HomeMy Public PortalAboutHousing Partnership -- 2020-11-23 Minutes ew .
Brewster Housing Partnership
Minutes of the November 23 , 2020 Meeting
Members Present Remotely : Ralph Marotti , Lisa Forhan, Steve Seaver, Sarah Robinson, Vanessa
Greene, Jillian Douglas
Guests Present : Jill Scalise , Donna Kalinick, Cindy Bingham, Bill Marsh (Eastward Companies) ,
Susan Ladue (Eastward Companies) , Peter Freeman (Attorney for Eastward Companies) ,
Thaddeus Siemasko (Architect with SV Designs)
1 . Call to Order : Meeting called to order via Zoom at 6 : 30 pm .
2 . Approval of Minutes . The September and October minutes were approved .
3 . Housing Partnership Role in Local Projects . Donna Kalinick reviewed the Partnership ' s
role in projects and comprehensive permits . She noted that substantial changes have
occurred over the last 18 months since the Partnership last reviewed the Eastward
Properties project including approval of a recreational marijuana facility as well as
numerous other affordable housing projects . Donna stressed how important community
engagement is in this process and noted that this engagement would need to be performed
by the proposer . Community engagement and staff review would be highly recommended
before the Select Board was engaged on this project . Lastly, she asked that the Eastward
Properties presentation address the new bedroom count and any plans for an on- site
wastewater treatment plant . Jill Scalise read a comment received from the public that had
arrived after the packet was posted and noted that the other comments were available on
the website in the materials for review .
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4 . Presentation by Eastward Companies : Susan Ladue provided an overview of Eastward j
Companies and a history of the project highlighting changes that had been made since the
last presentation. The new proposal will increase the number of bedrooms , reduce the j
number of parking spaces , increase the proposed green area, and reduce the number of
curb cuts . Current plan is for 25 % of the units to be affordable . Thad Siemasko then
presented more details on the design of the project. Peter Freeman noted that community
engagement would be part of the process and that Eastward Companies would work with
the Town on that process . Partnership members responded to the proposal and asked some
additional questions including looking at the number of 3 bedroom units , the need for a
thorough traffic study, how the reduced number of parking spaces will accommodate
residents , whether the number of affordable units could be increased, what the view would
be from 6A, process for the Old Kings Highway Committee , lighting strategy, the need for
onsite management, and the plans for community engagement . Donna Kalinick noted her
understanding that 10% of the units need to be 3 -bedroom units and that an on- site
wastewater treatment plant would be required . She also recommended that an updated
market rent study be done and that a traffic study be done earlier in the process . The
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Partnership and Bill Marsh further discussed the plans around community engagement .
Representatives from Eastward Companies left the meeting .
5 . Brewster Housing Coordinator Report
Jill Scalise reported that the Housing Office webpage has been updated . She asked
whether the Housing Partnership would want to put its charge on the website and
members agreed that this would be helpful . Jill Scalise will work with Ralph and the
Town website administrator to get this done . Jill Scalise updated the Partnership that
the rental assistance program is moving forward and that they have helped the first
Brewster household . A COVID - 19 relief fund is also available for the residents of
Brewster and applications are being received .
6 . Updates
Jill Scalise and Donna Kalinick provided updates on the following initiatives .
a. Brewster Woods — Contract to Phase I infrastructure work was awarded to
CC Construction , Donna and POA are working with the Housing Authority
making sure residents are aware of what is going on . Sent out letters to 90
abutters giving them the construction schedule .
b . Millstone — The Housing Partnership should have received a letter in the
middle of last week , Letter was sent to provide an update and answer
questions that have been brought forward .
c . Wingate — The ZBA approved a use variance for the location. The Planning
Board completed the site review process .
d . Red Top Road — Proposed Habitat 2 home project . They plan on going in
front of the Select Board for approval as a Local Initiative Project ,
e . Yankee Drive — Jillian asked if there was any thought to doing a RFP for
renovation or management of the unit . AHT has been working hard on 212
Yankee Drive ; first step is to gain ownership of the property .
