Town of Chatham, MA - Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 2/27/07

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of the February 20, 2007 Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Mr. Bergstrom Seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted four in favor and one abstention (Mrs. Bohman did not attend the February 20 meeting).

Mr. Hubbard told the Board of Selectmen he dropped off a petition for the Annual Town Meeting Warrant.

Mrs. Norma Avellar suggested the Board of Selectmen form a committee to develop a plan for the MCI property. She feels the Town may have been hasty in its perception of how the property should be used.

Mr. Norris attended this meeting. He introduced himself and told the Board of Selectmen he will continue to run the store as it has been. Mrs. Bohman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the transfer of the All Alcohol Package Store license from Tony Zombas to Dash, Inc. d/b/a Shop Ahoy, David Norris Manager. Ms. Connors seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mr. Charles Christie, Vice-chairman of the Affordable Housing Committee attended this meeting to review the work the Committee has done and to update the Board of Selectmen concerning their current activities. Mr. Christie also presented a status report on the portions of the Long Range Plan that are applicable to the Affordable Housing Committee.

Discussion also included some of the information brought out at the Chatham Housing Summit which was held in January and provided important and positive information for everyone to work with. One important statement Mr. Christie made was that the Town needs to explore use of the land more efficiently by designing multiplex units thereby allowing more bedrooms on less land.

Mr. Summers said he is concerned with the Lake Street housing and in the way the units are being let. He noted Chatham residents or people with connections to Chatham were supposed to be given high priority, but he has heard the marketing by Community Builders is Cape wide.

Ms. Connors asked that the Affordable Housing Committee assist the Town with efforts to educate homeowners and provide direction concerning a Protective Bylaw change to assist homeowners with accessory apartments. She also feels the Town needs an amnesty program for existing apartments that may not meet the provisions of our Bylaws.

In response to the previous discussion, Chatham Housing Authority Chairman Janet Daly suggested the Board of Selectmen talk to our housing consultants about Fair Housing Laws that have to be followed when reviewing applications for leasing the affordable units on Lake Street.

Mr. Bergstrom said he realizes there are people who are disappointed or not well informed about the procedures, but he is afraid the Town will lose support for affordable housing if negative statements are allowed to perpetuate. Ms. Daly tried to answer questions that were raised about the Lake Street housing application eligibility requirements and the State’s Fair Housing Law.

Mr. Whitcomb suggested that perhaps the Town needs a better definition of what constitutes “Chatham connections.”

Ms. Daly told the Board the Chatham Housing Authority is withdrawing its proposal to convert two residences on the MCI North property to affordable housing.

Ms. Daly said the Authority is requesting the Board of Selectmen vote to place an Article on the Town Meeting Warrant to allow the four houses in the Rent-to-Own program to be leased by the Authority for fifteen years.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen place an Article on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant leasing the four houses in the Rent-to-Own program for fifteen years. Mrs. Bohman seconded the motion.

Mr. Summers said he cannot support this motion because he feels the Town needs to remain flexible in the use of this property. He feels the Town has made strides towards affordable housing and we can continue to do that without conforming to State mandates.

Mr. Bergstrom said he will support putting it on the Warrant but feels the State’s guideline for 10% affordable housing is an artificial goal. Mr. Bergstrom continues to feel the definition of affordable does not help the workforce people who cannot afford to stay in Chatham. Ms. Daly noted the Comprehensive Plan accepts the State guideline.

Mr. Whitcomb said he cannot vote to tie up this land because he does not want to preclude another use.

Mrs. Florence Seldin said the Town can have more specific criteria for units that are obtained with private funds but the Fair Housing Law comes into effect when tax credits or State and Federal funding is provided.

Director of Coastal Resources Ted Keon attended this meeting to ask the Board of Selectmen to place an Article on the Town Meeting Warrant to exempt the MCI property from the provisions of the prevailing wage section of the State’s Procurement laws.

Mr. Bergstrom moved the Board of Selectmen vote to place this Article on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Mr. Summers seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Connors Moved the Board of Selectmen recommend approval of this Article to the Annual Town Meeting. Mrs. Bohman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Principal Planner Terry Whalen attended this meeting to present a proposal to the Board of Selectmen to place an Article on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant to gift a parcel of Town-owned land to a non-profit entity to contribute to the production of Affordable Housing.

The Land is on Goose Pond Road and is approximately 9.5 acres. Mr. Whalen presented three test concepts in his power point. If the Town Meeting were to approve the gift of land, the Board of Selectmen would choose the most advantageous proposal after seeking public input, and if consistent with the Town’s land use and affordable housing goals.

Mr. Bergstrom said it is always a dilemma to consider proposals when open space vs. affordable housing. He did note this areas is not near public transportation or other public services. Mr. Hinchey said this plan is in keeping with the Board of Selectmen goals.

Mr. Summers said he would like public input on the proposals. He reiterated his belief that the Town could meet affordable housing needs if the Protective Bylaw is changed to allow reasonable development.

The Board of Selectmen would like more time to consider this proposal and it will be added to the Board of Selectmen’s agenda for March 27, 2007.

At that time, Mr. Whitcomb asked that the staff provide a locus map showing the surrounding property, the assessed value of the property, and identify other areas that could be considered.

Mr. Summers said he would like to request that staff provide draft of Zoning Bylaw changes that enhance the development of affordable housing and accessory apartments. He would like to see a menu of changes presented to Town Meeting to ask the voters what they envision for the Town. Mr. Hinchey said that would not be possible for the Town Meeting in May but could go to a Special Town Meeting. Mr. Whalen said the framework for doing that is in the Comprehensive Plan. This will appear on a future agenda.

Fire Chief Mike Ambriscoe attended this meeting to answer the questions raised by the Board of Selectmen at the February 6, 2007 Board of Selectmen meeting.

Mr. Ambrisco reviewed the research to date and the reasons for choosing the 137@28 location. There was further discussion concerning a sub-station in South Chatham.

The Article before the Board was to purchase the land on Route 28, which could serve as a location for the sub-station or any other municipal purpose.

Mr. Bergstrom moved the Board of Selectmen recommend approval of this Article to purchase land on Route 28 to the Annual Town Meeting. Ms. Connors seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted four in favor one opposed (Mr. Summers). Mr. Summers opposed this Article because he wants the question of whether there should be a Fire Station at this location resolved before the land is purchased.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen vote to appoint Stuart Stearns to the Historical Commission until June 30, 2009 unless sooner revoked or until his successor is appointed. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mr. Bergstrom said the Chatham Police department should be commended for the way they handled a volatile situation over the weekend. He said the professionalism of the Department is attributable to the leadership and training of our officers.