Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board approves amended RHSO intermunicipal agreement, confirms transition and monitoring services
Summary
The Select Board approved the annual amendment to the Regional Housing Services Office (RHSO) intermunicipal agreement; staff outlined a transition as Kristin Gouchard leaves Acton to join RHSO and described RHSO services and FY26 budgeting.
The Select Board on July 21 approved an amended intermunicipal agreement (IMA) with the Regional Housing Services Office (RHSO), continuing Acton's membership in the 10-community shared housing services program. The approval was taken as part of the meeting's consent agenda.
Town and RHSO staff used the meeting to brief the board on a leadership transition: Acton—s Planning and Zoning Director, Kristin Gouchard, will begin as RHSO executive director and will continue to support Acton in that new role. RHSO staff explained that Concord is the lead municipality for the RHSO and provides employment services; RHSO functions are contracted hours billed to member towns.
RHSO scope and services: Staff reviewed RHSO core services including deed-restriction ownership monitoring (about 435 units across member communities), rental monitoring (805 restricted units across 29 properties), resale lotteries (Acton had a recent resale lottery at Quail Ridge), administration of small grant programs, HOME administration in some towns, training for property managers, monitoring of Affordable Housing Inventory (SHI) units, and support for local boards and committees. RHSO reported it had added 1,762 units to member communities since towns joined the service.
Budget and transition details: RHSO proposes an hours-based budget process starting in September; FY26 includes a small supplemental hours upcharge to cover the director transition (both outgoing and incoming directors working during transition). Acton used 90 fewer RHSO hours than had been appropriated in FY25; RHSO staff said Acton will receive a credit/adjustment for the unused hours. RHSO said the first FY27 budget will be prepared in time for Concord—s Community Preservation Committee application cycle.
Board comments: Select Board members thanked Kristin Gouchard for her service to Acton and welcomed continued collaboration. Board members asked about RHSO—s owner workshops, individualized home maintenance referrals (RHSO said it runs a webinar-style "owner post purchase" training and can make referrals), and how RHSO supports lotteries and rental assistance programs.
Next steps: The RSAO IMA amendment was included on consent and approved. RHSO staff will continue monthly status meetings with member towns, monitor hours and services, and prepare the FY27 budget starting in September.
