By the way, if anybody's looking for >> recording in progress, >> I just finished Buckeye. Amazing. Has nothing to do with Ohio State football, but it was one of the best books I've read in a long time. >> Really? Yeah. >> Uh recognizing quorum, the chair opens the May 11th um meeting of the community
housing committee, Yarmouth Community Housing Committee. This meeting is being uh live broadcast and recorded. Um, >> roll call vote. >> Roll. Oh, that's right. We have to roll call vote. Uh, Pal
>> I. >> Myra >> present. >> Greg. >> Yep. John. Yes. >> Here. >> Okay. Um, first order of business is minutes.
>> Yes. So, we have a recording secretary. Her name is Jennifer Clifford. >> She's gonna watch the recorded meetings. >> Hi, Jennifer. >> Jennifer. >> Can you hear me? >> Yeah.
>> Okay, great. So, we have a recording secretary. Her name is Jennifer Clifford. She's gonna watch our recorded um meetings. I gave her the format that I usually use. I've worked with her before and I select and
>> you worked with her before and she's coming back to work with you again. Wow. Okay. >> No. All right. >> Okay. So, anyways, I think we're in good hands. So, >> yeah, she worked um she did the minutes
for the MASHP Planning Board years ago, >> and uh she's very good, very good, very timely. So, uh we're fortunate to uh get access to her. So, >> great. Okay. Um election of officers.
Drew wanted to have this um because he wants to step down as as >> uh vice chair. >> Vice chair. >> So are we voting for all the officers or >> So you have you have um a chair, a vice
chair, and a clerk. And the clerk is in charge of the minutes. Um the chair uh basically runs all the meetings, approves the agenda before >> um the meeting um kind of gives directions to staff in between meetings
and um also you know if there was an urgent need would be called upon by staff or the select board um in between meetings. Um so you know it's um it's
there is extra work you know But I think that with staff and your support, I think it's pretty reasonable. And then the vice chair basically fills in for the chair when the chair is not um available. And then again, the clerk is is
ultimately responsible for making sure there's minutes, right? Um some boards the clerk does the memos, uh reads in the notices, that kind of stuff, but we've never found that necessary because you have so much staff support. Yeah.
>> So, >> so you can table this or you can >> we have a discussion? >> Yeah, >> sure. >> So, as of right now, John is the the chair and I think he's doing a fabulous job.
>> I would like if John was interested, I would like to see him continue as the chair. >> I would >> um the vice chair obviously steps in if if John is not available. And the clerk, are you technically the clerk, Mary? No, we don't have You don't have one.
>> Okay. We don't have one. Are we required to have one? >> No. >> Okay. >> Well, it doesn't sound like we need one. >> I don't think you need one. >> I mean, especially with Jennifer doing the minutes now. >> Yeah. And you don't really have any notices to to read in. And here's Drew. Drew is coming. Oh, good.
>> I think um now that Drew is here, I think this is something that I would suggest tableabling only because I think Lee would probably have a a lot to say. >> She's been on a part of the board for a long time, I'm assuming. >> Hello, Drew.
>> Hi. >> We were just talking about you. >> It was all good. >> Well, I see you didn't have a quorum, right? >> Yeah, we do. >> No, we do. two members. But we were we were talking about election of officers. >> Sorry, myin pal.
>> We're talking about election of officers. >> We were just talking about the election of officers and the fact that you were wanted to step down as vice chair, >> right? How ironic. >> Was it something I said?
>> It's just stole my line. I was just going to say that. >> No, it's nothing you said. Yeah, I would I would like that. I'm going to do that. >> So, Greg was just saying what a great job John is doing as chair.
>> True as well. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Good. Thanks. >> I I was just thinking I know Lee, this is I'm just thinking out loud that maybe if we're going to elect new officers or have that that probably it should be a full board, right? I mean, Lee and Josh
>> um as well, but I don't know if they're going to be here at the next meeting either. So, uh >> Right. Right. I don't think uh Josh is in the position to take on more responsibilities right now. >> I don't mean as far as he him being an open officer, but just >> a vote, right? Um >> and then
>> that's just my thoughts. Um >> Lee, same thing. I don't think she's um >> Mary, are you acknowledging I'm here? >> Oh my goodness. >> We did earlier. >> So am I on now? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> All right. Well, that's a horse of a
different color. Okay. So, uh, >> then we do have everybody. Okay. >> Yeah. No, I don't I don't want to I'm already over overloaded. So, no, I don't I did not would would not want to be Where did I lose my picture here?
>> I suspected that. >> Yeah, thank you. >> Yeah, >> I have too many other involvements and I'm a little overwhelmed. My personal motto is to never volunteer, >> but it seems like no one else is
stepping forward. Uh >> well, I'll nominate you then. Then then then you haven't really volunteered. >> I maybe um I'm on the disability commission and I think I have to step up on that
commission to get more involved. >> Okay. So that's really behind my motivation. >> Okay. >> Just to put more pressure on you. >> It's not pressure. I mean I >> Yeah. >> Um I I Yeah, if if you folks will have me,
I suppose it's um I would consider it. >> So John, is that a is that a motion to nominate Greg as >> I'd make a motion to nominate Greg as the vice chair? >> I would second that. Uh, roll call vote. Palm >> I.
>> Myra >> I. >> Lee >> I. >> Greg >> I. >> Drew >> I. >> John I. Deardra. >> I. >> Okay. What have I got myself into? >> We want to confirm John as chair.
>> Sure. >> Yes. >> I nominate uh John to be uh re-nominated as chair. >> And I would second. >> Uh roll call vote. Pal. >> Hi, >> Myra. >> Hi, >> Lee. >> Hi, >> uh, Greg. >> Hi,
>> Drew. >> Hi. >> And dear, >> hi. >> Oh, abstain. >> Um, >> so old on to old business. Uh, Mataki's utilization project uh, update. >> So, that item is on the select board
agenda tomorrow night. So that stands at what the five options. Oh, it's narrowed down to three, >> right? >> And um I can send you um
>> I just got an email from Josh. He's going to be a few minutes late. >> Oh, nice. >> Watch for him. Um, do uh do we know which three of the five or is that what the meeting is about
tomorrow night? >> So, it's the it's the A, the B, and one of the C's. >> Okay. >> And I can send you the link. Uh, they sent that out from the town manager's office earlier today. Um,
>> it's in the selectman's packet online. >> Yeah, it came it was issued just before noon. So, I can send that to you. It's kind of having trouble. What do you think, Myra? Do you think um Can you describe the three um
plan? I'm actually not looking at them right now, but I thought that they were all pretty logical and they didn't um uh skimp on the housing. Um and uh I just thought, boy, that that report is phenomenal. What an incredible job that
committee did and is still in still doing. Um it's really good report. So that's my my input. >> If I recall, all five of them Yeah. had a a very good amount of housing. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> So, are these um >> Well, we'll have to take a look at them, I guess. But >> is it what how is the >> just arrow down? Because this is A, then I'm assuming B is right after it. Yeah.
