HomeMy Public PortalAboutHousing Partnership -- 2018-10-18 Minutes DEW 133P0
Brewster Housing Partnership
RB)STER TU14 F;LERK
Minutes of the October 17, 2018 Meeting
Members Present: Lisa Forhan, Diane Pansire, Ned Chatelain, Vanessa Greene, Ralph Marotti
Guests Present : Jill Scalise, Housing Coordinator and Karen Thurber, Council on Aging
1 . Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 6 ; 03 PM.
2 . Approval of Minutes : Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as drafted.
3 . Accessory Dwelling Unit By-law Update : Jill Scalise noted that the Planning Board
held a public hearing on October 1Othwith 12- 15 individuals in attendance . She reported
that the Housing Partnership ' s letter was read into public comment along with over 10
other pieces of public comment. The main change is under 17942 .2 and relates to the
ability to place ADUs in Zone 2 with a special permit. Ned noted that this represents an
overall liberalization of the previous draft. Jill noted that the draft will now be referred to
the Select Board, then referred to Town Warrant for vote at the next Special Town
Meeting and that outreach will be important to share the information with the members of
the Town. Methodologies for outreach were discussed . The other housing related article
schedule for Town Meeting (funding of the Brewster Affordable Housing Trust) was also
discussed .
4 . Updates from Housing Coordinator : Jill noted that she had received a lot of questions
on the new ADU by-law proposal and that the buy- down program was busy in the month
of September. There are currently 3 households on the buy-down waitlist and 1
household is in the process of buying a property. She noted that it is a complicated
program and recommended reviewing the program for potential streamlining in the future
as part of a continual evaluation process. She provided an update on the Brewster
Affordable Housing Trust activity including recent training and meetings . She also noted
that the Cape Housing Institute has started and that herself and Donna Kalinick were
presenting a brief session on Community Engagement. Further conversation surrounded
potential streamlining of the buy-down program and whether funds are perceived as
buying down the cost of the house vs . paying closing costs .
5 . Draft Public Engagement Policy : A draft Public Engagement Policy was reviewed for
any feedback for the Select Board. Discussion was held regarding approved forums for
posting Town information. Lisa will check the date that feedback is required.
6 . Items Not Reasonably Anticipated : Options for meeting times were discussed as there
are now several meetings on the third Wednesday of the month and it has become a space
challenge . Jill offered to check with the Town on availability for the first Wednesday of
the month and provide this information at next month' s meeting. Lisa noted that this
would be talked about next month.
Meeting adjourned at 6 : 34 PM . Next meeting : November 21 , 2018 6 : 00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Vanessa L . Greene