Date: 7/13/09
Called to order: 7:40 pm
Attendance: Blake Auchincloss, Christopher Burns, Gretchen Condon, Susan Crowley, Gary Ludwig, Laura Burns, Jim O’Brien.
Guests: Jim Watson & Carl Nagy-Koechlin, Dir. South Shore Housing
Discussion:
Mr. Koechlin updated us as to his selection and appointment as new director for South Shore Housing and the work completed in his career. He reported that South Shore Housing had been in financial trouble recently due to a real estate deal that went bad and he was looking forward to relationships with the private sector to help further the organization. In his past involvement with the Fenway Community Development Corporation he utilized these methods and was successful in establishing over 500 units of affordable housing. He further explained that SS Housing’s budget is 2/3 income from DHCD and 1/3 other sources such as Sec 8 housing administration, etc. We thanked him for the update and his time.
Discussed options for Selectman’s parcel with regard to wetland delineations now, or refer back to an RFP process. The determination to continue forward through Conservation ourselves would be beneficial so mitigation and concerns are addressed at the HAHT level.
Mr. O’Brien updated committee about continued discussion relating to SS Habitat for Humanity’s loan program and processing through SS Savings Bank. They have $40MM under mortgage control, but SS Savings Bank has a third party administer the loans and some problems occurred in the past. Foreclosure threats and calls from the third party firm caused intervention by SS Habitat and special procedures set up through SS Savings Bank. Would be difficult to utilize same procedure for the small amounts we have available in our loan program.
Motions:
Next Meeting: 8/17/09 at 7:30 pm
Respectfully submitted by: James V. O’Brien, Secretary