>> So, A is the one that um >> just moved to Okay. Well, we'll go back up. >> Yeah. Yeah. I'll have to go back up. is the one that that our housing pod >> really focused on. um which was the housing the multif
family housing about 60 units kind of near the police station with two with two cluster subdivisions of about six units each with those cluster subdivisions are single family detached homes and one would be Habitat and one
would be you know rental municipal employee rentals to municipal employees. So, and it looks like the athletic fields are are on the residential side >> kind of towards the chickies >> buffer of of having
>> maybe higher activity there. >> And then the next one is >> Yeah. >> Well, the next one is key is carved out the school site. >> Yeah. Remember they wanted to reserve uh space and one of the plans >> right here.
>> Yeah. For and we've seen this one. This is almost the same as the draft U B. >> And um the housing is up to the right. Um kind of uh there's housing along Chicy Lane and then in that corner of
the property there's the multif family housing >> and that kind of changed but I think that was so that they could have plenty of room for a school >> and plenty of parking for the sports center and fields. Should we go to
three? >> Yeah. >> Yep. And then the next one again it has housing. The the multif family housing is is >> uh where um the school is right now the what is it Emmy Small where that is now.
Um and there's a huge buffer between the street and anything on the site in Higgins Crawl. And there's fewer houses along But there are houses on. So, this is probably the lower the lowest uh number of housing
units, but still very nice. >> Still a lot of housing, >> you know, and this has more green space, >> you know. Well, it looks like it has more more fields too that become they've added the two sort of softball or
baseball fields. >> And that upper right corner by Chickity and the Waterland like that. That is a is a nice spot. Um that's nice and cool. I've always advocated for the sports fields to be up there because even in
the middle of the summer there's a nice breeze there. It's surrounded by forest. Um it's a very very pleasant spot to kind of >> So at this at this point is there any update at all on on um the school situation?
>> No. >> And that won't we probably won't know anything on that until later in the year. Correct. >> Yeah. >> I think that's going to take a whole year. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So >> but so we've got one that's preserving the school and the other two are assuming the school is gone.
>> Is is sports complex and housing? >> Yep. So, I think I think it's going to be >> I'm happy with any. >> Yeah, I don't I don't I don't have a problem with any of the three really. >> I remember at one point there was hardly any housing. So, that on on the plan. So, that that's great.
>> I It's probably a stupid question, but does sports fields count as green areas? >> No. >> No. Okay, >> that's a good question. Yeah. I'd never thought one way or the other. >> I asked if sports fields were considered uh green areas, but apparently they're
not. Yeah. >> No. May I ask a question? >> Oh. Oh, sorry. >> Is the select board uh going to vote on this tomorrow? >> I doubt it. I think they're going to um I think they have a very busy agenda, right?
>> And I think that um I think this this will close out the Madakis utilization committee unless the select board says we want to keep you going for the next phase. The next phase is that community uh planning grant from
Mass Works. I think it's Mass Works um from the state. We got $200,000 to do planning um and feasibility studies for the next phase and it's split into two. One is like the the soft cost engineering um
and design work on the site really to start to to uh see what the capacity is for for the these uses on this site by engineers, right? And then the other piece is going to be about feasibility
and financial feasibility and you know considering the timing of the schooling and all that kind of stuff. How does the town kind of tap into resources to get this done? And um part of that is going to be a market analysis.
>> It might include housing, but it's you know sometimes they don't spend money on market housing uh the study on the housing market right now because it's been so studied. It's everybody agrees, right? We need more housing. But the
sports complex is kind of a novel idea for this area, right? >> It's a novel idea, but there hasn't been um a lot of a recent market study on that. So, they might spend some money on that, too, to see really if they built
something like this, would people come? >> Yeah. >> I mean, we've sort of got all our eggs in one basket at this point with >> a sports complex and and housing. So, uh, I personally I think that I think the committee's done a great job and I
and I think this has come a long way in a little over a year from >> when we started. >> It's an incredible amount of work. >> Yeah. >> You know, um, the town planner Kathy Williams plus BSC plus that um, Madaki's
utilization committee, they really they kept it moving along and they produced I'm I like the final report. So just from my own understanding, so this is basically what the what what the town has come together, all the committees and say this is what we prefer. Now
we're going to find out if it's possible. >> Now now we're starting to spend money on feasibility studies. >> Okay. But we find out if this is possible. Timeline is that a year out? >> I think it's more because the school study is not going to be available till
the end of 2026. remember it started in January 2026 and they said they would need a year. >> Yes, I do specifically remember them. That's right. That being said, yeah, >> because they'll have like they'll they'll do like need and marketing and D
and then they'll start to have community meetings, a survey. >> That's true. Right. >> Right. And uh I mean we got to take the time to do that, right? >> Yeah. No, of I'm I'm just trying to I'm trying to picture long range where we're you know
>> I think one of the things is that >> this model of um uh sports complex they exist in other places. I'm not sure they exist in a place like Cape Cod where it's somewhat remote from metropolitan areas.
>> Yeah. And so I think that'll that'll play into a lot of what you know looking at the at the marketing and the in the and just whether this is >> you have to market it as a destination. >> Yeah, >> it's completely feasible. I think you
know what I mean. >> Well, doesn't isn't there a hockey tournament where they come >> Oh, there the lobster. Yeah, >> that that hockey tournament uses every rink on Cape Cod. Okay. >> I mean, from Ptown all the way to >> Felmouth.
