
and the Chatham MCI rental program model is not feasible for right now. Ms. Kalinick explained
that Eastham runs a rental voucher and rehabilitation program through Harwich Ecumenical
Council for Housing ( HECH ) . Mashpee's rental voucher program is through their Housing
Authority. Chair deRuyter said it is paramount for us to put our guidelines in black and white; it a
road map for decision points. if anyone has any specific points, please email them to Donna . We
will then bring back a draft for discussion, but these are good example guidelines.
9 . Update on SHI Home preservation and SHI homeowner emergency assistance fund :
Ms . Scalise reported that everything has been followed through with a grant agreement and
money dispersed through Chair. Last month we had to be specific on the language for SHI
emergency assistance, but we may be able to expand on that. Ms . Spade-Aguilar asked if all this
work is piling on Ms . Scalise . Thus is a discussion that we need to have for the future .
10. Brewster housing update Including Fail opportunities. Ms . Scalise said the Trust goals have
been put on the website . She distributed a sheet that highlighted fall housing education and
other opportunities. Habitat is completing their blitz build this week. She thanked the Brewster
building department for going above and beyond to keep everything moving . The Huckleberry
Lane Fall Community Work Day, sponsored by the Housing Partnership is on 9/28, volunteers
can sign up with Donna . The Housing Authority has received funds to do rehabilitation so this is
a first step to improve the landscaping . There has been much collaboration with many groups
and departments and a grant from Cape Cod 5 . The Housing Institute will be starting on 10/2
and is 6 weeks on Wednesday evenings or there is a one day mid -Cape session on Friday 11/15 ,
The Council on Aging will have their second, If I live to be 100, Where will I live, series at the
Library on 9/19 from 5 :30 to 7, focused on in home services .
11 . Any other business not anticipated : None
12 . Approval of minutes from August 15, 2019 : Mr. Hackert moved the August 15, 2019 minutes,
Ms . Robinson second . The Board voted 6-Yes, Q-No . with two clerical changes and a comment
from Ms. Spade-Aguilar on the wording regarding Housing Rehab being the a priority since day
one .
13 . Adjournment: Mr. Hackert moved adjournment at 6 : 54pm, Ms . Dineen- Hlllis second . The Trust
voted unanimously in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Donna J . Kalinick
Assistant Town Administrator
Approved November 25, 2019