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HomeMy Public PortalAboutCPC Packet 022421Town of Brewster Community Preservation Committee 2198 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631 cpcmeeting@brewster-ma.gov (508) 896-3701 MEETING AGENDA February 24, 2021 at 4:00 PM (Remote Participation Only) This meeting will be conducted by remote participation pursuant to Gov. Baker’s March 2020 orders suspending certain Open Meeting Law provisions and imposing limits on public gatherings. No in-person meeting attendance will be permitted. If the Town is unable to live broadcast this meeting, a record of the proceedings will be provided on the Town website as soon as possible. The meeting may be viewed by: Live broadcast (Brewster Government TV Channel 18), Livestream (livestream.brewster-ma.gov), or Video recording (tv.brewster-ma.gov). Meetings may be joined by: 1.Phone: Call (929) 436-2866 or (301) 715-8592.Webinar ID: 857 3918 7186 Passcode: 100096 To request to speak: Press *9 and wait to be recognized. 2.Zoom Webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85739187186?pwd=ekJyUStScTYvK3JUM1MwNDNadUgzUT09 Passcode: 100096 To request to speak: Tap Zoom “Raise Hand” button or type “Chat” comment with your name and address, then wait to be recognized. Community Preservation Committee Faythe Ellis Chair Sharon Marotti Vice Chair Elizabeth Taylor Clerk Barbara Burgo Bruce Evans Peggy Jablonski Diane Pansire Paul Ruchinskas Roland Bassett Jr. CPC Assistant Beth Devine 1.Call to Order 2.Discussion and possible vote on recommendation to the CPC for funding amount, conditions, liaison, and CPC funding source for the following application: Brewster Dog Park - $300,000 3.Review draft award letters a.Dennis Veterans Home b.Brewster Rental Assistance Program c.Housing Coordinator d.Stony Brook Mill wall restoration project 4.Approval of minutes from 2/10/21 5.Town meeting preparation – May 15, 2021 6.Annual report draft 7.Project updates 8.Announcements 9.Items the Chair could not anticipate 10.Next meeting: March 10, 2021 at 4pm 11.Motion to Adjourn Date Posted: Date Revised: Community Preservation Committee: FY22 Forecast as of 2/10/2021 1,716,072.80$ 1,084,450.00$ 162,667.50$ 1,247,117.50$ 2,963,190.30 50%10%10% Open Space Housing Historical $ 503,132.57 $ 113,075.41 $ 475,462.89 $ 624,401.93 $ 623,558.75 $ 124,711.75 $ 124,711.75 $ 374,135.25 $ 1,126,691.32 $ 237,787.16 $ 600,174.64 $ 998,537.18 Open Space Housing Historical "30%" $ (53,100.00) $ (101,600.00) $ (48,983.00) (62,355.88) (300,000.00) (52,500.00) (125,000.00) (51,096.00) (150,000.00) (105,000.00) Total YTD Obligations - FY22 $ (203,683.00) $ (103,596.00) $ (125,000.00) $ (617,355.88) $ 923,008.32 $ 134,191.16 $ 475,174.64 $ 381,181.31 Total net available from all accounts 1,913,555.43$ YE ADJUSTMENT- BREWSTER BAPTIST STEEPLE RETURN OF ALLOCATED FUNDS Windrift (5)81,973.00 50,000.00 (2) State Match revenue is projected at 15%, which is the total which was listed in the Fall TM Warrant. [3] Administrative expenses are limited by law to 5% of the total CPC budget and include primarily payroll costs, legal and other professional expenses, the annual $3,500 state Coalition dues. {4} Original bond amount of 1,594,900 to be paid down by 899,210 in April 2020 and 400,000 in April 2021. Rem. Balance is 295,690 @ .75% interest rate {5} 1/14/21 CPC voted to use Windrift grant funds of $295,690 to pay off Besse Cartway note. [1] Balance forwarded estimated from prior year includes all unallocated funds, including unspent amounts from projects and budgeted administrative and professional expenses. Administration Expense [3] Outstanding Requests for Funding for Spring TM/CPC Recommends Brewster Dog Park Dennis Veterans Home Mill Pond Wall Housing Coordinator Rental Assistance Habitat - Red Top Road FY22 Estimated Unreserved Fund Balance as of 01/31/2021 with Adjustments REMAINING OPEN SPACE GRANT FUNDS (4) Budgedted Reserved for CPA FY-21 Actual Unreserved Fund Balance FY-22 Estimated revenue FY-22 Estimated Funds available FY-22 obligations as of 01/31/2021 BBJ Property Bond #1 BBJ Property Bond #2 Bates Property Bond FY-21 Estimated total balance forwarded [1]: FY-22 Estimated local tax revenue: FY-22 Estimated State contribution [2]: Total FY-22 Estimated funds available:BONDS 2/20/21 To: CPC Committee Members From: Faythe Ellis Re: Dog Park Application information links Access to Dog Park application information included in previous packets: 1/14/21 Meeting Packet – Application CPC Supplemental Public Packet Jan. 14, 2021 - Laserfiche WebLink (brewster-ma.gov) – additional letters Hi Peter and Tom – I wanted to let you know that I may reference the data below at our CPC meeting as part of my dog park application questions. I compiled it from the Stanton Foundation website. I will forward the agenda, links, etc. as soon as we get the meeting posted. Talk to you Wednesday. Faythe https://thestantonfoundation.org/canine/dog- parks/guide/parks/ Dog Park Info Town Square Feet Year Built Cost Abington 40,000 2019 $ 209,996 Agawam 65,340 2015 $ 202,002 Ayer 43,101 2018 $ 192,017 Burlington 17,800 2018 $ 178,850 Millbury 60,984 2015 $ 146,677 Danvers 43,200 2017 $ 237,000 Boston North End 2,500 2015 $ 202,000 Natick 21,800 2020 $ 299,750 Woburn 11,000 2020 $ 131,900 Fitchburg 43,560 2018 $ 237,350 Gardner 70,000 2019 $ 253,465 Greenfield 23,500 2016 $ 208,989 Mashpee 37,000 2015 $ 209,517 Medford 12,000 2018 $ 279,348 New Bedford 42,600 2018 $ 251,320 Chelsea 4,200 2019 $ 258,818 Oxford 32,800 2020 $ 220,972 Peabody 72,466 2018 $ 219,645 Quincy 13,600 2020 $ 498,000 Boston Ronan Pk 3,183 2009 $ 207,500 Yarmouth 23,835 2015 $ 219,975 Scituate 65,340 2019 $ 282,723 Arlington 17,500 2011 $ 199,400 Uxbridge 65,340 2020 $ 217,650 Ware 32,670 2020 $ 210,500 Page 1 of 3 2198 Main Street Brewster, Massachusetts 02631-1898 (508) 896-3701 FAX (508) 896-8089 DRAFT February 10, 2021 Mr. Adam Gracia Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center 247 Stevens Street, Suite E Hyannis, MA 02601 RE: Veterans Home in Dennis Community Housing Project- Award Letter Dear Mr. Gracia: This letter is written to inform you that on January 29, 2021, the Brewster Community Preservation Committee (“CPC”) voted to recommend to Brewster Town Meeting approval of Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center’s (“CIVOV”) $50,000 funding request for the Veterans Home in Dennis community housing development: the construction of a single family home in Dennis with 5 bedrooms that will provide supportive rental housing for 5 homeless veterans (“the Project”), on 1341 Route 134, Dennis, Massachusetts that was donated to the town of Dennis and leased to CIVOC for 99 years (“the Property”), as described in CIVOC’s December 1, 2020 application (the “Application”), which Application is incorporated herein by reference. Brewster Town Meeting is currently scheduled to meet on May 3, 2021 to consider the CPC’s recommendation and to appropriate $50,000 for the Project (the “Grant Funds”) under G.L. c.44B, the Community Preservation Act (the “CPA”). If approved by Town Meeting, the Town will make the Grant Funds available to CIVOC upon the execution of a Grant Agreement containing terms substantially similar to the one attached hereto as Exhibit A and the terms set forth herein (the “Grant Agreement”). No Grant Funds will be paid to CIVOC until CIVOC has complied with the other terms of the Grant Agreement. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The Veterans Home in Dennis will provide supportive rental housing for five homeless veterans on Cape Cod and is sponsored by the Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center (CIVOC). The final goal of the project is to stabilize the circumstance of the veterans’ lives so that they are empowered to eventually move forward into their own independent and sustainable living situations. In March 2020, construction began on a 3,500 sf, five-bedroom, Community Preservation Committee Page 2 of 3 five bath home at 1341 Route 134, Dennis. This home will be the location of the Supportive Housing Program which CIVOC has been implementing since 1996. The $50,000 Brewster CPC award will be used toward defraying prior construction expenses and thus reducing or eliminating the need for a mortgage on the property. PROJECT ELIGIBILITY The Project is eligible for funding under the CPA pursuant to Section 5(b)(2), which provides that CPA funds may be expended “for the acquisition, creation, preservation and support of community housing.” Section 5(b)(1) also supports the “… the consideration of regional projects for community preservation.” The Project meets the definition of “community housing” as that term is defined in the CPA because it will provide housing for households earning no more than 80% of the Area Median Income as all residents will be income eligible to receive the project-based housing vouchers. The CPA allows CPA funds to be used to “acquire a real property interest” in community housing, and if the Town obtains a long-term affordable housing restriction on the Property in exchange for the funds, the CPA funds will have been properly expended to acquire community housing. GRANT AWARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS The disbursement of the Grant Funds awarded by the CPC is contingent upon the following terms and conditions: 1)The Project is approved and $50,000 has been appropriated therefor by Brewster Town Meeting; Town Meeting is currently expected to vote on May 3, 2021. 