>> And um >> that's in the winter. >> That's in the winter. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Well, you don't have the summer traffic to deal with in the winter. >> Well, that's true. >> I'm I'm emailing I'm forwarding this uh link to the selectman's packet. Okay.
>> Packet to you right now. And um I did talk to Sharon Wymer, the chair of Madaki's utilization committee and she you know encouraged everybody to attend or watch you know um so
I think the summer uh it it's going to be interesting to see how this plays out because you know the summer there's there's not a lot of hotel room and motel rooms to be had in the summer and whether this thing is
going to more or less sit idle from >> that's a good point too >> you know the middle of uh June until um the end of August um but it'll be interesting >> you know that is a that is an
interesting point right yeah >> yeah like when you said sit idle that that really got my attention like that's Well, I mean, that's that's the difference between the location on Cape Cod and and one near a metropolitan area or some, you know, some some town
between Providence and Boston that can attract, >> right, >> a large year round and and there are a lot of summer camps and and things like that for baseball and basketball that kids go to um at those sports facilities. So, it'll be it'll be
interesting. >> Yeah. And they they might that's what they might do in the summer months is rent that facility out to local camps. Probably the town would like to use part of that during the summer for their summer camps. Yeah.
>> So what we're doing is imagining what goes into a feasibility study. We're gonna have to have pass those comments on a lot of these tournaments happen in the spring and the fall because I'm thinking when I played sports as a kid, lacrosse and baseball, spring,
>> soccer was was was in the fall. So, I think you know in the in the summer usually these kids are off doing other things. I don't know. I'm just I'm trying to think out loud. I just saw something in the Globe yesterday in the sports page that >> they're the Super Bowl is not going to certain cities anymore because of hotels.
>> Interesting. >> Yeah. Uh so a lot of the cities they used to go to a lot, they're like, "Yeah, we're going to Vegas now." Because there's a stadium there and there's hotels, you know what I mean? As opposed to um some of the other places they were going to where the hotel situation wasn't as good. So
>> that is a very good point. I didn't think about that. You're right. Uh the hotels would be filled in the in the in the summer, >> but it might be something that the the Cape Cod Baseball League ties into it somehow with, you know, summer camps for Yeah. >> for kids for baseball, that kind of
thing. But it'll be interesting to see what comes out of that. >> Well, the summer leagues have um their players get hosted by families, >> right? >> Right. Yeah, that's a key thing for how that operates.
>> Uh any other comments? Okay, Wood Road Habitat for Humanity neighborhood update. >> So, um, Habitat for Humanity is is starting to prepare that application for the zoning board of appeals and there it
might be possible that they will be on the ZBA's agenda for June 25th. So, if you could save that date and hopefully some of you can uh join me as I come as a member of the audience
available to answer questions of the of the board and you know if need be uh get up and comment on it. So, that's exciting. >> Okay. uh new business housing production
plan priority actions. >> So um in your packet was is the only exhibit. It was the the chart of our uh strategic our strategies and we're kind of at a point where we can start uh
you know kind of prioritizing what we want to do next. We've been very busy with Madakis, believe it or not. Right. We were very busy with >> Oh, yeah. >> some of the redevelopment projects on Route 28. There was a chapter 40B that didn't go forward. There's a chapter 40B
that is going forward. Um the affordable housing trust, you'll hear later, is about to issue some RFPs. Um that might bring about some new development on Route 28, which you would then look at, but that would be months
from now. Um there there were some comments at town meeting that kind of um inspired some people to say, "Oh, maybe we need to do a little bit of education and outreach about our affordable housing programs." But um I
wanted you I don't know if you had time to look at it, but you know, I think you guys should come forward with like what's your next big priority off of this list? Um obviously we can't do everything all at once. A quick question um regarding what
you just said about town meeting. >> Um what what kind of comments were made? I was there early and had to leave. I'm not >> started kicking in right on that day. I'm like I got to get >> I could be allowed to respond because I'm the one that presents the uh
affordable housing projects, the two projects that provide. Am I being heard? Can I continue, Mary? >> Yes. >> John says yes. >> Okay. Thank you, John. >> Um I guess I should ask John. He asked me if she could speak, but it's really
>> um I I've been presenting these for a number of years now. I've never been it's never been challenged before, but somebody got up and challenged why we were funding um Howard Chicken Medical Council um the um was it the Howard
Chicken Medical Council and the um hands of hope and why we're funding these projects. when there are lots of other projects that help people and why we're doing that and was that part of what we could do with the uh with these funds and the answer by the board was yes and
then somebody else somebody in the affordable housing trust got up and questioned how do we know that these funds are going to Howard residents the residents rather sorry >> and um I forget >> ecumenical council for housing >> yeah I know but the funding goes to
serve serve Yamoth residents. Both of those, >> right? >> It doesn't just serve, you know, they serve other people, but the funding that we provide is is is um allocated for Yamoth residents. So, somebody got up from the town hall,
the treasurer, somebody and reported that they send in invoices and all those invoices document that the money is going to a Howard Yamoth residents. So those answers were questioned and I thought I was supposed to respond and
Judy the chair of our committee said no you sit down. Uh they addressed the questions to the board and there you know some people are kind of not happy campers right now. she might have used a different phrase, but um and so the
answers were addressed and if I met the satisfaction of that particular person, I have no idea. But it was the first time I ever saw any of those projects questioned after what four or five years of presenting these the warrants,
>> right? So, we were thinking we were thinking of maybe um you know, doing a fact sheet on them, you know, and posting that on our website, a little summary of the projects, making it very clear that yes,
these are these are for um Yarmouth residents, Yarmouth homeowners, um and Yarmouth tenants. >> Yeah. And I stress that that's part of my presentation that they're for Yarmouth residents. And um some of it might be to help people get into housing
and others to prevent homelessness and keep them in into housing either by providing prevention funds or by helping them keep their their housing up up to up to to to par, you know, doing repairs. And what I could have
emphasized, but I believe it was also in there, the Howitch funding is a loan. when that property gets sold or whatever happens to that property, those funds are repaid. So, it's not funds that are given away entirely, it's considered a loan. And
for the um the ecumenical council, the um not the ecumenical council, Hands of Hope, which is part of Council of Churches, which Warmer doesn't emphasize that, but it is. Um, we talked them into increasing their amount because they
were asking for about half of that amount and we thought, you know, the cost of helping people is more expensive now. So, we talked them into increasing the amount that they were asking for. And then people in the committee wanted to question if that meant they can serve
more people. So, um, there's a little bit of a I was quite surprised by that approach. Meanwhile, we're talking about all these other big funding projects and these are at Pittton in comparison, especially the um the um hands of hope
like $90,000 or something like that. How would your medical a little more? Okay, that's that's my that's my piece of mind. But I think trying to educate the public and how these funds are used is not a bad idea.
