The most urgent topic centered around affordable housing, with a discussion led by the chairman of the Affordable Housing Trust, John Corack. Corack emphasized the need for more affordable housing units in Manchester-By-The-Sea, specifically discussing the development plan focused on Newport Park and the necessity of securing more land to make these projects feasible. The primary challenge discussed was the lack of available land, which has been a significant barrier to attracting developers. Corack mentioned that a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued in 2022 received no responses, leading to a shift in strategy towards a Request for Qualifications to refine the process. He highlighted the importance of reconsidering the Pleasant Street site despite past uncertainties, underscoring that without sufficient land, the town would struggle to attract developers.

Corack detailed the potential for reconfiguring an existing building at Newport Park to increase density, noting that recent state housing bond bills could provide funding for public housing rehabilitation. The Select Board members deliberated on the feasibility of land swaps and legislative approvals for conservation land, which could complicate the timeline.

Another discussion revolved around the potential acquisition of a property on Summer Street, which could yield six to eight units of affordable housing. Board members questioned why the town had not pursued this opportunity, considering its potential impact. The board agreed that this matter warranted further discussion in executive session, recognizing the importance of seizing such opportunities promptly.

The meeting also addressed the underutilized land adjacent to the memorial school, deliberating on whether subdividing this land for development would be practical. Concerns were raised about the operational aspects of managing affordable housing, with board members emphasizing the need for partnerships with developers or nonprofit organizations due to the town’s limited capacity to manage these projects directly.

Transitioning to community services, the board discussed the town’s senior transportation services and the potential integration of a dial-a-ride program from KADA to supplement existing offerings. The Council on Aging currently operates four vans, but there was a debate over expanding service hours to accommodate residents needing transportation beyond the current cutoff time of 3:30 PM. While some members argued for the need to assess demand for later rides, others pointed out that the Department of Elder Affairs’ guidelines restrict the types of trips allowed, limiting flexibility.

The potential of KADA’s dial-a-ride service emerged as an option for residents requiring transportation outside the existing parameters. One board member suggested redirecting funds allocated to the MBTA to support KADA’s program, proposing a trial period to gauge community interest. The integration of KADA services was seen as a cost-effective way to enhance offerings without additional financial burden on the town. However, concerns remained about whether KADA could accommodate the same flexibility that some residents might seek.

In addition to housing and transportation, the board discussed the implementation of Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) in Manchester. Representatives from Colonial Power Group introduced the municipal aggregation process, which aims to create a buying consortium for electricity to negotiate better prices. The program would automatically enroll residents on basic service, allowing them to opt out without penalties.

Financial implications were highlighted, with no financial responsibility for the town concerning the number of participants. The possibility of funding an energy manager position through a small fee added to electricity prices was mentioned. The board discussed the potential savings for residents, estimated to be between 8% and 10% on the supply portion of their electricity bills.

The meeting also touched upon various other community topics, including committee appointments and the need for clearer communication regarding the town’s transportation services. The board noted an increase in community interest for committee positions. Discussions about the town’s financial reporting achievements and the ongoing projects related to water infrastructure and traffic management were also part of the meeting.