Minutes

Wellesley Housing Authority

January 3, 2018

MINUTES

PRE-DEVELOPMENT DUE DILIGENCE WORKING GROUP

MEETING #1

MARCH 19, 2018-4:00PM

BARTON ROAD COMMUNITY ROOM

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Michelle Chalmers

Paul Dumouchel

Stefania Paola

Maura Renzella

Odessa Sanchez

Michael Zehner

MEETING CONVENED: 4:05 P.M.

Ms. Renzella opened the meeting by stating that the purpose of these meetings is to keep everyone completely informed as to what is happening regarding the pre-development phase of the project ….MAXIMUM TRANSPARENCY. Everyone wants to eliminate the potential for incorrect information being circulated amongst various stakeholder groups.

Ms. Renzella went over the timeline so far….the CPC has approved unanimously our request to obtain $200,000 for a Title Search on all WHA properties, a Phase 1 Environmental Survey, and a Site Survey with Wetland Flagging. The Board of Selectmen have also endorsed this expenditure. The next step is for Town Meeting to authorize the expenditure. The first night of Town Meeting is Monday March 26, 2018. Mr. Zehner indicated he did not know when this would be taken up on the agenda. It may not be on the first night. Ms. Renzella indicated she would reach out to CPC Chair Barbara McMahon to determine when the funds would be available. Mr. Zehner said there was a possibility that the funds could be available at the conclusion of Town Meeting; otherwise, we would need to wait until approximately July 1st. Mr. Zehner indicated we are very favorably positioned for Town Meeting approval, but you never predict with 100% certainty what the outcome will be. Ms. Paola asked what would happen if Town Meeting voted down the request…..Ms. Renzella said that would end our efforts for this year.

The Mass Housing Partnership has assigned us a Technical Assistant….Laura Shifelt. Mr. Dumouchel will reach out to her to obtain sample RFPs so we do not have to “reinvent the wheel”.

Mr. Zehner reminded the group the Boston College students performed an academic project looking at re-development. They will present their findings at Wellesley Town Hall Friday March 23, 2018 at 3:00 p.m.Mr. Dumouchel indicated he would get an email out to the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners inviting them to the presentation.

Ms. Chalmers asked about the order of tasks should Town Meeting approve the funding. Ms. Renzella responded that the order would be Title Search, Phase 1 Environmental Survey, and a Site Survey.

Ms. Sanchez asked about reaching out to other Housing Authorities that have successfully completed similar proposals . Ms. Renzella suggested we “stay in the moment” and not get too far ahead of ourselves.

MEETING ADJOURNED: 5:00 P.M.

Paul Dumouchel

Executive Director

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