I was concerned that it was just the the the cohort of people that insist that housing, affordable housing is not needed. You know what I mean? >> Well, there aren't any homeless people out there. There, you know, there's no it's there's no need for this, you know. So, >> no, that didn't really get questioned.
It was questioned on using funding that they think other other agencies provide. >> I I think that cohort's getting smaller and smaller anyway of people that want to deny the fact know that that that it's needed. Well, we heard challenges to us wanting to have housing at the uh
in the muck place. So, there were challenges to that community challenges. >> You know, that's interesting, Lee, because that's going to come up again. It >> is. Yeah. >> So, maybe we should uh and Myra has always um offered uh to help with
education and outreach. So, maybe this is this next six months would be a good time. Sounds like a plan. Sounds like a good plan >> to do that. >> Am I being volunteered? >> Well, you always say yes to me when I ask you for help.
>> Yes, Mary. >> Yeah. All right. So, that would be B1. Um, continue community outreach and education. Um um we all I have had on the list to do B3 update the affordable housing standards. We have it. I just have to
submit it to the select board. So we can do that. And then um C1 is revitalize commercial areas with housing. So that's what the trust is going to be working on. >> That's that's the route 28 blighted areas.
>> Yeah. So they're so the trust at their last meeting they um voted uh they confirmed a vote of $25,000 um for the planning department to do um some analys more analysis on Route 28
with respect to mixed use development. Um, and everybody is is still struggling with, well, should the town prioritize those lots on Route 28 or we should just throw out the RFP and see what happens. So, at this point, we're throwing out an
RFP to see what happens. But this the minimum criteria is that it's a disturbed parcel that's underutilized. >> And how many do we have? >> So, we could we could fund four. So, I think in all of our unofficial
lists, we always came up with between seven and 12 spots on Route 28 would like to see. >> Um, but we never reached out to those >> owners or, you know, published anything. It was just, you know, you just >> How would an owner say no to that?
>> Because they have different plans for the, you know, >> but for 30 years they've been sitting on the >> they're not ready. Like one place, didn't one place like um >> life happens when you're busy making plans. >> Yeah. Like one place there was a fire, but they couldn't you can't touch that
for years while that all gets settled. Um you know, there's other properties we've approached. You know, even Habitat has been approaching people and they're just for some whatever reason they're not interested in selling. I just haven't
>> Well, it seems it seems like the properties that have been um renovated um two or three of them, the one right next to um um what am I thinking? Right across from
the water park. It seems like that those properties are doing fairly well, you know, after they spent a considerable amount of money. >> Yep. >> On those properties and and it seems like, you know, they're at least holding
their own and and making some money, which, you know, maybe other owners that are sitting down there would start to think about selling some of the derelch land that, >> right? And I think that those new owners
of the motel, they their thing is not redevelopment. Their thing is rehabilitation and revitalization of an existing motel. Like they're in they have experience in hospitality, not redevelopment. So, um yeah, I think they're committed
to staying in hospitality. Um, but there's other people that have bought motel properties and did not invest a lot of money in it >> and I think they're struggling with receipts. Well, >> that might be something that we could
but but we have but we've decided because of procurement just put the opportunity out there to everybody and see what happens. >> So, we'll see what happens. So thinking out loud and thinking about the bridge projects and eminent domain, is it
feasible that that Tom could say, "Hey, after 30 years of this just sitting here, we've decided we're we're taking it. We're giving you fair market value." >> Yeah, I was going to ask same thing. >> We're going to do something with it. You know, you've had 30 years. >> Does the town have a mechanism for
pressuring people to um >> so you can close properties? You know, you can condemn properties that that you you you can put it into a state that they can't get insurance. You know, there are >> there are things, but the u most
successful projects have been like the friendly, you know, taking >> and that's the way it should be. But at some point, you you get to the point where you're like, >> you know, Mr. and Mrs. Jones, it's been since 1995 and, you know, the place is falling apart. It's it's condemned. you know,
there's who knows what's going on in there. You know what I mean? It's it's a it's not just a blight, it's dangerous. Um I guess I I was just just a thought. Um but >> yeah, >> I think I made it clear since the time I've been here, I just I I hate those
blighted areas. I really do. >> Yeah. So do I. >> Yeah. Why does it have to be friendly if it's a extreme situation? So that can that can save the town a lot of money and headache. >> Well, usually right. Yeah.
>> You mean if it's done in a friendly manner? >> If it's done in a friendly manner. If if it's a if it's a and the town has eminent domain, but you usually there's a lawsuit and you're in the courts for a long time. >> Um, >> makes sense.
>> So, so one of the best stories for all of this is the Yankee Village, right? the uh the town bought that hotel on the condition that the property owner demolished the building before we took possession of it,
right? Like that was really that was a great thing for the town. So um so but if you took it by eminent domain you'd be responsible for the demolition >> and removing the >> well and you'd have to do a study for
asbestous and other things and it gets gets a lot more complicated if you have somebody that is resisting you all the way through the process. >> My guess is if they've been resisting for 30 years they're not in a hurry to unresist. Uh so is that a word unresist?
I just made it up. Okay. >> Stop resisting. think once it gets out there that the trust is, you know, had some success doing this already. They did two motel. They they they helped uh um a local developer by 645 Route 28.
That's kind of more of a staging area right now for the sewer construction because this the the flushes they're not the town's not going to be able to deal with any flushes to 2028, right? So, there's like this timing thing with new
construction right now. Um, but I think that once it gets out there that the, you know, that the town is is going to help people with something that they really need help with, right? um that that acquisition fund, you know, um that
hopefully hopefully if we if we were successful to do four additional projects on Route 28, that would be seven in total. I think that's pretty good. >> I think we would we would be happy with that. Um all with great architecture,
all with great site design, you know what I mean? A lot of input from staff. I think that um >> nothing right up to the sidewalk like they've done in Hyenas. >> Exactly. >> Well, they can't do that because they have to have room for eminent domain when they get to the >> Right.
