Top of the agenda was the community housing bylaw, a document that has undergone revisions after feedback from the Town Council. The Planning Board had held a public hearing with minimal attendance, leading to a vote to approve the bylaw with minor wording changes. The committee grappled with concerns over the bylaw’s level of prescription and its potential impact on the town’s subsidized housing inventory and regulatory implications. In the quest to foster community housing, the bylaw’s complexities were a focal point, with debates over its potential effects and the necessity of further public hearings and reports to the select board.

The Center School building project was another significant topic, with members of the committee unanimously rejecting two proposals that sought to convert the building into private housing. The committee favored a more public use for the property, inspired by projects like the Blue Heron in Sunderland, which transformed a public building into a restaurant with community access. The committee received a presentation from Jenny Morrison, who was then given six more months to develop the project with a direction towards community use.

Despite the enthusiasm for public use, the feasibility of affordable housing within the Center School was questioned. Doubts were cast over funding availability and the town’s capacity to manage such housing initiatives. There was talk of exploring federal and state funding opportunities, but the complexities of legal issues and the town’s role as a landlord were daunting for the committee. Members suggested alternatives for the Center School, such as hosting a coffee shop, restaurant, or professional offices, rather than housing.

The committee’s discussion also touched upon public perception issues, particularly the distinction between affordable and low-income housing. They debated the terminology in the bylaw to avoid public confusion. The committee expressed a willingness to revisit the Center School project after six months, allowing more time to consider the best use for the building.

In addressing the public’s awareness and involvement, the committee acknowledged the need to improve outreach and information dissemination, citing inadequate visibility of the meeting announcements and the low turnout at the visioning sessions for the master plan. To rectify this, the committee discussed the importance of advertising and engaging the community more effectively, particularly in the lead-up to the upcoming town meeting. The committee also recognized the necessity of a primer on affordable housing to educate residents at the town meeting.

The committee considered the use of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds to address immediate concerns, like repairing the roof of a building to prevent further damage. However, apprehensions about the timing of CPA funding and the urgency of repairs were evident. Additionally, the River Road duplex project was discussed as a potential candidate for applying the community housing bylaw to create affordable housing units.

The meeting concluded with plans to strategize for the town meeting and an update on a planning study related to public safety. A member was tasked with sharing detailed information about the community housing bylaw at an upcoming meeting. After a motion to dismiss, there was a call for continued discussion on these issues.