2)The parties have signed a Grant Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. 3)The Grant Funds will only be released to CIVOC as reimbursement for work that has been completed in accordance with the provisions of this Award Letter and the Grant Agreement. 4) CIVOC shall use the Grant Funds for defraying prior construction expenses and thus reducing or eliminating the need for a mortgage on the property. 5)The Town will hold back the Grant Funds ($50,000) until the Project has been completed, as evidenced by a copy of the Certificate of Occupancy and the recording of an affordable housing restriction with the Town of Brewster as a party on the Property. 6)The CPA funds will only be released to CIVOC as reimbursement for work completed in accordance with the provisions of this Award Letter and the Grant Agreement. Requests for reimbursement, including documentation of the expenses Page 3 of 3 incurred, shall be submitted to Beth Devine, CPC administrative assistant, c/o Brewster Town Hall. The CPC reserves the right, through its agent, to inspect the work prior to approving any funding request. 7)The term of the award will last until June 30, 2023, and the Project must be completed by the date. 8)CIVOC shall provide project status reports/updates to the CPC liaison every three months (i.e. January 1, April 1, June 1, and September 1) until project completion, at which time a final report will be due. 9)Any unused funds from this award shall be returned to the Fund Balance Reserved for Community Housing. 10)The CPC liaison for this project shall be Peggy Jablonski. The CPC is pleased to be able to play a role in this much-needed community housing project. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or concerns. Sincerely, Faythe Ellis Chair- Brewster CPC February 17, 2021 Ms. Donna Kalanick and Ms. Jill Scalise Housing Coordinator Town of Brewster 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631 RE: Brewster Rental Assistance Program - Award Letter Dear Ms. Kalanick and Ms. Scalise This letter is written to inform you that on January 29, 2021, the Brewster Community Preservation Committee (“CPC”) voted to recommend to Brewster Town Meeting approval of the Brewster Rental Assistance Program’s $150,000 funding request for the Brewster Rental Assistance to provide emergency assistance to low and moderate-income households to both attain and retain affordable housing Brewster Town Meeting is currently scheduled to meet on May 15, 2021 to consider the CPC’s recommendation and to appropriate $150,000 for the Project (the “Grant Funds”) under G.L. c.44B, the Community Preservation Act (the “CPA”). If approved by Town Meeting, the Town will make the Grant Funds available to the Brewster Housing Trust for distribution to the Housing Assistance Corporation, who administers Brewster Rental Assistance Program upon the execution of a Grant Agreement containing terms substantially similar to the one attached hereto as Exhibit A and the terms set forth herein (the “Grant Agreement”). PROJECT DESCRIPTION The purpose of the Brewster Affordable Housing Trust is to provide for the preservation and creation of affordable housing in the Town of Brewster for the benefit of low and moderate income households and for the funding of community housing as defined in and in accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 44B. The Rental Assistance Program (B-RAP) creates and preserves affordable housing options in Brewster Over the past years, and exacerbated with the Covid-19 pandemic, year-round rental housing has become more difficult for Brewster households to afford. The Brewster Affordable Housing Trust Rental Assistance Program (B-RAP) assists low and moderate income Brewster households to both attain and retain rental housing. Using previous CPA funding, approved at the 2018 Fall Special Town Meeting, the Housing Trust developed the B- RAP program in response to identified needs in the community and designed the emergency assistance component in coordination with eight Lower Cape Towns and local social service agencies. The program, managed by Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC), provides a monthly rental subsidy as well as case management support to assist residents in affording rentals. The emergency Covid-19 assistance component provides funds to help households impacted by Covid-19 maintain their rental housing. Prior to using B-RAP funds, HAC works with applicants to access financial assistance from federal, state, and county programs as well as private donations. This initiative keeps Brewster residents housed, supports the health of the community, and provides landlords with needed funds. The requested grant would fund the BRAP for two additional years. PROJECT ELIGIBILITY The Project is eligible for funding under the CPA pursuant to Section 5(b)(2), which provides that CPA funds may be expended “for the acquisition, creation, preservation and support of community housing.” The Project meets the definition of “community housing” as that term is defined in the CPA because it will sustain housing for households earning no more than 40% - 65% of the AMI. The expenditure of the Grant Funds will help the Town temporarily support tenants who are experiencing difficulty in paying rent primarily due to Covid 19 restrictions. The CPA does not fully define the word “support”, but states that it “includes, but is not limited to, programs that provide grants, loans, rental assistance, security deposits, interest-rate write downs or other forms of assistance directly to individuals and families who are eligible for community In DOR’s opinion, a rental assistance program, administered in this manner, is consistent with the CPA and the anti-aid amendment because the CPA funds are being expended in exchange for the non-profit’s management services. Since the Programs constitute the support of community housing, and the grant is being administered by the HAC, the CPC may reasonably conclude that the use of funds for the Programs is consistent with the CPA and the anti-aid amendment. GRANT AWARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS The disbursement of the Grant Funds awarded by the CPC is contingent upon the following terms and conditions: 1) The Project is approved and $150,000 has been appropriated therefor by Brewster Town Meeting; Town Meeting is currently expected to vote on May 15, 2021. 2) The parties have signed a Grant Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. 3) The funds of this grant are to be administered by the Housing Authority Corporation (HAC). Which will be paid a 5% administrative fee. 4) The payments to the landlords, together with the rent paid by the assisted household, approximate the fair market rental value of the property. 5) The Trust will provide project/status updates to the CPC liaison every three months – April 1, June 1, September 1, and January 1 until project completion, at which time a final report will be due 6) The funds need to be expended by _________________ 7) The Trust has complied with the terms of the Grant Agreement 8) The CPC liaison for this project shall be Sharon Marotti . The CPC is pleased to be able to play a role in this much-needed community housing rental assistance project. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or concerns. Sincerely, Faythe Ellis Chair- Brewster CPC Community Preservation Committee 2198 Main Street Brewster, Massachusetts 02631-1898 (508) 896-3701 2198 Main Street Brewster, Massachusetts 02631-1898 (508) 896-3701 FAX (508) 896-8089 Community Preservation Committee March 1, 2021 Mr. Peter Lombardi Brewster Town Hall 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631 RE: Part-Time Housing Coordinator Dear Mr. Lombardi: I am pleased to inform you that on February 10, 2021 the Brewster Community Preservation Committee (CPC) voted to recommend approval to Brewster Town Meeting of $51,096 for your funding request to continue the Part-Time Housing Coordinator position for FY 2022 (Project) as described in the application dated December 1, 2020. Should Brewster Town Meeting, at the next Town Meeting at which other CPA projects are presented for appropriation, vote to approve this request, the funds will be made available to the Town within fourteen (14) days of the end of said Town Meeting or on July 1, 2021, whichever is later, as described below. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Project is to continue the position of the part-time Housing Coordinator (approximately 25 hours per week). The position is necessary to provide programmatic and administrative support to the CPC, the Local Housing Partnership, the Housing Trust, and members of the public with the myriad of issues and organizations related to affordable housing and to help the Town work toward the goal of having at least 10% of its year-round housing stock be designated as affordable. The specifics of the Project and the job description are more fully described in the Community Preservation funding application dated December 1, 2020. That application is attached hereto as Exhibit A. PROJECT ELIGIBILITY: The Project complies with the provisions of the Community Preservation Act (“CPA”), G.L. c. 44B, §5(b)(2), which provides that CPA funds may be expended “for the acquisition, creation, preservation and support of community housing.” The CPC determined that CPA funds may properly be used to retain a Housing Coordinator as “support of community housing” as the primary duty of the Housing Coordinator, as described in the job function, is to directly support the Town in acquiring and creating affordable housing and/or assisting in affordable housing programs and/or low income Page 1 of 7 households. There are many municipalities that retain housing coordinators and/or specialists with the use of CPA funds. TERMS AND CONDITIONS: The funds will be made available to the Town under the following terms and conditions: 1)All work shall be performed in accordance with the scope of work identified in the attached job description for the position. 