>> Yeah. >> And and we want to, you know, block those mega 40bs. >> So, >> there was an article about that in the Globe yesterday. >> Really? I'd love to see it >> about the mega 40 about um people
unhappy about them going up. Um >> yeah, >> I think it was yesterday. >> Yeah. And so that property and we all know which one it is and you know if they had just um had the entrance way maybe the
entrance way right where it is but just kind of had the three stories start further back. Do you know what I mean? like you have an entrance way and then you have the second floor added on and then the third floor with some nice architecture and it softens
>> right now. It just it feels just there. I mean it's just >> it's more than one property, Mary. It's more than one building. >> It's looming over the the street. >> Yeah, that's a good word. Looming. It's >> mean there's nothing friendly about it. And I'm assuming that >> blocks the sun. Yeah, I'm assuming that
that that the that's commercial space on the first floor uh facing the street, but even that I mean if if if it'd been set back a little bit and people could have some table seating outside or something to soften >> what they're doing down there. But I
mean it it it's just that whole project is just awful. >> The artic I mentioned it wasn't yesterday. I forget where I saw it was last week someplace. It wasn't in yesterday's globe, but I saw some place where towns are are a little upset that
these mega things are going in popping up left and right. >> Right. >> And not in places that are would be ideal, I guess. >> So, I'm hoping our architectural standards Oh, that's what the that's part of the money is for to rewrite the
architectural standards and site design. >> Uhhuh. >> That's part of the $200,000 grant. That's the 25,000 from the trust >> is to really solidify that because right now everybody's been kind of very cooperative. There's been no challenges.
>> Um but we want to make those standards really strong and clear. Um so that there's no ambiguity. Um, and you know, so in out years, it's really obvious and easy for somebody who wants
to do redevelopment on Route 28 that they they know what we're looking for. >> What do you The building department is is the building department is back there. >> Historical. >> Yeah. Go down the hall. Yeah.
We're in town hall. So Lee, how does that sound? >> What >> going forward? >> What sound? >> How you know doing community outreach and education, updating the affordable housing standards and then uh let having
the trust go forward with the revitalization of commercial areas with housing? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> And I'll I'll put this in to the architectural standards. Is that something that should be added to this list?
>> Um, we could that this is the housing production plan that we already, >> you know, >> right? >> Um, I think that would fall under continue to revitalize commercial areas with housing with clear preference for mixed use development.
>> Um, I think it would fall under that. I mean, even the the property that's right on Parker's River, >> right? >> Yes. >> That seems a little big, you know what I mean? But the but everybody says, but the architecture looks really good. >> So, you know what I mean? Like,
>> well, those are I mean, those units are they were approaching 2,800 square feet or something, right? I mean, >> but I think when you come on Route 28 and you see them, >> I think people people might say, "Oh,
it's a little bit." But I think they're going to say, "But they look nice." So, >> they kind of blend in, you know what I mean? It's not They don't jump out at you >> like a monstrosity would or like the blighted areas do. You almost just
>> driving along and they like they fit. Well, there are two stories of condos directly behind them. >> Yes, there is a building that's very close to >> a little bit. You're not isolating the >> the facade of that building. >> Yeah. Well, that's >> the new building. >> One of the developments we discussed at
the planning board recently and it is really big for the site and the biggest problem that we saw in it is that there is literally no parking except for inside the garages. And uh we encouraged
them to change it to to reconfigure. The basements are flood proof basement. So it's just garage. It's not basement, it's street level garage and >> but they're in the flood plane. >> But they're in the flood plane. So there there's a sun room, but basically it
allows flooding underneath the main units. But we suggested that they reconfigure that level to allow four cars per unit because >> somebody's going to visit you. I mean, there's no place >> Well, there's no place to park. >> Park, no place at all. And so, it seems
like they're kind of tightly squeezed into that space. And um that was scheduled to come before the Conservation Commission this week, but they continued it to later. And the discussion there was how terribly messy
the site is now and they're concerned about what might be have leaked through from the in the ground. >> So there's a lot going to go on on that particular thing. But it does look beautiful. >> Wow.
>> Thanks for the update. That's interesting. >> All right. >> Okay. um report any any other comments at this point? >> Does that do you uh down by the close to
the bridge in South Yarmouth where they tore down a a gas station, a new gas station is going up and another building is going up? >> Yep. That's Jart. >> Jart. Yeah, >> Jart. Yeah. >> Jart. >> And I think there's some housing in there. There is housing in there, too. Well, he had little cottage beh when the
original gas station had I think four cottages >> behind the gas station. >> I didn't even know that. >> Yeah. >> And and that that he was renting for a long time and and I I don't know the particulars of it, but I'm assuming there's four or five housing units in the building on the
right hand side when you're looking at the gas station. >> Yeah. I don't know if it's two or four. >> That's why I brought it up. I wondered if any >> Yeah, there's definitely residential and um Right. And uh there was a link between those cottages and the people
that worked there >> that I hadn't known. Yeah. >> Yeah. They were I think all of them were occupied by people that worked for Jay, >> right? >> The owner. >> So it's funny. You would see you would see the same people. >> Yeah. >> The pumps all the time. But I think that's because they >> they live there >> and sometimes I would pull up and the
guy would come out of the little cage. >> So >> Okay. I'm glad. I mean, that's how people used to their job would used to come with a little place to live. So, >> thank you. >> Yeah. And that that ex that >> looks I thought it wasn't going to look
good. I think it looks great >> so far. Yeah. Looks okay to me. >> You know, >> location, but >> I heard a lot of like rumbling. I was like, "Oh, no." And I think people like it that it's being built, you know, >> so good for them.
Uh, reports and actions. Chair's report. I don't have anything. Home consortium. >> Uh, home consortium. So, my handwritten notes. Good luck trying to figure out what I wrote down. Uh, all right. Let's see. Um, the, uh, committee is full.
