Trust pauses paid communications on transfer‑fee campaign; approves town‑meeting outreach plan and $15,000 communications allocation

The Affordable Housing Trust received an update on the real‑estate transfer fee campaign and approved a town‑meeting communications plan and a $15,000 budget for outreach.

Transfer‑fee and legislative update Tucker Holland reported on recent state‑level activity around a proposed transfer fee that would direct revenue to local housing. Holland said work with regional partners (including Martha’s Vineyard) had focused on lobbying and communications; the governor at one point included a transfer‑fee provision in an omnibus package but it did not survive the final bill. Holland said Senator Susan Moran Cyr (as reported in the meeting) expressed optimism about moving the measure in the current two‑year legislative session and that several key senators may visit the region to see the local housing need firsthand.

Holland said prior communications work…