2)As this will be a Town staff position, payment will be handled via the Town’s normal payroll process. Any funds not utilized for the Project shall be returned to the CPC’s Fund Balance Reserved for Community Housing. 3)The Housing Coordinator and Town Planner shall provide project status reports/updates to the CPC every three months (i.e. October 1, January 1, April 1, and July 1) until project completion, at which time a final report will be due. 4)The Project must be completed no later than June 30, 2022. 5)The terms and conditions herein shall be binding on the parties unless and until amended, in writing, by mutual agreement. Any significant change in the approved Project shall require CPC approval and amendment of this award letter. The CPC Chair shall determine whether a change is deemed to be significant. 6)The CPC liaison for this project is Bruce Evans – 508-896-9045 and/or nanumetbruce@gmail.com. Do not hesitate to contact him with any questions or concerns. The CPC is pleased to be able to play a role to increase the capacity of the Town to address its affordable housing needs. If the terms of this award are acceptable, please execute one copy and return to Faythe Ellis c/o Brewster Town Hall, within fifteen (15) days of receipt Page 2 of 7 and keep the other original for your records. ____________________________________________ Faythe Ellis, Chair- Brewster CPC AGREED AND ACCEPTED BY THE TOWN OF BREWSTER: Name: Peter Lombardi Title: Town Administrator DATE: Cc: Donna Kalinick, Assistant Town Administrator Ryan Bennett, Town Planner Mimi Bernardo, Finance Director Brewster, Massachusetts Housing Coordinator Job Description Statement of Duties: Employee is to perform responsible professional, technical, and administrative work in providing support services for housing-related programs, projects and activities; all other related work as required. The Housing Coordinator is responsible for housing related services assigned through the Town Planner for the Town of Brewster Housing Partnership, the Community Preservation Committee and other boards and committees that have affordable housing initiatives. Supervision Required: Under general supervision of the Town Planner, and in accordance with state and local laws and regulations. In coordination with the Town Planner the employee will develop an annual work plan and complete the work in accordance with established departmental policies and standards. The employee is familiar with the work routine and uses initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently with specific instruction, as needed. The employee may supervise the work of various technical contractors. Confidentiality: The work requires examining, analyzing and evaluating facts and circumstances surrounding individual problems, situations, or transactions, and determining actions to be taken within the limits of standard or accepted practices. Employee may have access to some confidential information that is obtained during performance of essential functions. Discretion regarding sensitive information is critical. Judgment: State and Regional housing guidelines include a large body of policies, practices, and precedents, which may be complex or conflicting, at times. Judgment is used in analyzing specific situations to determine appropriate actions. Employee is expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in conjunction with procedural concerns in decision making. Requires understanding, interpreting and applying State and local regulations to ensure that department operations are in compliance. Work Environment: Employee performs work in a typical office setting with frequent interruptions and no occupational risk to the employee. Nature and Purpose of Relationships: Contacts are primarily with co-workers, the public, and State and Regional agencies involving frequent explanation, discussion or interpretation of affordable housing practices, procedures, regulations and guidelines. Other regular contacts are with service recipients and employees of outside organizations such as vendors, banks and/or developers/ contractors. More than ordinary courtesy, tact and diplomacy may be required to resolve complaints. Employee will coordinate with Town Planner before furnishing news media with information such as meeting agendas, project details or departmental procedures. Accountability: Consequences of errors, missed deadlines or poor judgment could result in excessive cost, delay of service delivery or legal repercussions to the Town. Page 4 of 7 Essential Functions: The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. 1.Provides housing related support services for the Housing Partnership, Community Preservation Committee (CPC), and the Planning Board, as appropriate. 2.Coordinates and assists in setting annual priorities for the implementation of the Affordable Housing Production plan. 3.Administers housing assistance programs such as the CPC Homeowner Buy-Down Program and other town supported housing assistance projects. 4.Maintains an inventory of the Town’s Subsidized Housing Inventory and monitors compliance with affordability requirements. 5.Identifies affordable housing opportunities such as maintaining a list of town owned vacant parcels; identifying possible public private partnerships for housing; and seeking available housing grant opportunities. 6.With respect to any Town-initiated affordable housing projects, assists Planning Department, CPC, and Housing Partnership in developing scope, schedule and terms of requests for proposals (RFPs) and other project documents, coordinates review by other town boards and departments, and public comment. Coordinates plan review with technical experts and consulting engineers, as needed. 7.Attends regular meetings of the Housing Partnership. Attend other Boards or Committee meetings as needed. Prepares support materials as needed. 8.Assists the Town Planner in preparing and/or reviewing proposed zoning bylaw amendments and amendments to specific Board’s rules and regulations. 9.Assists in development and execution of housing-related public educational programs/events. 10.Responds to questions and requests for information from the public and other town departments. Provides guidance and technical assistance as necessary. 11.Keeps current with state and federal housing policy issues. 12.Attends regional and professional development meetings as necessary. 13.Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates. Page 5 of 7 Recommended Minimum Qualifications: Education and Experience: Position requires an Associate’s degree in government, municipal planning, business or related field, 1 - 3 years’ experience municipal management, housing, planning, procurement or related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Knowledge, Abilities and Skill Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of the functions of municipal government, local bylaws, rules and regulations. Good understanding of affordable housing issues. General understanding of the interaction between local, state and federal government. General knowledge of Massachusetts General Laws, especially as they apply to housing and zoning. Good working knowledge of office practices and procedures, forms and equipment. Ability: Ability to interact effectively and appropriately with the public and other town personnel; ability to complete multiple tasks in a timely, detailed and accurate manner. Has the ability to work independently and to maintain sensitive, confidential information. Skill: Proficient computer skills including word processing and spread sheet applications, organizational skills, recordkeeping and clerical skills, oral and written communication and presentation skills. Physical and Mental Requirements The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions. Physical Skills: Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as ledger books, photocopy and computer paper. Position requires basic motor skills for activities such as: operating a personal computer and/or most other office equipment, typing and/or word processing, filing, moving objects or sorting of papers. Employee is required to routinely read documents and reports for understanding and analytical purposes. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change. Compensation: $30- $40/hour (without benefits) Hours: 25 hours/week Page 6 of 7 EXHIBIT A Application dated 12/1/2020 for Part-Time Housing Coordinator on file with Community Preservation Committee Page 7 of 7 Page 1 of 5 2198 Main Street Brewster, Massachusetts 02631-1898 (508) 896-3701 FAX (508) 896-8089 Community Preservation Committee March 1, 2021 Chris Miller, Director Natural Resources Doug Erickson, Chair, Millsites Committee Brewster Town Hall 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631 RE: Stony Brook Mill Retaining Wall Restoration Dear Mr. Lombardi: I am pleased to inform you that on February 10, 2021 the Brewster Community Preservation Committee (CPC) voted to recommend approval to Brewster Town Meeting of $125,000 for your funding request to reconstruct and restore the stone retaining wall between the headrace pond that powers the gristmill and the west side of the fish run for FY 2022 (Project) as described in the application dated November 25, 2020. Should Brewster Town Meeting, at the next Town Meeting at which other CPA projects are presented for appropriation, vote to approve this request, the funds will be made available to the Town within fourteen (14) days of the end of said Town Meeting or on July 1, 2021, whichever is later, as described below. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The historic Stony Brook Gristmill 2.69 acre site is divided east and west by Stony Brook, and north and south by Stony Brook Road. The Gristmill and mill ponds are located on the south side, with historic foundations and paths on the north side. The Lower Mill Pond dam was constructed to increase water levels in the pond for power for the gristmill, as well as to provide passage for migratory fish into the headwater ponds. A water control device is installed on the dam to control water into the “millers pond” which operates the mill. The retaining wall, an historic landmark, supporting this pond is failing and is in danger of collapse. And the stone masonry wall in the main pool near the street is also degraded. The wall forms the western side of the fish run. In order to function safely, and to protect the diadromous (migratory) fish run and water source for the gristmill, the wall needs to be rehabilitated or replaced. The specifics of the Project are more fully described in the Community Preservation funding application dated November 25, 2020. That application is attached hereto as Exhibit A. PROJECT ELIGIBILITY: The Project complies with the provisions of the Community Preservation Act (“CPA”), G.L. c. 44B, §5(b)(2), which provides historic resources, such Page 2 of 5 as the Property and its various elements, may be preserved with the use of CPA funds, that is, to protect the historic Property from injury. CPA funds may also be used to rehabilitate or improve historic resources. “Rehabilitation” is defined in the CPA as: “capital improvements, or the making of extraordinary repairs, to historic resources…for the purpose of making such historic resources…functional for their intended uses.” The CPC determined that CPA funds may properly be used to for this project because the Property is listed in the National Register of Historic Districts and is an important part of the history and culture of the Town of Brewster and the region, and the Project will preserve the Mill buildings from injury and rehabilitate an important historic resource, the repair of the wall will help maintain the integrity of the dam, which in turn will protect the mill buildings and other improvements, the use of CPA funds for the Project constitute both the preservation and rehabilitation of the historic Property. Page 1 of 7 Page 3 of 5 TERMS AND CONDITIONS: The funds will be made available to the Town under the following terms and conditions: 1)All work shall be performed in accordance with the scope of work identified in the application and must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the preservation and rehabilitation of historic resources. 2)No grant funds shall be expended before the Town receives gifts and/or grants totaling a minimum of $332,700 from other sources. 3)The CPC funds will be utilized to obtain final permits and for stone facing on the dam (reusing existing stone.) 4)No disbursement of funds may occur until the project has received all necessary permitting and approvals. 5)The sign off of the Millsites Committee, or its representative, is required for the final landscaping plan. 6)Any funds not utilized for the Project shall be returned to the CPC’s Fund Balance Reserved for Historical Projects. 7)The Applicants shall provide project status reports/updates to the CPC every three months (i.e. October 1, January 1, April 1, and July 1) until project completion, at which time a final report will be due. 8)The Project must be completed no later than June 30, 2023. 9)The terms and conditions herein shall be binding on the parties unless and until amended, in writing, by mutual agreement. Any significant change in the approved Project shall require CPC approval and amendment of this award letter. The CPC Chair shall determine whether a change is deemed to be significant. 10)The CPC liaison for this project is Faythe Ellis (Faythe.Ellis@outlook.com). Do not hesitate to contact her with any questions or concerns. The CPC is pleased to be able to play a role to preserve this historic landmark. If the terms of this award are acceptable, please execute one copy and return to Faythe Ellis c/o Brewster Town Hall, within fifteen (15) days of receipt Page 4 of 5 and keep the other original for your records. ____________________________________________ Faythe Ellis, Chair- Brewster CPC AGREED AND ACCEPTED BY THE TOWN OF BREWSTER: Chris Miller Director, Natural Resources Department ____________________________________________ Doug Erickson Chair- Millsites Committee DATE: Cc: Peter Lombardi, Town Administrator Mimi Bernardo, Finance Directo Community Preservation Committee Minutes of February 10, 2021 Page 1 of 4 2198 Main Street Brewster, Massachusetts 02631-1898 (508) 896-3701 FAX (508) 896-8089 COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE Virtual Meeting Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 10, 2021 Present: Community Preservation Committee (CPC) - Chair Faythe Ellis, Vice-Chair Sharon Marotti, Clerk Elizabeth Taylor, Roland Bassett, Bruce Evans, Paul Ruchinskas, Diane Pansire, Peggy Jablonski Absent: Barbara Burgo Also Present: Cynthia Bingham, Select Board; Donna Kalinick, Assistant Town Administrator Chair Faythe Ellis called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm This meeting will be conducted by remote participation pursuant to Gov. Baker’s March 2020 orders suspending certain Open Meeting Law provisions and imposing limits on public gatherings. No in-person meeting attendance will be permitted. If the Town is unable to live broadcast this meeting, a record of the proceedings will be provided on the Town website as soon as possible. The meeting may be viewed by: Live broadcast (Brewster Government TV Channel 18), Livestream (livestream.brerwster-ma.gov), or Video recording (tv.brewster-ma.gov). Meetings may be joined by: 1. Phone: Call (929) 436-2866 or (301) 715-8592. Webinar ID: 886 2871 8143 Passcode: 176997 To request to speak: Press *9 and wait to be recognized. 2.Zoom Webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88628718143?pwd=dWY5ZDhWRUJTOVE4OXFMamY5WmNrQT09 Passcode: 176997 To request to speak: Tap Zoom “Raise Hand” button or type “Chat” comment with your name and address, then wait to be recognized. 1.Discussion and possible vote to structure $25,000 PBCB Dock award as forgivable loan with mortgage. Sharon gave an update to the Committee – added Admin Fees to Dennis Veterans Home, $2,500 additional amount for Legal or other fees; and Habitat, $5,000 additional for same. Open Space Grant funds were deleted of $193,063 for McGuerty Road purchase as we have a commitment from the State but haven’t received the check yet. 2.Discussion and possible vote on recommendation to the CPC for funding amount, conditions, liaison and CPC funding source for the following application: Housing Coordinator - $51,096 Donna Kalinick presented this application to the Committee. This is the 4th year we have been in front of the CPC for this positon. This was one of the key recommendations of the Housing Production Plan established in 2017. The amount requested is for the salary hours of 25/week, which were increased from 19 last year, and carried a slight cost of living increase as well. On the Town Benefits side, the original application was based on information she had available, and it can be refined a bit more now. In the application, there are supporting documents which are products of the Housing Coordinators work. Approved: VOTE: Community Preservation Committee Minutes of February 10, 2021 Page 2 of 4 Beyond the critical direct support, there are resident hours every week. People call on an ongoing basis – around 50/month this year, used to averaging around 36/month, so the bulk has gone up. Our current Housing Coordinator has become famous, people call her to find out what and how Brewster is doing things to help with programs in their own communities. MA Housing Partnership runs a series of educational pieces Donna Kalinick finds extremely helpful, and she and Jill presented in one last week. She wanted to highlight the Emergency Rental Assistance Program – very important program especially during a pandemic - even more critical now then it was when it was originally proposed. The Coordinator supports the Housing Trust and the Housing Partnership. The Planning Board and the ZBA, require a commitment from the Town to help get through the process, and the Coordinator works with them to do that. Brewster Woods is under construction which the Coordinator walks alongside the Assistant Town Administrator through it. The Habitat Hush Way Project is complete and the next project on Red Top Road where Coordinator is supplying support, coordinating through multiple partnerships. Other items would be