There was new, uh, board members sworn in, so it's a got a full slate. Um, there uh, they received a grant of, uh, $444,000. 300 I'm sorry 4443,354.76 up approximately 35,000
um from the year before. Um what do we else we got here? Um the home op grant uh $575,000 in grant money uh is available, but they have no projects in the queue right now
and that needs to be used by the end of the year um or they risk uh losing it. Um there was a long discussion, Mary, I think that you would agree with this on the need for one-bedroom apartments uh
um as opposed to the larger apartments. Um the uh that was it for the meeting. Uh they sent an email out uh last week. I'm sure Mary that you have this about the HUD fiscal year 26 fair market rates.
>> Okay. So I don't have them with me. I apologize, but um I think that you do. Yeah. the incomes went up about 4%, the median, the income limits all went up about 4%. And um the fair market rate
rates for rent came out and so they're they're they feel unaffordable. So it's based on the median income. Mhm. >> Um but it compared to I don't know who's making what in this town, but compared
to you know our workers, those rates seem a little high. Um the good thing about them is that that's what sets the voucher amount. So that means local vouchers will cover more of the rent. That's good. Um, the
bad thing is that like people like us can't say anymore, well, you know, you can't go above the section 8 rent because they're so high. They're starting to they're starting to not be a good limit for us.
>> We're going to have, like we talked about before, we're going to have to go to the limits that the town of Anstable use. And I I think that um wages seem to be stagnating and >> for the for our workers, for our service workers >> is going up. I mean, everything is going up.
>> I know. >> Um any that is it for um last month's um meeting and I heard this morning uh via email that May's meeting uh next week has been cancelled. >> Okay.
>> Uh Yarmouth Housing Authority We're uh hoping to meet on May 26 this month >> in order to uh >> you know that right? >> May 26th is when we're hoping to meet and we hope to get a
have a a draft of a possible revised RFP for our uh ongoing forest road project at that time. what we do with that draft. We'll see when we get it. Yeah,
>> that's my update on that. >> Okay. Affordable housing trust. >> Yep. So, the trust um met in April. They finalized the RFP for mixeduse redevelopment on Route 28. Um
and so they're going to issue it. They also awarded funds to um housing assistance corporation and HECH for rental assistance. Um and the
the program by housing assistance corporation is basal program thrive. It's a soft subsidy on rent for local workers in uh industries such as child care,
hospital worker, uh first responder. So they've prioritized certain industries as as critical for Cape Cod. Um, and they work with people over three years to give them a little bit of a subsidy for their
rent and try to get them interested in home ownership, first-time home buyer programs, you know, get them into affordable housing, right? Like some people are in a market rate unit, they can't afford, but the wait lists are so long for these affordable units
that um they need some time to be on that wait list or wait for a lottery. So, um that was interesting. And um yeah, so the trust um the trust is scheduled to
meet on May 19th, but it might get cancelled because we don't have any votes or actions that we need to do. So, sometimes I just write a memo uh of updates and uh give you guys uh a break. So,
we'll see. I still have not heard from anybody about uh the situation of of joining the board. So, >> and so um uh town meeting just happened and they just um accepted Myra's resignation. So, we're a little behind.
>> So, the wheels are turning. >> They're turning. >> Turning. >> Yeah. And uh it's it's so much, believe it or not, it's going well because back in the day uh with a with different people involved, they'd forget
I have a vacancy. Come on. And this they they they have got a system. They've got a system. So, but it does it sometimes takes a a little bit of time. >> Okay. Planning board. Um, we haven't had
many meetings, but there was a lot uh the the zoning amendment to help the setback issue on the road road work on Route 28 was passed at town meeting. And we did have
um a few reviews that 703 that >> uh we just talked about and also the 645 which really when it's postponed it's being used as a staging area but it looks like it's going to be really nice
with mixed use and commercial. I think it was two commercial units. >> Two commercial units in the front >> and um >> one looks like it could be like a eery or something like that. I think it looked like maybe a little cafe or something. >> And then uh I think it's 11 uh unit 11
houses. >> 11 apartments. >> Yeah. >> 10 onebedroom, one twobedroom. >> And we opted four affordable units. All one bedroomedroom, >> right? Because the the two-bedroom if we
if we made it affordable would have kids on in it. That the development doesn't have a playground. So we were like ah. also. But um yeah, I'm excited and I'm excited to see what the other commercial >> Yeah. >> uh unit would be. >> Yeah.
>> Will it be a little professional office or >> I think that it was presented as tentatively one small restaurant and one retail, but >> Okay. >> And and there it's it's nice. It's close to the close to the road but uh
sufficiently far back so it doesn't look like the one in Hyannis. And um and it's not that tall anyway. And >> it has like a little patio or something before the building starts, which is exactly what Hyannas needed. >> Yes.
>> And uh we didn't have much to discuss. The last meeting we canled so I think we're having a meeting next week and then maybe I'll have some news. But >> thank you. >> Okay. >> Community preservation committee. Um, well, I just noted that we presented
all the four warrants at the town meeting, which we were there till 11:00, the 6 to 11. So, that was great fun, I say sarcastically. Um, and I believe the new round of
applications are out. I can't remember exactly when they're due. Um, but once they're due, we get called in. We start meeting regularly. we interview applicants and go over the applications and we usually um bring the applicants in
when we ask questions. Um so that's a very detailed lengthy process. Um so I'm sorry I can't remember exactly when the applications are due >> but I think we were told we'd start meeting again in September, right Lee?
>> Yeah, I believe it's September. So, we have a little bit of a reprieve, but as soon as the soon as the applications come in, uh, Don Marie sends everything out to us so we can pick up packets. I'm not about to print out those lengthy applications.
So, that's where we are with that. So, we have a little bit of a break. >> Okay. Uh, Department of Community Development. >> Yep. Just uh most of you know that all the uh funding requests for community
preservation money for affordable housing, they all passed. So that's really great. Thank you, Lee, for helping out with that and being a little >> Oh, well, I thought that was a given. Sorry I didn't say that. >> All of them did with two of them being challenged, but the and they were all
100% supported by the board and the finance committee. Yeah, >> all members poured the four all four of those warrants. >> They all passed and as Deodor said the zoning >> Yeah. >> passed and it's an excellent explanation
about why that was necessary if you um don't you know mass dot is going to do some work on 28. So people are going to lose a little bit of land at the front of their property >> widing things right >> and so our zoning allows for that now
>> you know. Yeah, >> that was the last item on the agenda at 11 o'clock. It was a very long night and >> I was there to vote on >> was still there at 11 o'clock. >> Drew one of >> one
>> and uh if you Yeah, if you can catch that explanation from Kathy. I don't even want to even try to summarize it because it was perfect. >> It was it was really good. >> Really explains it. Like I always kind of knew what she was talking about, but when she goes through it at town meeting was excellent. >> Yeah. Yeah.
