Date: 12/15/2010
Location: 2nd Floor North Hearing Room, Hingham Town Hall
Called to order: 7:00 pm
Attendance: Gretchen Condon, Gary Ludwig, Jim O'Brien, Kevin Connelly, Laura Burns, Susan Crowley, Tim White and Blake Auchincloss
With a quorum present, Gretchen Condon opened the meeting.
Announcements: Blake Auchincloss discussed a recent inquiry from a citizen regarding current availability of 40B housing units.
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Tim White and seconded by Susan Crowley to approve the minutes of the meeting of December 1, 2010, as presented, with the correction that the Lincoln School Apartments HAP contract renewal options are at 5 year intervals. A vote was taken and all were in favor; the motion passed.
Treasurer's Report and Approval of Invoices: There was no report and there were no new invoices to approve. Laura Burns discussed the Town's receipt of the auditor's Management Letter, which called attention to the limited number of line item accounts set up for the Trust. Discussion followed with a consensus that Susan Crowley would request the Accounting Department to provide more detailed reporting. No formal action was taken.
Lincoln School Apartments Update: Jim O'Brien reported that the Board of Managers is waiting for the architectural mockup of the windows. No formal action was taken.
80 Beal Street Update: Mr. Vcevold O. Strekalovsky, President, and Mark Coughlin of Strekalovsky Architecture Inc. joined the meeting. Also in attendance and part of the team was Peter Palmieri, a civil engineer from Merrill Associates. Lynn Sweet, a financial and permitting consultant from LDS Consulting Group, was unable to attend the meeting. Mr. Strekalovsky distributed Talking Points dated December 15, 2010, and prepared by LDS, which presented a preliminary set of budget numbers. He noted that Ms. Sweet is working on the background information and procedural issues. Mr. Strekalovsky distributed a preliminary site plan for eight units, which is the basis of the pro forma, showing optional garages and typical floor plans. Discussion followed regarding the Board's desire for more than two affordable units on the site, the $150,000 contribution from the CPC that was not factored into the pro forma, incentives for developers, expenses to date, the approved 2010 Town Meeting warrant article, possible funding options by the Trust, the necessity at this stage to have only a pro forma that works, the need for an RFP for disposition of the property if the Trust wants to sell to a developer, having a project that is financeable, sustainability and effect on the development's future operating budget, and adding one or two more affordable units.
Peter Palimieri provided an update on his research regarding the railroad, his pending inquiring with DOT, the expected completion of the base plan by the end of next week, his meeting with the Conservation Commission, the ORAD plan, the scheduling of soil testing for next week, and his meeting the Sewer Commission supervisor and expectation to be able to tie in on Beal Street without a pump station. Discussion followed regarding site plans, the Board's desire for fluency between this site and the Selectmen's Parcel, the ACEC area, and the MEPA application for the DPW site and the Board's concern for this site. Mr. Palimieri agreed to show the ACEC line on the base plan.
Mark Coughlin provided an update on the existing structure, noting its age and that it is not a historic building, recommending demolition, and agreeing to provide a formal feasibility letter to the Board. Discussion followed regarding modular construction, area realtor interest in the property, condominium ownership, future modifications by owners, design control over initial construction and future changes, master deeds, maintenance, long-term ability to maintain the site, and the existence of any history of ability of affordable unit owners to contribute as costs increase. The Board requested that LDS look with more detail at 40B development condo fees and the history of other 40B communities. Discussion continued regarding case law regarding different fees for market and affordable units, the Board's concern that the suggested homeowner fees as presented may be insufficient, exclusive use areas, the documents needed for a 40B site approval submission, the requirement for a lottery upon resale of an affordable unit, parking, garages on market units, inclusion of laundry facilities, the expectation for full basements, egress, and floor plans. Mr. Strekalovsky anticipated to have more developed plans with elevations for the next meeting. No formal action was taken.
2011 Town Meeting Warrant Article: Discussion followed regarding the allocation plan and wording for the 2011 Town Meeting warrant article. A motion was made by Tim White and seconded by Susan Crowley to submit a 2011 Town Meeting warrant article using the same language as the 2010 warrant article except changing the referenced dates of 2010 and 2011, to 2011 and 2012. A vote was taken, showing Gary Ludwig, Jim O'Brien, Kevin Connelly, Laura Burns, Susan Crowley, Tim White and Blake Auchincloss in favor, and Gretchen Condon opposed; the motion passed. Laurie Zivkovich will forward the 2011 warrant article to the Selectmen and the Advisory Board.
Trust Reorganization: Gretchen Condon announced that she is stepping down as Chair due to time constraints. Discussion followed. A motion was made by Laura Burns and seconded by Jim O'Brien to nominate Tim White as Chair of Board of Trustees and Gretchen Condon as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. Tim White accepted his nomination. Gretchen Condon accepted her nomination. A vote was taken and all were in favor; the motion passed.
Next Meeting: The next meeting will be at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 12, 2010.
Adjourn: A motion was made by Gretchen Condon and seconded by Kevin Connelly to adjourn the meeting. A vote was taken and all were in favor; the motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 9:03 pm.
Respectfully submitted by: Laurie Zivkovich, Administrative Assistant
Approved on: January 19, 2011