HomeMy Public PortalAboutHousing Partnership -- 2020-09-24 Minutes Brewster Housing Partnership
Minutes of the September 24 , 2020 Meeting
Members Present Remotely : Ralph Marotti , Steve Seaver, Diane Pansire , Sarah Robinson,
Vanessa Greene , Jillian Douglas
Guests Present : Jill Scalise , Donna Kalinick, Cindy Bingham
1 . Call to Order : Meeting called to order via Zoom at 6 : 30 pm .
2 . Approve minutes of previous meeting : Minutes of the August meeting were
presented and approved .
3 . Vacancy — Housing Partnership : The Housing Partnership welcomed Jillian Douglas
as its newest member .
4 . Housing Coordinator Report : Jill Scalise presented the Housing Coordinator
Report including the following updates .
➢ The rental assistance program is up and running . HAC is administering the
program . They have started marketing and outreach . The application can be
completed online on the HAC website or with the assistance of HAC . Ralph
Marotti inquired about the workforce relief fund . Jill Scalise noted that this
is a private fund that could be used when an individual does not meet the
criteria of the rental assistance program and is specifically for COVID49
relief.
➢ An update was provided on the Elevation Finance Group project noting that
the hearing on the use variance has been continued to the ZBA ' s October
meeting . They are also expected to meet with the Planning Board in October
and they have presented to the Housing Trust .
➢ An update was provided on the Millstone property . The initial phase of the
feasibility study has been completed. Sarah Robinson asked for additional
information on timing for the RFP process . Jill Scalise noted that MHP had
recently made a presentation on the disposition of public land for affordable
housing and she would distribute .
➢ The Town is still waiting to hear back on the Community Development
Block Grant for housing rehabilitation funds . j
➢ This Brewster COVID49 Relief Fund is now open . The application
available is now available on the Town ' s website .
➢ An update was provided on Brewster Woods by Donna Kalinick , Phase I is
now out to bid and there has been a lot of interest . The project could be
breaking ground by the end of the year . Jillian Douglas inquired about
feedback received from neighbors and Donna Kalinick provided
information on outreach . Cindy Bingham relayed the major request from
the neighborhood is that they would like to be notified when the trees are
scheduled to be cut down .
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5 . Standing Committee Updates :
a . Affordable Housing Trust — Sarah Robinson and Jill Scalise noted that
updates had already been provided previously .
b . CPC — Jill Scalise noted that the Affordable Housing Trust and CPC had a
joint Committee earlier in the day and it was a great opportunity to discuss
how the two groups have been and can continue to work together
effectively .
6 . Housing Education and Community Outreach : Jill Scalise provided examples of
outreach and education that the Housing Partnership could undertake highlighting
the ADU by- law. Donna Kalinick discussed how the Town ' s e-mail distribution list
works and noted that there is an opportunity for additional outreach. The outreach
done related to the Millstone property was discussed .
7 . Local Preference Discussion : Ralph Marotti raised the topic of local preference .
Jillian Douglas provided historical information on how preference was handled on
previous projects . Jill Scalise relayed what the current definitions of local .preference
include per the guidelines of the Department of Housing and Community
Development . Donna Kalinick provided context as to regional level discussions and
unintended consequences related to fair lending . She suggested the possibility of
holding a public forum on this topic to ensure we are making informed decisions as a
community. Diane Pansire noted that it would be helpful to get further educated as a
group on this topic . The group decided that it would be great to have a j oint presentation
made to the Housing Partnership, Affordable Housing Trust, and Select Board and Jill
Scalise will follow up with Judi Barrett and MHP .
8 . Meeting adjourned : The meeting was adjourned at 7 : 20 .
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Respectfully submitted,
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Vanessa L . Greene
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