And then Myra and I have a little project. Uh we uh we I I forget who maybe it was Joyce Flynn who gave me the notice that the US Senate had passed a
housing act. I don't Yeah. So anyways, um and I think I handed that out to you last time and Myra and I um are uh gonna approach Senator Warren's office >> because she did the press release on it.
Um her office worked hard to get that passed and we're going to approach their office to kind of see how the town of Yarmouth can tap into these new resources. Myra, do you want to add anything? Um, not yet. The email was sent today
and um, just waiting for them to get back to us whenever. >> Yeah. >> So, so it when you read the summary about the housing act, it looks like there's going to be some money for this stuff. And one of them is like a
homeownership rehab. It's it's like a a pilot program. I'm like, Yarmouth is it? We've we you know we can help them with a nice pilot program in Yarmouth
>> could be a competition situation where the town would compete for the money with other towns. >> Well, that's what we want to see, you know, and uh >> the pilot program, >> you know, we're really leading the way on that. We've been doing that with some federal money, with some town money. We
know the ins and outs. we uh we could really help, you know, set the stage for, you know, the parameters of a of future projects run by other towns because our housing stock is getting there. You know what I mean? Like
>> you can see that if there's if there's money where homeowners are tight on funds, um that would be it would be good to get um a rehab project going. Like once in a while you'll see in the middle of
nowhere house with new roof, windows, doors, siding and it's like I know that's a re one of our rehabs, but it was like nothing else was going to help that household. >> Is that like a loan to the owner? >> It is. That's what uh Right. So um that's the program that was uh funded at
town meeting. So it's a it used to be a grant years ago, 20 years ago. We used to be grants and then you know those sources kind of dried up so we made them a loan and at first they were 15-year loans and now they're forever loans. It's whenever you sell you have to
>> give back. That's what loans are. Acumenical council loans are when you'll sell the property if you die and the property goes wherever it comes out of >> there's a lean on the property. >> It's a lean on the property. It's a 0% silent mortgage. >> So there's no
>> no monthly payment. No, no interest. >> It's a great deal for someone >> to tell you the honest truth. It becomes so complicated to because we're not a bank, right? So, it's easier for us just to do zero interest, silent, and we get the money back and then we put it to
someplace else. Most of the people, they have equity in their home, right? >> Yeah. >> But they don't want to pull out um a loan a a line of equity to do the repairs, right? >> So, they just the wood rot just And the
longer you wait on that leaky roof, the more so we just try to jump in there as soon as possible, make those repairs, um, preserve the value of the house and then when they sell it, they have to give it back to us. Um, or if they go to
a reverse mortgage or take out a lot of I've got one house, I always think he wants to go on a cruise. I keep going, no, you can't take that money out. You have to pay us back first. So, we do review the subordination requests. >> Um, >> how about that boat in Spain? He might
change his mind on a cruise. >> Yeah. >> So, does that money over time acrew interest at all? Does the loan? So, it's just it's a flat payment. You're you're borrowing $30,000 and it's $30,000 forever. >> Correct.
>> So, >> it see we do get money back. We do get money back. Um, we've been doing these longer with the federal money from HUD, the community development block grant money, and those we get at least one a year.
>> We've been using the other other money for a shorter period of time, so they haven't started to sell and stuff like that, but they will. And then you'll see that you'll be getting receipts almost every year. >> So, any idea how many homeowners are
involved in the program? So, um, for I don't I don't have my paperwork for CDBG. I think it's it's it's over 40 units for CDBG. And most of those were those septic repairs. >> Um, and then we rolled that septic
program uh over into the other program that HCH does. and HCH has done um over uh I want to say over 45 um housing assistance corporation did 11
for they did two or three rounds of funding and they completed 11 and then HCH just stepped up housing assistance was done said we'll do it and they've done over 45 and they have a um they have people
on a wait Um, and if you know if there's any emer the the nice thing about hatches, if there's any emergency repairs like um a heating system that's out in the middle of the winter, they can move right away.
And um >> so if that happens to a homeowner, how what does the homeowner like a like a heating system emergency in the winter? What do they have to do to show Hutch that Hatch that they qualify? >> So they have an application that they have
>> that can all be done like kind of like that, you know, >> Hatch does it right away, right? So they have to show >> they have to show the need. They have to show that they're income eligible. You have to make less than 80% of the area median income. You have to show that
you've clear title to the property um so that you can sign the mortgage and that we'll get the money back. Um and um HCH sends out an inspector. They have an inspector um who then becomes the clerk of the works, you
know. Um the inspector goes out says, "Yep, the heat it's not working, right?" And then they uh Hetch now has a book of contractors and subcontractors. So they'll call, they have to get three
quotes, right? And they they I look at all the procurement. We award the lowest qualified bidder. >> Um >> the town meeting the person there's a citizen saying, "Well, how do we know this money is being used for anything?" >> I know. I have to call >> here's the answer.
>> I have to call the citizen and go through, you know, and show them the application and the whole process. >> You know, >> yeah, they look >> like this is good education. >> Hatch does a mini underwriting. They make sure they own the property, have paid their taxes, paid their water bill.
