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Resident urges modular ‘center village’ housing for municipal center parcel
Summary
At the June 2 meeting, resident Robert Lancet proposed reserving space in the municipal center plan for modular, affordable starter homes (citing a reported $300,000 two‑bedroom example), and asked how residents can raise the idea with the Select Board; commissioners said housing remains part of the parcel plan and encouraged continued engagement.
Resident Robert Lancet told the Essex Housing Commission on June 2 that the municipal center parcel should include a deliberate, affordable housing component he called a “center village,” using modular off‑site construction to keep costs low.
Lancet, who said he lives on West Sleepy Hall, urged the commission to push for housing on the parcel rather than leaving it entirely to large developers. He cited a modular example he described as a $300,000 two‑bedroom, and suggested the commission record its support so the Select Board and site developer will consider housing in the final plan. "I think we really need to propose and look at and tell me if I have to go get a petition going or where we have to go to basically embrace something called center village," Lancet said.
Commission members responded that portions of the parcel were still intended for eventual housing, that the Select Board is the primary decision‑making body, and that the housing commission has been invited to share input with the Select Board and site developer (identified in the meeting as Stantec). Members encouraged Lancet to submit the property addresses and to engage through the established Select Board and planning processes.
During the public comment period Cheryl Baps, another resident, said the town will lose the No. 4 loop bus route and urged commissioners to prioritize placing housing within walking distance of essential services such as pharmacies, the library and voting locations.
Commissioners said they have provided feedback on the municipal parcel previously and that further conversations about housing type, funding and placement are ongoing; they invited residents to attend future warned meetings to comment.
Next steps: Commissioners encouraged residents to submit addresses and comments and to participate in future warned agenda items and Select Board meetings to influence site planning.