applying for the Childcare Grant, which has been slowed due to the pandemic. We are still hopeful that the regional grant will come through at a later date. They do receive calls about rehabilitation on a regular basis. The other project is the subsidized housing inventory – there are homes that need assistance. It has been a long and difficult process working with this and our legal counsel on what the path forward will be. Lastly, throughout the pandemic, the Coordinator has gone above and beyond, not only working on housing, but on food insecurity as well. All of these things are connected. The Coordinator has assisted with the Town COVID Relief Fund, screening requests in terms of housing to point them in the best direction to meet their needs. Paul had a question regarding when the cost of living increase will happen and if the amount of the request is comfortable. Donna Kalinick said she did build in a little buffer for that amount. If she had to come back at the last minute, it would be a motion on the Town Meeting floor. Paul went on to say when he started his work at the Cape Cod Commission, Brewster was not one of the stars, but it has now significantly changed. People are looking to Brewster to see what they can do in their own towns. It has been incredibly worthwhile for the community. The Committee all had positive things to say and are very supportive of the position and all it does for our community. Faythe asked about where this position would go after being funded through the CPC. Donna Kalinick said we started talking about a 5 year ask through the CPC, however, she does still think that, not this year, because of the pandemic, next year, the 5th year, she will be in front of the Committee to discuss what this position looks like going forward for long term stability and need of the position. Motion to approve the funding amount of $51,096 with conditions same as award from the prior year, Bruce Evans as Liaison, and funding source is Housing. MOVED by Diane Pansire. Seconded by Elizabeth Taylor. Roll Call Vote: Sharon Marotti – yes, Bruce Evans – yes, Elizabeth Taylor – yes, Roland Bassett – yes, Paul Ruchinskas– yes, Diane Pansire - yes, Peggy Jablonski – yes, Chair Ellis - yes VOTE 8-yes 0-no 3.Discussion and possible vote to structure $25,000 PBCB Dock award as forgivable loan with mortgage. Faythe said Ted Baylis was not going to be able to attend the meeting, so she would get in touch with him after to go over what the Committee discussed. She then went on to say at the last meeting, we discussed the issue of letting the public know somehow about public access at the facility. She was also Community Preservation Committee Minutes of February 10, 2021 Page 3 of 4 going to check in with Legal to see if it could be structured as a forgivable loan with a mortgage, which it can be. However, we still need a clause that there is a condition for public access signage. She had a follow-up question from Pleasant Bay about that. She was hoping to come up with the criteria we would want to define so they could discuss and come back with an alternate proposal. Perhaps there could be some messaging on their website to meet our requirement for public access. Peggy wondered about signage naming the towns that gave CPC funds for the dock project. Faythe said she agreed, but Brewster seems more concerned than other towns for that signage. Paul said he thought the website idea was a great one. He thought looking into that more would be the most beneficial. Faythe said she could ask them to propose wording that the CPC could come to agreement on or not. There will be no vote until we have a firm back and forth with PBCB. 4.Annual committee report for town report. Faythe said we received the notice asking to put together the Annual Report. Elizabeth Taylor is working on this for the Committee. She hasn’t been able to dig into it yet, but will be able to work on a draft for the Committee soon. 5.Discussion of first draft of warrant article Faythe put a draft of the warrant article in the packet and walked the Committee through it. As we did for the first time last year, the intro will include the estimated revenue as well as the FY22 appropriations and allocations for the voters to see. Donna Kalinick mentioned that the date for the Town Meeting had been moved to May 15th and the timeline for this will probably move as well. 6.Review draft award letters Faythe asked Paul to walk the Committee through the award letter for the Red Top Road Community Housing project. Paul said the beginning is just a general synopsis including the vote and funding amount with a description of the project. The Project Description is taken from the Town Meeting Warrant and/or the application. All other Habitat developments we have funded have been secured by a mortgage on the property which is actually a grant -- a no-interest loan and when the homes get sold, the portion of our mortgage will be discharged. Project eligibility is almost the same as what was in the last award letter, under terms and conditions, we need to change the date for the Town meeting with the standard grant agreement that will be included. Next including that Habitat takes all steps to get these homes counted in the subsidized housing inventory; then all the prior work Habitat has to do with permitting and executing the grant agreement, note, and mortgage. All conditions have to be met prior to the release of the funds. We don’t fund things in advance and then the hard costs – which Habitat can build for hard or soft costs – he feels it can be limited to construction costs. Habitat typically fundraises during their projects; we can continue looking at their income statements showing they have enough funds available on hand to cover costs. #9 is different from Paul Hush Way as it will allow Habitat to get reimbursed for up to $90,000 for doing the site work – so allowing the bulk of funds to be given up front. Given Habitat’s track record, he feels confident that will be fine. #10 is holding 10% of the grant funds until all homes are completed and homeowners are in, with an affordable housing deed restriction. #11 is the 0% loan and the discharge process - 3 years to complete the project, status reports, and the Liaison. Paul said he used the other award letters for Habitat, just changed a few of the numbers. Community Preservation Committee Minutes of February 10, 2021 Page 4 of 4 7.Committee meeting schedule through March: a.2/24, 3/10, 3/24 at 4pm b.3/25 Joint Meeting with Local Preference Fair Housing Forum 6 PM 8.Approval of Minutes from 1/29/21 Motion to approve the minutes from 1/29/2021 as written. MOVED by Elizabeth Taylor. Seconded by Diane Pansire. Roll Call Vote: Sharon Marotti – yes, Bruce Evans – yes, Elizabeth Taylor – yes, Roland Bassett – yes, Paul Ruchinskas – yes, Peggy Jablonski – yes, Diane Pansire - yes, Chair Ellis - yes VOTE 8-yes 0-no 9.Project Updates We are all invited to join the Lower Cape Housing 101 Seminar on February 19th from 10am-12pm. It is very interesting information and a project the CPC is helping to fund. 10.Announcements -Donna Kalinick said Town Meeting is May 15th, this was just voted on by the Select Board on Monday. -There will be a district-wide vote on March 30th for the NRHS project. The post cards for the mail- in ballot process should go out next week. 11.Items the Chair could not anticipate – none MOTION made by Sharon Marotti to adjourn the meeting at 4:52pm. Diane Pansiri second. Roll Call Vote: Bruce Evans – yes, Elizabeth Taylor – yes, Paul Ruchinskas – yes, Roland Bassett – yes, Sharon Marotti – yes, Diane Pansire – yes, Chair Ellis - yes VOTE 7-yes 0-no Peggy Jablonski did not vote as she had left the meeting before the vote was taken. Respectfully submitted, Beth Devine, Recording Secretary Packets of additional documents available on website for public review. Rev. 02/20/21 Page 1 of 5 COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT FUNDING (Annual Town Meeting) ARTICLE NO.X : To see if the Town will vote to act on the report of the Community Preservation Committee on the Fiscal Year 2022 Community Preservation Budget and to appropriate or reserve for later appropriation monies from the Community Preservation Fund annual revenues or available funds for the administrative and operating expenses of the Community Preservation Committee, the undertaking of Community Preservation Projects and all other necessary and proper expenses for the year, with each item considered a separate appropriation to be spent by the Community Preservation Committee, all as set forth below: Estimated revenues FY22 a. Estimated FY22 tax surcharge $1,084,450 b. Estimated FY22 state contribution (15%) $ 162,668 c. FY22 Estimated Total: $1,247,118 FY22 Appropriations and Allocations d. Historic Preservation Reserve appropriation (10%) $124,712 e. Community Housing Reserve appropriation (10%) $124,712 f. Open Space Reserve appropriation (50%) $623,559 g. Budgeted Reserve* (30%) $374,135 h. Total $1,247,118 * 5% of FY22 Estimated Total ($62,356) is appropriated for Administrative Expense leaving a net total of $311,779 in Budgeted Reserve. Purpose Item Funding Source(s) Amount 1 Historic Preservation a.Brewster Natural Resources Department/Mill Sites Committee – Retaining Wall project Stony Brook Mill retaining wall reconstruction and restoration Transfer $125,000 from Historic Fund balance $125,000 Sub-total $125,000 2 Community Housing a.Town of Brewster Town Administration- Housing Coordinator Payroll and operating costs for Part Time Housing Coordinator position to assist public with affordable housing program Transfer $51,096 from Housing Fund balance $51,096 b.Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center - Veterans Home in Dennis Supportive housing for homeless veterans Transfer $52,500 from Housing Fund Balance $52,500 Rev. 02/20/21 Page 2 of 5 Sub-total $XXXXXX 3 Open Space a. Community Preservation Bonded Debt Service Payment of debt principal and interest for the BBJ Property, and Bates Property bonds Transfer $203,683 from Open Space fund balance $203,683 Sub-total $203,683 4 Budgeted Reserve a.Habitat for Humanity – Red Top Road Community Housing Creation of 2 affordable homes on Red Top Road Transfer $105,000 from Budgeted reserve $105,000 b.Brewster Affordable Housing Trust Fund - Rental Assistance Program Funding for Rental Assistance Program Transfer $150,000 from budgeted reserve $150,000 c.Dog Park Development Committee – Dog Park ($300,000 not yet voted) Creation of Brewster Dog Park Transfer $XXX,XXX from budgeted reserve $xxxxx d.Administration Expense Administration and operating expenses for Community Preservation Committee Fiscal Year 2022 CPA estimated annual revenues $62,356 Sub-total $xxx,xxx Grand Total $xxxxxxxxxxxxx For Fiscal Year 2022 Community Preservation purposes, each item is considered a separate appropriation to be spent by the Community Preservation Committee; provided however, that the above expenditures may be conditional on the grant or acceptance of appropriate historic preservation restrictions for historic resources, open space restrictions for open space reserves, and housing restrictions for community housing, running in favor of an entity authorized by the Commonwealth to hold such restrictions for such expenditures, meeting the requirements of G.L. c.184 and G.L. c.44B, Section 12, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to convey or accept such restrictions; Rev. 02/20/21 Page 3 of 5 And further, any revenues received in excess of the estimated receipts are transferred to their respective reserve fund balance(s) for future appropriation using the allocation formula of 50% Open Space, 10% Housing, 10% Historical and 30% for Budgeted Reserve for CPA. Or to take any other action relative thereto. (Community Preservation Committee) (Majority Vote Required) COMMENT In May of 2005, Brewster voters approved a ballot question which allowed for the adoption of the modified Community Preservation Act. The act appropriates a 3% surcharge on the town’s real estate tax revenues, which are reserved in a special fund in order to finance projects and programs for the purposes of preservation of open space, recreation, community housing, and historic preservation. Brewster is also eligible to receive up to 100% in matching funds from the State, although we anticipate a reduced reimbursement rate from the State for Fiscal Year 2022, which is projected at 15%. Brewster established, through a local bylaw, a distribution schedule for the CPA funds according to the following: 50% of the funds for open space, 10% for community housing, 10% for historic preservation, and 30% balance is available for housing, historic preservation and/or active or passive recreation projects. 1. Historic Preservation: a. Brewster Natural Resources Department and Mill Sites Committee – Stony Brook Mill retaining wall restoration – The historic Stony Brook Gristmill 2.69 acre site is divided east and west by Stony Brook, and north and south by Stony Brook Road. The Gristmill and mill ponds are located on the south side, with historic foundations and paths on the north side. The Lower Mill Pond dam was constructed to increase water levels in the pond for power for the gristmill, as well as to provide passage for migratory fish into the headwater ponds. A water control device is installed on the dam to control water into the “millers pond” which operates the mill. The retaining wall, an historic landmark, supporting this pond is failing and is in danger of collapse. And the stone masonry wall in the main pool near the street is also degraded. The wall forms the western side of the fish run. In order to function safely, and to protect the diadromous (migratory) fish run and water source for the gristmill, the wall needs to be rehabilitated or replaced. Total Project Cost: $457,700 CPC Request: $125,000 Estimated balance (reserve plus FY22 estimated revenues) if items approved: $475,174 2.Community Housing: a. Town of Brewster- Housing Coordinator - This item will fund the part-time Housing Coordinator position. The Community Preservation Committee has supported the Housing Coordinator position since 2017. The hiring of a housing coordinator was identified as a key strategy in the Brewster Housing Production Plan. The Housing Coordinator holds hours for the public weekly, supports multiple town committees, including the Housing Trust and Housing Rev. 02/20/21 Page 4 of 5 Partnership, works with regional housing agencies and organizations in town to promote housing choice. The housing coordinator is an integral part of the Town housing efforts, outlined in both the Town Vision Plan and the Select Board strategic plan. The Housing Coordinator helps to acquire, create, preserve and support community housing. Last year, the Housing Coordinator's work hours were increased to 25 hours per week, due to the growth of housing programs and initiatives. The FY22 request is to continue the position at 25 hours per week with the CPC providing funding for the salary and the Town providing funding for all benefits of the position. Our housing program continues to be a partnership of many town entities. Total Project Cost: $85,874 CPC Request: $51,096 b. Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center - Veterans Home in Dennis The Veterans Home in Dennis will provide supportive housing for five homeless veterans on Cape Cod and is sponsored by the Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center (CIVOC). The final goal of the project is to stabilize the circumstance of the veterans’ lives so that they are empowered to eventually move forward into their own independent and sustainable living situations. In March 2020, construction began on a 3500 sf, five-bedroom, five bath home at 1341 Route 134, Dennis. This home will be the location of the Supportive Housing Program which CIVOC has been implementing since 1996. The $50,000 Brewster CPC award will be used toward defraying construction expenses and thus reducing or eliminating the need for a mortgage on the property. An additional $2,500 of CPA funds will be set aside to cover the CPC’s legal expenses related to the project. Total Project Cost: $1,018,975 CPC Request: $52,500 Estimated balance (reserve plus FY22 estimated revenues) if items approved: $134,191 3. Open Space: a. Community Preservation Bonded Debt Service- This item pays for the $271,695 in FY 2022 principal and interest on 3 CPA (BBJ 1 and 2 and Bates) open space acquisitions that were financed via long term bonding. Estimated balance (reserve plus FY22 estimated revenues) if items approved: $923,008 4. Reserves for Community Preservation: a. Habitat for Humanity – Red Top Road Community Housing - Habitat for Humanity proposes to build 2 high quality three-bedroom affordable homes at 26 Red Top Road on land donated by a private Brewster resident. Habitat for Humanity Cape Cod provides homeownership opportunities for families at income levels not served by other affordability programs. Habitat’s home pricing model, along with financing assistance for qualified buyers, allows a household earning 40% of area median income, as adjusted for family size, to afford a home. The homes Rev. 02/20/21 Page 5 of 5 will be affordable in perpetuity, and will count on Brewster’s DHCD Subsidized Housing Inventory. Habitat intends to ask DHCD for a“veteran preference” pool for the family selection for one of the two homes, and for the other home to be open to Barnstable County residents. $100,000 of the award will go toward construction costs. $5,000 will be set aside to cover legal expenses incurred by the CPC in connection with the award. Total Project Cost: $786,884 CPC Request: $105,000 b. Brewster Affordable Housing Trust Fund – Rental Assistance Program: This item would fund the Brewster Affordable Housing Trust Rental Assistance Program (B-RAP) for two additional years. Over the past years, and exacerbated with the Covid-19 pandemic, year-round rental housing has become more difficult for Brewster households to afford. The Brewster Affordable Housing Trust Rental Assistance Program (B-RAP) assists low and moderate income Brewster households to both attain and retain rental housing. Using previous CPA funding, approved at the 2018 Fall Special Town Meeting, the Housing Trust developed the B-RAP program in response to identified needs in the community and designed the emergency assistance component in coordination with eight Lower Cape Towns and local social service agencies. The program, managed by Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC), provides a monthly rental subsidy as well as case management support to assist residents in affording rentals. The emergency Covid-19 assistance component provides funds to help households impacted by Covid-19 maintain their rental housing. Prior to using B-RAP funds, HAC works with applicants to access financial assistance from federal, state, and county programs as well as private