HomeMy Public PortalAboutMisc. -- 10/04/2018 Minutes Brewster Housing Trust
October 4, 2018 Ss30pm Room A, Brewster Town Hall
Present : Ben deRuyter, Paul Ruchinskas, Madalyn Hillis- Dineen, Donna Kalinick
Maggie Spade-Aguilar, Tim Hackert, Jill Scalise
Absent : Sarah Robinson
Call to Order : Ms . Kalinick called the meeting to order at 5 : 30pm .
Citizens Forum : None
Housing Trust Training Comments and Follow- Up : Members provided positive feedback about the
value of the trainings . Members agreed that personal stories add a face to the housing crisis and who we
are trying to assist . Ms . Scalise thanked Trust members for their strong attendance . Ms . Kalinick stated
that we could bring MHP in for more directed trainings in the future if we feel we need it and there will
also be a Trust Session in the spring sponsored by CDP .
Next Steps Discussion : November election of officers, trustee requirements, possible webpage : Ms .
Kalinick told other trust members since they valued the importance of personal stories in understanding
and advocating for housing, she would share hers . Ms . Kalinick, due to personal issues with substance
abuse of a member of her family was displaced from her home and has been in a rental in Brewster for
the last few years . Ms . Kalinick has lived in Brewster for over 20 years, but recently moved out of town .
The way that the Trust bylaw was written , you must be a resident of Brewster to serve on the trust .
Neither the interim town administrator, the other assistant town administrator and now Ms . Kalinick are
Brewster residents . Interim Town Administrator, Mark Forest, has indicated that he wants Ms . Kalinick
to continue to represent administration, even if she is not a voting member . The bylaw will have to be
amended in May, since it is likely the new town administrator may not be a Brewster resident . The
amendment will remove the residency requirement for the Town Administrator or his designee, as long
as the designee is an employee of the Town of Brewster. Trust members were supportive of this course
of action .
Officers will be elected at the November meeting as Ms . Robinson is not present . Elections include a
Chair, Vice Chair and Clerk .
The Trust discussed a possible webpage . It was agreed that it would be better if the Trust had its own
page on the town website, versus being under the Housing Department, but they can be linked to each
other . Mr. deRuyter noted how important the web page information is as it will be how we
communicate the need and the work that the Trust is doing . Ms . Spade -Aguilar suggested there be
personal stories, maybe video bios and data which supports what Brewster looks like as suggested at the
Housing Institute . Ms . Hillis- Dineen suggested it be easy to read and used as a PR tog), Mr . Hackert
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thought outlining what the problem is and how to fix it would be good fMr. Ruchinsl, s said that
messaging is important . Mr. deRuyter asked what the Town IT websiteplicy is and 'gould we need
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outside resources . Ms . Kalinick will look into this . It was agreed that members would look at other Trust
websites, such as Beverly and some non - profits to bring forward ideas .
Goal Setting Process : It was clear from the Trust training that taking the time to set goals is very
important . Mr . deRuyter thinks that a 5 year plan would assist in outlining what is needed and then
funding can be identified to accomplish the goals . Mr . Ruchinskas agreed that it would be helpful to the
CPC in supporting funding requests . Mr . Ruchinskas is interested in creating rehabilitation, rental
assistance and other buy down programs . Ms . Kalinick said one of her primary goals is to have a
rehabilitation program in place within 12 to 18 months, but it would require non - CPC funds . Mr . Hackert
noted it is important to be realistic with goals, practical and focused . Members will also review other
Trusts goals and plans and come back with specific goals and formats . It was also agreed that it would be
good to coordinate with other entities such as the Select Board, Council on Aging and the Housing
Partnership . Ms . Scalise will send out the powerpoint that Yarmouth provided about the work their
Trust has done to help inform the process .
Update on funding of Trust : CPC and Town Funding Requests : Ms . Kalinick and Ms . Scalise met with
the CPC Housing Sub- Committee and had a good discussion about the work of the Trust and the value of
the partnership with the CPC . The Housing Sub-Committee approved the request of $ 100, 000 and
referred it to the full CPC . They will take the request up at their meeting on 12th . There was concern
about the lack of specificity of how the funds will be spent, but they were generally understanding of the
need for the Trust to have some start up money and funds to intervene if an existing unit were at risk .
The Town request is on hold due to the ongoing financial uncertainties .
Update on Millstone Road Parcel : pre -feasibility request : The request for Technical Assistance was sent
to MHP through the Select Board . A meeting and site visit have been scheduled for October 26th at
11am . Mr. Ruchinskas as the CPC chair and Trust member as well as Select person deRuyter . Ms . Scalise
and Ms . Kalinick will be in attendance as well . The estimated cost for the work is $ 20, 000 of which we
expect MHP to contribute half. The survey work on the parcels is almost complete .
Brewster Housing Update : Ms . Scalise provided an update on her work which included 2 buy down
applications, outreach to the Health & Human Services Committee, outreach and research for the
proposed ADU bylaw and attendance at Planning Board discussions . The Town received a Community
Partner award from Habitat . Ms . Scalise has been working with DCHD on our SHI and a resale of a unit .
Ms . Scalise assisted Ms . Kalinick with the CPC application and the pre-feasibility for Millstone . Ms .
Scalise also holds open office hours for residents .
Any other Business : Interim Town Administrator introduced himself and thanked Trust members for
their commitment . Mr. Forest is involved with Housing Assistance Corporation and is a Selectman in
Yarmouth . He talked about the importance of using the Commission' s Housing Data and working with
other towns and agencies . He also was supportive of the rehabilitation program and believes the Town
can get CDBG funds .
Approval of Minutes from September 6, 2018 : Members received the minutes earlier today and did not
have time to review them . They will be held for approval until the next meeting .
Discussion of Next Meeting and best times : The next meeting will be Thursday November 1st at 5 : 30 .
Election of officers as well as goal setting and website/communication will be on the agenda .
Selectman deRuyter moved to adjourn at 6 : 50 pm, Mr . Hackert second . The vote was unanimous in
favor .
Respectfully Submitted ,
Donna J . Kalinick
Assistant Town Administrator
Approved 11 . 01 . 18