BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR SESSION
MONDAY, October 17, 2005
Earle Mountain Room
PRESENT: Linda S. Burt, Chair; Selectman Joyce E. Brookshire, Vice-Chair; Selectman Kenelm L.. Collins, Clerk; Selectman Russell H. Sandblom; Selectman Peter
L. Whitlock. Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator
Alice Boyd, Bailey Boyd Associates
Audience: over 100
Selectman Burt called the Regular Session to order at 6:40 p.m., allowing for the large audience
to be seated.
APPOINTMENTS
6:40 p.m. Town Sponsored Bay Meadows Affordable Housing Development Update
- Alice Boyd, Bailey Boyd Associates
Ms. Boyd noted that she has worked with the Town of Eastham for approximately fifteen years, and expressed her thanks to the Board of Selectmen and Administrator for their hard work in making these affordable housing lotteries possible.
Ms. Boyd noted that New Boston Enterprises has been awarded the bid for the Bay Meadows homes (off of North Sunken Meadow) and McShane Corporation is constructing the Brackett Road homes. Ms. Boyd was delighted to inform the audience that the homes are beautiful and promise to be “top notch.” Ms. Boyd offered a very positive informational session with handouts available to all (attached). She stressed that confidentiality is a primary consideration given to any information received from applicants, and that her staff and Cape Cod Five will be the only parties privy to this information. Additionally, all information will be shredded after an audit of same has been completed.
Ms. Boyd noted that there will be two (2) different lotteries. The Brackett Road lottery will be the second of the two held, most probably in February and March. Ms. Boyd encouraged people to apply for the Brackett Road lottery if they do not qualify for the Bay Meadows lottery. There will be a lottery for 15 affordable duplexes and homes in early 2006.
Of the eighteen homes being built for the first lottery (Bay Meadows) ten are for affordable housing. Seven homes have been reserved for Eastham residents only, “the maximum allowed by law. Eastham residents and residents from any other community are eligible for the remaining three (3) units.” It should be noted that “applicants will be selected ‘blind’ by the Eastham Board of Selectmen with witnesses verifying the process. Candidates will be ranked according to specific criteria provided by DHCD LIP Lottery Guidelines to determine order of selection.” Information regarding these lotteries will available at Town Hall and on the Town of Eastham’s website (www.eastham-ma.gov).
There will be another informational meeting held on Saturday, November 5 at 10:00 a.m. at Town Hall.
Applications must be picked up and returned in person. Applications will be available at Town Hall as indicated on the attached calendar from November 7 - 12, and in Harwich on November 13th, 2005 (by appointment only in Harwich). Applications must be returned in person from November 28 through December 11, 2005. No applications will be given out after November 13, 2005. Bailey Boyd will have personnel ready to meet with applicants one-on-one to answer personal questions. They will walk through the application process with each candidate.
Ms. Boyd suggested accessing a free credit report at annualcreditreport.com, and stressed that it is necessary to have good credit. This service will provide individuals with a credit report, so that individuals can look into correcting any errors right away. However, this service will not reveal a credit score. To receive this, there is a charge. The bank will give each individual a letter, indicating whether or not they have been accepted.
The Lottery “will happen” on Tuesday, December 20, 2005. Bailey Boyd will then go through
an income-qualifying process for each application. By law, 6% must be minority. The lottery
“cannot happen” until the 6% for minorities has been reached.
Following the lottery, the first four letters of the individuals name and last four of the individual’s Social Security number who have been picked will be posted, and individuals will be informed by phone and mail as well.
Ms. Boyd then proceeded to answer general questions from the audience which included the following: separate applications are necessary for the Brackett Road lottery; listing of selected individuals will be placed on an Excel spread sheet - with household numbers; the first one(s) that meets the criteria gets the house(s); strict guidelines are placed by HUD; utility bills can be used to establish residence; advisors will help to identify these issues; a down payment is required - Cape Cod 5 will help guide you; the Brackett Road process will start in the winter; choices are not available for the “finishing” of the inside of the homes as this would increase the cost to the builder significantly. They would then not be able to buy in bulk; houses will have a range and a dishwasher - items
that need to be installed before completion; once you get the home it is yours, and it does not matter if your income goes up; if you want to sell your home, Eastham gets the first right of refusal; selling these homes is not a problem, there is usually a waiting list for same; will go down a list of “alternates” until all of the homes are assigned.
7:20 Many individuals in the audience left at this time.
Additionally, Ms. Boyd then noted the following:
Ms. Boyd noted that a grant had been received to move a house next to the Senior Center;
Bailey Boyd is hoping to get a grant for housing at the Neighborhood Gas Station.
It looks like there is a very positive funding source that may be available for this project. However, the $800,000 lien on the property is still a hindrance. Whoever gets the project
will negotiate with the DEP. The goal is to ensure that there is no liability for the town;
A number of other projects are being considered, which include the Purcell property.