Um, so you know, and then there there there was one case where um the household already had a reverse mortgage, >> right? >> So you can't that you'll never get that money back, but
>> it's not you know what I mean? Like >> winter heat. >> Yeah. Do you do you want that person to live in substandard housing? So I we still made that we still made that mortgage even though we knew we'd never get it back. I mean, it keeps the neighbors happy. You don't have a a
derelch house on the block that's being ignored. >> We have a derm derelchct house in our block. >> That that that that really goes to the point of actually we're all in this together. >> Yeah. >> Whereas we we keep forgetting that and we go, well, this is that person and
that person, that person, but we're all in the same neighborhood here, folks. You know, >> because it does it it really, you know, I see the houses. I see the photos. I see the before and the after and I whenever I see that and the contractors
I think love these jobs, you know, and they love doing they know that we're helping the homeowner and they I think they take a lot of pride making the houses look nice >> and um yeah, they look I'm like gee, if I was the neighbor of that house, I'd be
happy, you know, it it looks nice again. So, >> well, if it's if it's a heating situation, the owner obviously comes to the town, >> but does the town like see a house and go? >> No, we've never >> So, the owner has to come to the town, right? Okay. >> Yeah. >> Well, the community preservation funds
that help these other two organizations including heck, the community preservation funds do not provide the funds up front. They get reimbursed. So that's where the whoever it was one of the town treasurers or somebody who
came to the floor and spoke up and said she gets documents of all of the funds where all the funding spends because it goes because they have to send it in to get reimbursed >> right >> for the funding for these projects. So, I look at the project before we
authorize. I signed the the authorization to proceed, >> before any money is spent. >> And then I look at the work. It's been inspected by the clerk of the works. Um, and then I look at the photographs of
the completed work and I compare it to the initial work uh scope of work. So, when they say we're going to do five windows, I count five windows, right? Well, five windows were done. And uh and you know, there's change orders.
Sometimes they'll take the roof off and they find that it's it's been leaking by the chimney. >> So, there's change orders to make sure that all the wood rot is gone. And some sometimes the work is under 10,000, the cap is
50,000. you know, >> cap is >> 50,000 50,000 per home and sometimes we go a little bit above that because >> the change order found the wood rot, you know, and you can't close it up. So, it's um I really feel confident that the
project is doing well because like the pricing is, you know what I mean? It it's it ranges from like 10,000 to 50,000. So, I know they're not out there maxing it out to 50,000 every house. >> This is for for a new roof, new side and
gutters. It's not I'm adding an addition to the house. Oh, no. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> No. >> Is is this program well known in the community? >> It's fairly well known. >> This is another outreach um opportunity. >> Yeah. I the the um HCH does marketing
every time it gets it gets money. Um but um you know it's a balancing act, right? Um we don't have enough. We have enough to do like five to 10 houses a year. So you know we have we have to make sure
it's advertised. U but we don't door knock and say would you like to apply? >> These are the comments that really bring the reality part of the reality into me. You only have enough to do five five or so. Yeah. >> projects per year,
>> right? >> So, >> so who decides which projects get >> the applications are processed on a first come first- serve basis except if there's an emergency, >> right? So, if there's, you know, like
the electrical service, >> you know, that gets prioritized and if that household then needs the roof and the sidings and yeah, they get back in line for those things. >> Okay. question be so you go and you see oh the electrical's gone
>> and then you find out oh wait a minute it's not just that it's this and that >> typically what happens right somebody will call because they think there's something wrong >> right >> and the clerk of the works will go out there the the inspe the housing inspector will go out there and say well this this and this needs to be done but
it's it's just to preserve the envelope of the house and its mechanicals so so unfortunately there was one house that had substandard uh flooring in the porch leading into the house and they couldn't
do anything about that because it it hadn't structurally failed. It was just a really really old awful looking flooring and they will you know they couldn't do anything to we can't do anything like um >> um accessibility
painting on the inside. We do painting on the outside but not the inside, you know. Um, so >> yeah. >> Okay. Um, >> that's all I have
>> going forward. Uh, we have meetings uh scheduled for June 8th, July 13th, August 10th, September 14th, which I don't even want to think about because then summer's gone. Um, do we have any other um anything not
on the agenda that anyone wants to talk about? >> I just want to um let Mary know that I sent her an email about number 34, the derelct housing my on my uh road here. >> Okay, good. >> Take a look at that.
>> Yeah, I'm working with Barrett planning on that. >> Okay. And then there's number 19 with the woman died and >> Yeah. Um and then the other house is already that they had to put on the har which eu I forget maybe hacked it is
occupied now. Um the the house across from number 19. I don't remember the number a young woman moved in there with this with a young child. >> Yes. Yeah. >> So that's pretty cool. >> 19 is further along than 34. So >> 34 is a derelct.
I can just briefly say and they said it's an email. Somebody was over there cleaned up the property. So I went over and they said, "Are you the owner?" And he said, "No, the person lives behind that house who has basically taken over all that property." Um,
and is not the owner um is paying that guy to clean up the the the front of the property. It's all branches down. It's a mess. Um, and he's taken over parking vehicles there and parking vehicles in the guy's driveway. And that's the guy
who was on the Cape last year for a while and never visited his property. Every now and then I see a light on in that house and I don't know what that's all about cuz nobody's living there. And God knows what the inside of the house is like cuz the side door is not locked.
I think the storm door might be closed but the the actual door is not even closed. So the house is a mess. That's number 34 that's been abandoned for I think over 30 years now. >> And then there's the other house up the
road 19 where the woman died and that went to into um foreclosure and I believe the town's going to be able to claim that. But number 34 they keep paying the taxes but they've abandoned the property.
So Mary J Mary Jane um Mary you know all of this >> right? So, yeah. So, Barrett Barrett Planning, um I um they're helping me and um I have to I have to uh pair them with somebody in town council's office
because I think they're both legal actions. So, um with that, I'm not going to share any more details. >> Okay. Well, I wanted to I just wanted to find out if it was the owner cleaning up the property. Well, let me ask.
My son said, "You're being nosy." And they said, "No, I'm I'm part of the community housing committee and I want to know what's going on with the property." >> I wonder we can talk later because I wonder that's a lead we can use to, >> you know. Okay, we'll read my email. I already said everything. >> Awesome.
>> I'm ready to adjourn. They have to go back to creating papers. >> Okay. Do we >> Professor Wh >> the professor? >> Do we have a motion to adjurnn? >> I move we adjourn. Second. >> Uh, roll call vote. Palm
>> I. >> Myra >> I. >> Lee. >> I. >> Greg. >> I. >> Drew. >> Hi. >> John. I. Deardra. >> Hi. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> I'm taking this share home. >> Recording stopped.
>> Very nice. >> Brand new. We have brand new