The town’s Affordable Housing Trust met on November 12 in the police station conference room and met with a potential new member with decades of relevant experience, and the trust talked about revamping its web site. MAFT also discussed logistics for special emergency lock boxes for elderly residences, as well as seeking grant opportunities for the MAFT’s housing production plan.
Town resident Jennifer Newsom spoke with the trust and said she has worked with the state Department of Development Services for the past 25 years. She also has conducted housing subsidies-related work for the state for 37 years.
Trust members appeared impressed with her credentials but her potential appointment was not on the agenda, and it had not gone before the Select Board. Newsom sat in on the meeting.
If all goes well, Newsom will be named as an Associate Member of the trust.
Just like last meeting, the trust is looking for ways to revamp its website, so it is more consistent with the trust’s purpose and goals.
At the last meeting, the trust was contemplating seeking an intern who could conduct such work, which would save money.
Norman Hills, the Select Board Representative on the MAHT, said he would follow up with the Town Administrator about the endeavor.
The trust tabled action on seeking funding and working through logistics for emergency lockboxes for seniors and other residents in need. These boxes are dubbed “Kox boxes” and have been a topic of discussion at the last few meetings.
MAFT members said that there are legal challenges, such as a deed restriction for anyone with these lock boxes. Such lock boxes would allow fire and emergency officials to break into a home in the case of an emergency.
MAFT members also discussed whether they should seek funding from the trust’s account or seek community preservation funds for such a project.
MAFT members also referenced the town’s housing production plan, which was last updated in 2022. MAFT members said they would like to seek grant opportunities toward realizing goals within the plan.
The Marion Affordable Housing Trust is scheduled to meet again Tuesday, December 9 in the Marion Police Department’s conference room.
Marion Affordable Housing Trust
By Jeffrey D. Wagner