7:35 p.m. The Board of Selectmen thanked Ms. Boyd for her informative presentation.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Action/Discussion
Fuel Assistance Program Re-authorization and Review of Guidelines
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that at present a family can receive fuel assistance ($200 limit) upon the
recommendation by the Lower Outreach Council and funded by the Town of Eastham’s Timothy Smith Fund. The amount awarded supplements the Federal Assistance Program whose guidelines are based on income. Lower Cape Outreach has asked that the town lower the requirements.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that individuals first go through the Town of Eastham’s Council on Aging and then we receive the requests through the Lower Cape Outreach Council. High heating bills and resulting hardships associated with those heating bills are anticipated. At this time, Ms. Vanderhoef recommends that the minimal amount be raised from $200 to $400 - $450.00, with the stipulation that families in need can reapply for more amounts as necessary, and as available, but with no guarantee. Additionally, Ms. Vanderhoef recommended keeping the current guidelines in place as is.
Selectman Collins moved and Selectman Sandblom seconded the motion to increase the amount available for fuel assistance to families that meet the Federal Guidelines currently in place from $200.00 to $450.00, in consideration of anticipated hardships incurred from higher heating bills. Additionally, families that have received fuel assistance can reapply for more if monies are remaining and/or available. Approved 5-0.
Mr. Fred Fenlon (Assembly of Delegates) noted that individuals should keep appraised of fuel assistance programs through N Star, and should go on their web site for more information.
7:48 p.m. Confirmation of Appointment to Community Preservation Committee -Sue Horton
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that in the Board of Selectmen’s meeting held on October 3, 2005, there was some confusion as to the Open Space Committee’s nominee to represent the Open Space
Committee on the Community Preservation Committee. Ms. Sue Horton was the intended
nominee.
Selectman Brookshire made a motion and Selectman Whitlock seconded the motion to appoint Ms. Sue Horton as a representative from the Open Space Committee to the Community Preservation Committee for a three year term to expire on June 30, 2008. Approved 5-0.
7:50 p.m. Committee Liaisons - Board of Selectmen Listing
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that at this time in reviewing the Committee Liaison list the Planning Board will now meet at 6:00 p..m. instead of 7:00 at their regularly scheduled meeting on the second Wednesday of the month, and the Bikeways committee will be meeting on the first Wednesday of every month at 8:15 a.m.
Ms. Vanderhoef suggested finalizing the list at the upcoming Board of Selectmen’s work session at Wednesday’s Work Session if so desired.
The Board of Selectmen conferred, and noted that the listing (attached) as presented was acceptable, with the following additions/changes:
Committee Assigned: Meeting Schedule
Community Preservation Committee Linda Burt 2nd Thursday @
5:30 p.m.
Energy Committee Ken Collins 2nd Friday @
3:00 p.m. at the
Police Station
There was also a reminder that one appointee by the Board of Selectmen still needs to be made
for the Finance Committee. It is desirable to fill that seat before the upcoming budgetary process
begins. There are also openings on the Conservation Commission and the Recreation Commission.
MINUTES
DATE SESSION MOVED SECONDED VOTE
September 21, 2005 WORK SESSION Ken Peter 5-0
October 3, 2005 REGULAR SESSION Joy Peter 4-0-1
October 3, 2005 EXECUTIVE SESSION
* There was a correction made on the Executive Session
minutes. This will be voted on at another time, after it is so revised.
OTHER BUSINESS
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that she will be attending a Fiscal Crisis meeting at the Federal Reserve tomorrow. Susan Barker (Intern, Town of Eastham) will be attending this meeting with Ms. Vanderhoef.
Mr. Fenlon noted that a recent malfunction of the air conditioning in the Police Department that was supplied by The Cape Light Compact and installed by Rise Engineering is in the process of being resolved at no cost to the Town.
The Board of Selectmen discussed joining the Waste Water Collaborative, and decided that
at this time, they would like to join the Collaborative. Doing so will afford the Town more
options and opportunity to review contracts, etc.
After a short discussion, Selectman Whitlock moved and Selectman Brookshire seconded
the motion to join the Waste Water Collaborative. Approved 5-0.
Selectman Brookshire found the recent conference sponsored by the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Public Access Committee of
of Eastham (P.A.C.E.) very interesting. There was some discussion by the participants
at the P.A.C.E. Conference noting that at the last Town Meeting many in the audience could not clearly hear what was going on. The recommendation was made at the conference to look into hiring a court stenographer for such meetings. This individual’s expertise would allow that individual to transcribe the proceedings right onto a large screen, so that the meeting could be comprehended as it was taking place. The recommendation was made to look into the feasibility of this for future town meetings.
Selectmen Whitlock moved and Selectman Brookshire seconded the motion at 8:15 p.m., to go into Executive Session for the purposes of Contract Negotiations and not to return to Public Session. Selectman Whitlock, yes; Selectman Brookshire, yes; Selectman Burt, yes; Selectman Sandblom, yes; Selectman Collins, yes.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorraine Speros
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