7. Standing Committee Updates :
a , Affordable Housing Trust — Sarah discussed the Millstone Rd project
including communication with abutters and other community members .
b . CPC — Ralph has no further updates .
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8 . Local Preference Educational Forum Update : Donna Kalinick and Jill Scalise
had a meeting with MHP . They reported that this was a good discussion and MHP j
will discuss to determine what they think they could provide . Training would include
the Housing Partnership , Housing Trust, Select Board, and CPC .
9 . Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair : Ralph Marotti updated the
group that he has been researching the topic of the Maplewood property and would
have additional information at a future meeting .
t0 . Meeting adjourned : The meeting was adjourned at 8 : 02
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Respectfully submitted ,
Vanessa L . Greene
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Brewster Housing Partnership
Minutes of the February 13 , 2020 Meeting
Members Present : Lisa Forhan, Diane Pansire, Sarah Robinson, Ned Chatelain, Ralph Marotti
Guests Present : Jean Stanley, Director of Housing Rehab Program for The Resource Inc . , Jill
Scalise , Donna Kalinick
1 . Call to Order : Meeting called to order .
2 . Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Presentation on Housing
Rehabilitation Program : Jean Stanley, Director of Housing Rehab Programs for The
Resource , Inc . presented information on the Community Development Block Grant .
Brewster has an opportunity to join a regional CDBG application with the towns of
Dennis and Wellfleet . The application process was explained . Funds are provided as a
deferred forgivable loan with no interest and no monthly payments . These types of
programs can be used for housing rehabilitation as well as childcare subsidies . The towns
would have one year to use the funds so it is important to get word out to residents . The
rehabilitation work is done by local contractors so this program would also support small
businesses . Further discussion and consideration concerning the types of work eligible ,
income qualifications , community eligibility, outreach efforts, and timelines was held . Jill
Scalise noted that a direct mailing had been done to Brewster residents that had applied
through previous programs and those in the tax abatement programs and that pre-
applications are currently available . Jill urged Brewster residents to contact her if they
had questions on the program .
3 . CDBG for Housing Rehabilitation and Childcare, Letter of Support discussion
and vote : A draft sample letter was reviewed for support . The draft was approved
with one small edit noted .
4 . Approve minutes of previous meeting (February) : Minutes for February were
not available and will be reviewed at the next meeting .
5 . Updates from Housing Coordinator : Jill provided an update on the Millstone
project. Donna Kalinick suggested that the Partnership consider attending the
Community Housing Outreach session on March 10 in place of their next regularly
scheduled meeting . Jill provided an update on activity on the buy-down program . She
shared that two goals coming out of the Community Housing Institute were the j
development of a permanent funding source for the Housing Trust and outreach on
the Accessory Dwelling Unit program . Ned shared two draft flyers created — one for
homeowners and one for builders . Ralph shared outreach avenues for consideration.
Donna recommended reaching out to the Brewster Community Network and possibly
holding an information session including banks that are offering loan programs . Jill
recommended that the Partnership consider adding ADU outreach as a standing item
on their agenda for future meetings .
6 . Standing Updates
a. CPC : Ralph provided an update that the Housing Institute funding and
Housing Coordinator funding was approved at the last CPC meeting,
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b . Affordable Housing Trust : Jill updated the group that at the last Housing
Trust meeting, the CDBG program was discussed and the Trust worked on
the conceptual sketches for the Millstone project. Jill will send out general
guidelines and priorities for the Housing Trust. Donna noted that under the
CPC application they are asking for an increase in hours from 19 to 25 for
the Housing Coordinator position and provided an update on the Brewster
Woods project.
7 . Items not reasonably anticipated by the Chair : None .
8 . Meeting adjourned .
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Forhan
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