donations. This initiative keeps Brewster residents housed, supports the health of the community, and provides landlords with needed funds. Total Project Cost: $225,000 CPC Request: $150,000 c. Dog Park Development Committee – Brewster Dog Park – Copy in summary from application. Total Project Cost: $XXXXXXXXXX CPC Request: $XXXXXXXXXXX d. Administrative Expense- This item will fund the costs associated with general administrative and operating expenses, including but not limited to legal and other professional consulting services, related to carrying out the operations of the Community Preservation Committee. The Community Preservation Act allows up to 5 % of expected annual revenues for this purpose. Estimated balance (reserve plus FY22 estimated revenues) if items approved: $xxx,xxxx Live, Work, Thrive Lower Cape Community Housing Partnership Update February 2021 In this newsletter: 2020-2021 Lower Cape Housing Institute Video Invitation Upcoming Events: o Lower Cape Housing 101 Training - February 19th o The RFP Process Training - March 5th o Affordable Housing Trusts & CPCs: Working Together - April 16th o 2020 - 2021 Lower Cape Housing Institute Calendar Town Updates Housing News & Resources 2020-2021 Lower Cape Housing Institute Video Invitation Lower Cape Housing Institute 2021 Upcoming Events Lower Cape Housing 101 Training Friday, February 19, 2021 REGISTER HERE When: Friday, February 19, 2021 Time: 10 am - 12 pm Where: Zoom This Housing 101 training is designed specifically to address barriers to housing production on the Lower Cape by providing effective strategies to increase housing in your town. In this training we will cover the basics about who needs housing, why housing is so hard to build and what you can do to increase housing production in your town. We'll also discuss the best ways to talk about housing so that you can be an effective agent of change in your role as a municipal official. You will leave this training with the knowledge and language to support housing initiatives as well as a firm understanding of what must be done to solve your town's housing crisis. Audience: new town staff and members of municipal boards and committees including: Select Boards, Finance Committee, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Community Preservation Committee, Affordable Housing Trust, Affordable Housing Committee/Local Housing Partnership, Open Space Committee, Conservation Commission, Housing Authority. Anyone from these boards who would like a refresher. Note: your registration is complete once you receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting links. If you do not receive an email, please contact Pelinda@capecdp.org to verify your registration. The RFP Process Friday, March 5, 2021 REGISTER HERE When: Friday, March 5, 2021 Time: 10 am - 12 pm Where: Zoom This year, our development training will focus on The RFP Process (RFP stands for Request for Proposals). Most of the towns in our region are on the brink of preparing to provide town land for housing. To find a developer, the town will need to issue an RFP. This training is provided in partnership with Massachusetts Housing Partnership and will walk through the process of writing a strong RFP that will attract high quality development. We'll discuss how to avoid a bid protest by understanding the things that trigger a public construction project. Audience: town staff and members of municipal boards and committees including: Select Boards, Finance Committee, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Community Preservation Committee, Affordable Housing Trust, Affordable Housing Committee/Local Housing Partnership, Open Space Committee, Conservation Commission, Housing Authority. Note: your registration is complete once you receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting links. If you do not receive an email, please contact Pelinda@capecdp.org to verify your registration. Affordable Housing Trusts & Community Preservation Act: Working Together Friday, April 16, 2021 REGISTER HERE When: Friday, April 16, 2021 Time: 10 am - 11:30 am Where: Zoom Every community on the Lower Cape has the Community Preservation Act (CPA) and some form of affordable housing trust. How do the boards work together to support affordable housing? How do communities off-Cape structure their relationships among different boards? Is your affordable housing trust well-funded? What do your regional partnerships look like? In this session, we will consider suggestions to help affordable housing trusts and community preservation committees (CPCs) work collaboratively and how other communities manage multiple organizations with a charge to support affordable housing. We will also consider ways to fund our housing work and discuss regional partnerships. Confirmed speakers: Shelly Goehring, Senior Program Manager, MHP Stuart Saginor, Executive Director, Community Preservation Coalition Audience: town staff and members of municipal boards and committees including: Select Boards, Finance Committee, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Community Preservation Committee, Affordable Housing Trust, Affordable Housing Committee/Local Housing Partnership, Open Space Committee, Conservation Commission, Housing Authority. Note: your registration is complete once you receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting links. If you do not receive an email, please contact Pelinda@capecdp.org to verify your registration. 2020-2021 Lower Cape Housing Institute Calendar CLICK HERE to register for all the Lower Cape Community Housing Partnership events. Town Updates Chatham Here's what else is happening in Chatham: The Selectboard is reviewing housing initiatives to be considered for Spring Town meeting. One proposal is to change the membership make-up of the Chatham Affordable Housing Trust which is currently the Select Board and two members at-large. The proposed new membership will consist of two select board members, one member of the Chatham Community Housing Partnership and other members at-large. Other proposals under review include a new public/private partnership municipal housing trust fund to allow projects that can address households earning up to 200% of Area Median Income and a potential purchase of land for affordable housing. Click here to read more. The median sales price in Chatham increased 4.6 percent to $862,750; a record setting year for local real estate. Click here to read the Cape Cod Chronicle article. Resources: Chatham Coronavirus Impact Fund Application Emergency Rental Assistance Program Application Chatham Ecumenical Council for Housing Application Harwich Year-round apartments proposed for Stone Horse dorms Main Street Stone Horse, LLC filed a petition with the planning board to amend its permitting to modify the north building at 868 Route 28 from 42 bedrooms to a multi-family structure containing 22 one-bedroom apartments. Both dormitories were originally constructed to house seasonal workers during the summer months. "Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the building as currently constructed is uneconomic" stated the owners. Read the Cape Cod Chronicle article here. Read the owner's narrative attached to the permit request here. Source: Cape Cod Chronicle Here's what else is happening in Harwich: Mary Anderson is running for Selectman in Harwich. Among the major issues facing the community, Anderson said the pandemic, keeping residents safe and businesses viable, would be first on her list. Housing needs are also a high priority. Read the Cape Cod Chronicle article here. Town Administrator Joseph Powers has entered into a new contract agreement with the board of selectmen that extends his tenure for more than three years. Powers has been serving as interim town administrator for a little more than a year. Click here to read more. Resources: Libby Arnold Steven's Resident Stabilization Fund Brewster Brewster Housing Updates Serenity Brewster - the former Wingate Assisted Living & Rehabilitation Center has been purchased by Elevation Financial Company. The property will be converted into a senior living community. Elevation Financial Group received zoning approval for the redevelopment of the former Wingate skilled nursing and assisted living facility at 873 Harwich Road. After rehabilitation of the building, 131 apartments will be available for renters aged 55 and up. Housing options will include a mix of studio, one and two bedroom units. Elevation Financial will designate 20% of the units affordable. They are forming an interested party list. Brewster Woods - site work is now underway for the construction of Brewster Woods on Brewster Housing Authority land off Brewster Road. Two buildings will comprise 30 one, two and three bedroom affordable apartments. Expected completion and opening is in 2021. Millstone Road Request for Proposal - The Brewster Affordable Housing Trust (BAHT) will be starting the Request for Proposal process with Laura Shufelt, Director of Community Assistance at Massachusetts Housing Partnership at their February 4th meeting. The goal is to have the RFP out by the fall of 2021. To learn more about the Millstone property, read the presentation or watch the video of the third community engagement session. Town Meeting Housing Articles and CPC Applications - There are four housing applications approved for town meeting: (1) Red Top Community Housing for $100,000, (2) Veteran's Home in Dennis for $50,000, (3) Rental Assistance funding