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<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>YRHC Meeting Minutes<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Feb. 28, 2007<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Meeting called to order 7:03
p.m.<br>
<br>
Present: Mark Greene (chair/housing administrator); Steven Train<span
class=GramE> (</span>selectman); Tammy <span class=SpellE>Hohn</span>;
Will Tierney; Leah Maloney; <span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Michael
Maloney; Jonathan Norton; John Billings; Linda <span class=SpellE>Papkee</span>;
Chris <span class=SpellE>Papkee</span>; Justin <span class=SpellE>Papkee</span>;
<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Alden Robinson (Island Fellow).<br>
<br>
1.<span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>Will <span class=SpellE>Hickock</span>
<span class=GramE>addressed</span> the committee briefly. He discussed
the merits of mobile homes/modular homes based on research that he and
Steve Train conducted in the past. He suggested that they offer a
viable way to get a house constructed for under $100,000 and left
information for further study.<br>
<br>
2.<span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>John Billings asked how the
town planned to determine whom it would give land to. Steve Train
explained that the proposal under consideration would lease land instead of
transferring ownership, and that its goal would be to increase tax revenue
instead of costing the town money. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'> </span>John Billings said that if the town sold town land outright
at market value, buyers would probably build bigger houses on it and
generate more tax revenue. Mark Greene said that while that was probably
true, preserving a year-round community on <st1:place w:st="on">Long Island</st1:place>
was a key to maintaining our low taxes, since a non-volunteer/non resident town government
could be much more expensive in the long run than what we have now.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>What we have now (a year round diverse
community) is seriously endangered by the pressures of the second home housing
market which often out competes the abilities of younger residents, who
presently do not own property, <span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>seeking
to remain on the island.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'> </span>It was also pointed out that if we sell the land now, we
have no way of guiding its future use towards the good of the community.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>It was also noted, that if these community
oriented goals are no longer necessary in the future, the land can always be
eventually sold.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>This concept offers a
chance to get some of this property back on the tax roles and support the goal
of helping our own citizens stay here and hopefully continue to contribute to
the well being of all. <span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><br
style='mso-special-character:line-break'>
<![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]><br style='mso-special-character:line-break'>
<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>New Business:<br
style='mso-special-character:line-break'>
<![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]><br style='mso-special-character:line-break'>
<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>1.<span style='mso-tab-count:
1'> </span>Mark Greene said that Rep. Hannah <span class=SpellE>Pingree\u2019s</span>
bill LD 763 has a public hearing in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Augusta</st1:place></st1:City>
on Friday. LD 763 would impose a 1% transfer tax on real estate
transfers over $500,000, the proceeds of which would go to fund local
affordable housing efforts. Although it will generate very little immediate
money for island use, in the future if property values continue to climb and
bigger houses get built, it could become a source of some assistance.
Mark asked the committee for permission to speak on their behalf in favor
of the bill. The committee agreed unanimously.<br style='mso-special-character:
line-break'>
<![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]><br style='mso-special-character:line-break'>
<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>2.<span style='mso-tab-count:
1'> </span>Mark also asked for a volunteer to be listed on the board of
the Year- Round Housing Committee when it incorporates as a 501©3 charitable organization.
<span class=GramE>Mark<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Greene</span> and
Steve Train had already volunteered to serve as board members; Leah
Maloney volunteered to be the third.<br style='mso-special-character:line-break'>
<![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]><br style='mso-special-character:line-break'>
<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>3.<span style='mso-tab-count:
1'> </span>The new housing proposal was then outlined, which had been
discussed previously with some committee members to gauge its practicality.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>It was noted that this is major change from
the original proposal floated in the surveys sent out recently to all residents
and property owners.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>The time frames
involved for the original proposal (build a rental house on town owned land)
were years long and had many hurdles to clear, not the least of which was the
obtaining of grants, loans, etc. and actually getting the house built.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>According to early survey returns, we have a
number of our present citizens that need housing solutions quickly and the new
proposal has a much quicker time element.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'> </span>The following is a summary of the many questions and
ideas that were floated in the discussion.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
</span><u>Please keep in mind that these are just preliminary ideas to
stimulate a more refined proposal by the YRHC and if acceptable, for eventual
Town Meeting consideration.</u> <span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'> </span>The proposal would involve asking the voters to lease
certain parcels of town owned land to eligible island residents. Under this
proposal, the Year-Round Housing Committee, using guidelines as yet to be
developed, would select candidates to lease a parcel of town land on
condition that they build and occupy<span class=GramE> a</span> year-round
home on the land. The annual lease for the parcel would be set at equal
to the amount the parcel would generate in taxes at its full and current
valuation the same as any other parcel of private, residential land on the
island. <span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>In addition, the lessees would
pays taxes, as any other homeowner, on the houses built.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>The lease on the land would continue as long
as the conditions of the lease, also as yet to be developed, continue. An
example of a possible condition would be continued year occupancy by lessee. <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>If the lessee decides to sell the house or can
no longer meet the conditions of the program, the YRHC or the Town or both
would have first refusal to purchase the house at a predetermined value which
might take into account standard per square foot building values. Resale
price calculators would be determined by guidelines specified in the
lease to preserve its affordability, yet preserve the investment that the
owners have put into the house. <span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>The
house might then be available for resale to the next eligible candidates, if interested<br>
<br>
4.<span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>The committee was generally in
favor of studying further the leased-land model. They discussed the
mechanics of reselling the house and how the price should be
determined. Steve Train said that the proposal the committee brings
to town meeting should be flexible in the parcels of land it incorporates.<br>
<br>
5.<span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>A map of possible parcels was
discussed; it was suggested that two parcels near the school might be
best to start with since they are <br>
conveniently located and wouldn\u2019t require building a road like other
parcels at the east end.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Several other
parcels are not yet legally cleared as fully town owned, but are in the process
and may also be considered later.<br style='mso-special-character:line-break'>
<![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]><br style='mso-special-character:line-break'>
<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>6.<span style='mso-tab-count:
1'> </span>Leah Maloney asked who would perform perk tests to the
properties to determine their suitability for building. Steve Train
suggested that<span class=GramE> </span><br>
the town could pay for the tests initially and if successful, the tenant
could reimburse the town later.<br>
<br>
7.<span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>The committee agreed to
consider criteria for eligibility for its next meeting.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Members were asked to bring their ideas for
proposed criteria to the next meeting along with other questions about refining
this proposal.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span> Next meeting will
be of Wednesday, March 14th at 7 p.m.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Meeting adjourned: 8:25 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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