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Trust debates funding and affordable-unit mix for Bob Kroll Road redevelopment
Summary
Trustees reviewed consultant options for moving DPW operations off the Bob Kroll Road site to enable housing redevelopment, discussed what funding sources are eligible (noting Community Preservation Act limits), and debated whether to model proposals with 25%, 50% or higher shares of affordable units to balance developer interest and subsidy needs.
Trustees spent a substantial portion of their May 18 meeting reviewing a consultant memo and planning next steps for redevelopment tied to the Bob Kroll Road/DPW relocation concept. The memo outlined state, federal and county funding possibilities to support moving DPW operations so the existing DPW site could be repurposed for housing.
Trustees emphasized a procedural constraint: Community Preservation Act (CPA) monies cannot directly fund the construction of a new DPW facility because that work is treated as essential municipal infrastructure. However, if DPW operations are relocated and the former DPW site is turned over for housing, CPA funds could potentially be used for demolition or site conversion associated with housing production.
Members pressed for clear input to return to the consultant within a tight window so the consultant can run financial scenarios ahead of a stakeholder community meeting. Trustees debated what share of the housing should be set as restricted affordable units for modeling: one trustee supported a 25% floor, others proposed 50% or a scenario where 60% of units are below 80% of area median income (AMI) to make the project attractive for nonprofit developers seeking Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). The housing coordinator reminded trustees that the Trust’s charge prioritizes households at 80% AMI and below and noted Trust funding could only be directed toward units meeting that standard.
Trustees agreed to ask the consultant for at least one model that showed a higher-affordability scenario and to use the consultant’s modeling tool to test ranges during stakeholder meetings. They also discussed stakeholder meeting timing and the importance of coordinating with project managers and the select board before public outreach.
Next steps: trustees will refine affordability targets, consult with Paul (staff) and other stakeholders, request the consultant run requested scenarios, and prepare materials for a community stakeholder meeting later in the month.
