Council amends Union Studios contract to target 60–120% AMI after debate

Council members on Tuesday directed staff to amend the town’s May 13, 2024 contract with Union Studios to change the conceptual affordability range from 80–120% area median income (AMI) to 60–120% AMI for three town-owned sites under study (South Road School, Oliver Watson House, Wakefield School).

Councilmember Patty Alley raised concerns that the contract language as written appeared to precondition the consultant’s work to an 80–120% AMI target and might exclude options for lower-income homeownership or rental models the council has discussed previously with community partners such as Habitat for Humanity or the Women’s Development Corporation. “I feel like we're ignoring a complete segment of the population,” she said.

Jamie (staff) and other town officials responded that Union Studios’ scope is conceptual: the firm will prepare development layouts, massing and cost estimates so the council can evaluate feasibility and financing; the contract’s “80–120%” phrasing was described as an aspirational mix for modeling, not a binding marketing decision. Staff emphasized that infrastructure costs (sewer extensions, roads, on-site wastewater) will strongly influence feasible unit counts and the ultimate affordability mix.

Several council members argued the town needs to address the “missing middle” of households that earn too much to qualify for deeply subsidized housing but cannot afford market-rate homes. One council member proposed amending the contract to a 60–120% AMI focus; another suggested 50–120% as an option. The council voted to amend the contract language to read 60–120% AMI and asked staff to work with Union Studios to implement that change.

Staff noted amending the contract will require agreement from Union Studios; the manager’s office said staff will pursue that amendment and return with revised contract language and any cost or schedule implications.