The meeting opened with the introduction of new town planner Stephanie Krampton, who brings 13 years of municipal experience to Lakeville. Her expertise in site plan review and grant writing is expected to bolster the town’s planning initiatives. Following her introduction, the board shifted its focus to discussions on affordable housing goals in collaboration with the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). A significant portion of the discourse revolved around the formation of an affordable housing trust, a long-standing proposal that has yet to be fully enacted despite being in place since 2005. The select board has shown reluctance in appointing members to this trust, leading to a proposed meeting with Shelley Goring to explore potential collaborations between the CPA and the affordable housing trust.

The importance of forming the housing trust was emphasized, as it would include representation from the select board, planning board, and several at-large members. Concerns were raised about maintaining 100 affordable housing units that are set to expire in a decade, prompting discussions on strategic planning. There was also debate over the funding structure and oversight of the CPC funds, which require town meeting votes for dispersal. The board discussed the potential for a joint meeting with development teams to address affordable housing initiatives, specifically the Thornike development, which initially lacked affordable units but is now considering alternatives following community feedback.

Members explored the differentiation between the community preservation fund and the housing trust fund, noting the separate nature of these entities. The housing trust currently holds approximately $120,000, originating from units that did not sell at the affordable rate. The board discussed the need for transparency and improved tracking of these funds. A unified approach to managing housing funds was advocated, with the goal of ensuring recent developments align with Lakeville’s affordable housing objectives.

In parallel, the board engaged in a detailed review of an ADU proposal for a property on Pantheon Road. The application, presented by David J. Carrero and Jamie Beset from Zena Consulting Engineers, outlined plans for an 838 square-foot dwelling on a 70,000 square-foot lot. The proposal included adding a septic tank and utilizing an existing well, with discussions also covering the driveway design and potential tree removals. Board members scrutinized the calculations of the ADU’s square footage and confirmed compliance with regulations.

The board expressed general approval of the ADU application. The public hearing highlighted the procedural aspects of site plan reviews under the new regulations permitting ADUs in Lakeville.

Additionally, the board tackled fiscal concerns related to the Lakeville Country Club project, focusing on the project’s potential economic impact and the necessity of specific conditions in the development agreement, particularly regarding age restrictions. The need for clarity on water access and infrastructure was also discussed, highlighting ongoing negotiations with the select board.

The meeting concluded with administrative updates, including the release of funds from a 53G account tied to 19 Main Street, and progress reports on the stormwater management bylaw. The board emphasized the urgency of finalizing this bylaw before the March warrant, alongside the open space residential development bylaw, which faced delays due to revisions in a memorandum of agreement.