for $150,000 and (4) funding for the Housing Coordinator position. The Red Top Road Community Housing is a Habitat for Humanity Cape Cod initiative. We will provide more information about Brewster's CPC housing articles in the March e-newsletter. Contact Housing Coordinator, Jill Scalise for any questions at jscalise@brewster-ma.gov. Here's what else is happening in Brewster: Brewster looks to adopt town charter. A charter committee will offer up a proposed charter for the approval of voters at town meeting in the spring. Read the Cape Cod Times article here. Resources: The Brewster Housing Trust offers a Rental Assistance Program which includes an emergency COVID-19 component for residents. Applications are through Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC) and supported by Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding for ongoing rental assistance of up to $500 per month. Emergency COVID-19 assistance is up to $6,000. Income limits apply. Brewster COVID Relief funds remain available for Brewster residents. See Fact Sheet for more information. CLICK HERE FOR THE BREWSTER COVID RELIEF APPLICATION. Orleans Orleans Housing Updates Pennrose, LLC, presented at the January 28th Community Preservation Committee (CPC) to discuss its request for $2 million to help buy the Cape Cod Five's former operations center for transformation into affordable housing. Pennrose is also seeking $700,000 in total from neighboring towns' community preserve committees toward the $3.25 million purchase price. Click here to watch the presentation. Pennrose has filed for a comprehensive permit and the next ZBA public hearing is scheduled on Wednesday, February 17th at 7 pm. 107 Main Street - Town Planner George Meservey along with Marsha Allgeier, Housing Coordinator met with the town administrator and town council to discuss procurement and disposal of land. They are currently drafting a request for proposal. Contact Housing Coordinator, Marsha Allgeier for any questions. Source: Town of Orleans Here's what else is happening in Orleans: Upcoming Housing Meetings: o Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board - February 16th at 4 pm o Pennrose (Cape Cod 5 property) ZBA public hearing - February 17th at 7 pm Eastham Eastham Housing Updates The Eastham Affordable Housing Trust has launched a new website: easthamhousinghelp.org and a new Instagram account to increase awareness of programs and assistance opportunities. They are also working on outreach videos which is in its final stages of production. The video is the first in a series that will focus on a variety of housing issues. The Trust continues to fund the HELP Rehabilitation Program. There are three projects completed to date and loans in the amount of $105,000. There are 12 out of 20 households in the Rental Assistance Program. There are available Emergency Rental Assistance funds for households impacted by COVID-19. The Town is preparing to hire a new Part Time Housing Coordinator. Funding in the amount of $40,000 CPA funds for year 1 of this position was approved at the September 2020 town meeting. The Housing Trust has submitted a request for CPA funding for $300,000 to fund the Trust's housing assistance programs for FY22. For any questions, contact the Town Planner, Paul Lagg. Resources: Eastham Emergency Rental Assistance Program application Wellfleet Emergency Housing Assistance If you lost income or are experiencing increased expenses due to COVID-19, the Wellfleet Emergency Rental Assistance may be able to help. All participants must complete an application and submit requested documents. Assistance with the application process is available at Homeless Prevention Council. CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION Source: Homeless Prevention Council Here's what else is happening in Wellfleet: You can sign up here for the Wellfleet Housing Authority quarterly newsletter and receive housing updates. Read the January issue. The next Affordable Housing Trust meeting is scheduled on February 8th at 5:30 pm. They are slated to discuss the Trust's mission statement. Click here to listen to the February 3rd Planning Board meeting discussion about a potential Affordable Accessory Dwelling Unit / Accessory Dwelling Unit (AADU / ADU) bylaw. Truro Cloverleaf Community Housing gets unanimous approval The ZBA approved the comprehensive permit for Cloverleaf, a 39-unit affordable housing rental development at 22 Highland Road. To review the documents files including waivers and unit mix, click here. It is unknown if the Pond Village group will appeal as they raised concerns about the low water quality and nitrogen levels in the surrounding wells. They hired an attorney to represent their interest in December. They have 20 days from the date its filed with the town clerk to appeal the ZBA's decision. The Provincetown Independent reported on February 3rd that the Cloverleaf decision has not been filed. Truro town counsel and acting town planner Barbara Carboni indicated that the zoning board of appeals had not yet filed its unanimous Jan. 14 decision. The document was still "in the process of being finalized and signed," she said. "I'm not sure when it will be filed." Read more here. Source: Town of Truro | Provincetown Independent Resources: Truro Emergency Housing Assistance has funds available. All participants must complete an application and submit requested documents. Assistance with the application process is available at Homeless Prevention Council. Provincetown Here's what else is happening in Provincetown: The Provincetown Housing Authority (PHA) is on track to build 10 to 15 bedrooms of supportive housing at 46 Harry Kemp Way, behind senior housing at Maushope. On November 2nd, PHA closed on a .35-acre parcel of the Hawthorne estate, following the September 21st Annual Town Meeting voice-vote, which allotted $425,000 in Community Preservation Funds for the purchase. The PHA received a $60,000 in a CPA Grant in 2018 to hire a development consultant and is now sending out an RFP to engage an expert to assist them in their efforts to create new housing in Provincetown. Resources Early Signs Point to a Healthy CPA Trust Fund in 2021 Recent trends indicate a "healthy" 2021 distribution This past November, the state distributed over $55 million from the CPA Trust Fund to communities, and for most municipalities this resulted in the third straight year of increased matching funds. This record high amount was possible because of legislation that was passed to increase the CPA revenue stream. Community Preservation Coalition recent trends point towards a 2021 distribution that should be just as rewarding. Because the new fee schedule for the CPA Trust Fund went into effect on December 30th, 2019, the most recent distribution only included 10 months of revenue at the increased level. November of 2021 will include all 12 months of collections at the increased level, and recent reports already indicate that this will result in a great match for communities. Earlier this month State House News reported that home sales in the state have hit a 16-year high and when the real estate market is thriving, so does the CPA Trust Fund. Read more at the Community Preservation Coalition monthly CPA collections page: the revenue from the Registries of Deeds for November and December are 179% higher than they were last year under the old fee schedule. Source: www.communitypreservationcoalition.org Use Rooms Tax Dollars for Housing "Our towns now have an important tool to counter this threat to the future of a viable year-round community." CDP's Jay Coburn and Hadley Luddy, CEO of the Homeless Prevention Council co- authored an OP-Ed in the Provincetown Independent. Based on a January 21st article, the four Outer Cape towns collected over $3.8 million in new revenue thanks to the expansion of the rooms occupancy tax to cover short-term rentals of 30 days or less. Jay and Hadley stated that they believe it is critical to dedicate these funds to the creation of year-round rental housing to mitigate the impact short-term vacation rentals have had on the year-round housing market. Click here to read more. Source: Provincetown Independent Sign-up for CDP's Small Business Updates Sign up for CDP's monthly newsletter. After filling in your email address and name, scroll down to select Business Development Programs. We look forward to keeping you informed about how we're creating opportunities for people to live, work, and thrive on the Lower Cape. For questions about Business Development Programs, contact Pam Andersen at Pam@capecdp.org Sign Up Here! Thank you for your interest in the Lower Cape Community Housing Partnership. This comprehensive community-based strategy is designed to help towns solve the issue of a lack of affordable housing and also build support for affordable housing in our communities. We are doing this through three initiatives: Lower Cape Housing Institute, Lower Cape Housing Advocacy Program, and a Public Education Campaign. For questions about the Lower Cape Community Housing Partnership: Pelinda Deegan, Housing Advocacy Program Manager pelinda@capecdp.org | (508) 240-7873 x15 | www.capecdp.org See what's happening on our social sites: Community Development Partnership, 3 Main Street Mercantile, Unit #7, Eastham, MA 02642 SafeUnsubscribe™ faythe.ellis@outlook.com Forward this email | Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by pelinda@capecdp.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!