The Municipal Affordable Housing Trust (MAHT) is a seven-member, independent entity that can acquire and sustain low-cost housing on behalf of the town. It is not a town board, but is by statute subject to the Open Meeting Law. Harvard’s Annual Town Meeting voted the trust into existence in 2005, according to provisions of the Community Preservation Act. The trust’s fund is now largely funded through Community Preservation funds, but it can receive private donations; for example, it has received $15,000 from the 25-percent-affordable Trail Ridge housing development on Littleton County Road. A “Declaration of Trust” governing the trust’s operation is on file at the Registry of Deeds.
Trust interviews prospective member
The January resignation of Scott Hayward created a vacancy on the trust that Bruce Nickerson and Leo Blair have each offered to fill. Retired actuary and lobbyist Nickerson—a resident since 2001—told the trust that Harvard must either create diverse housing or resign itself to changing from a New England town to a typical suburb, available only to those with hefty incomes. “Harvard as we know it will cease to exist” if it fails to provide homes affordable to teachers, police officers, retirees, and young families, he said. The trust will interview the other MAHT candidate, Selectman and East Bare Hill Road resident Leo Blair, on Feb. 9 at the Hildreth House.
MAHT treasurer presents financial report
Shirley LaPierre prepared a report showing that the trust has approximately $266,000 in its account. Last year, the trust spent approximately $25,000 for marketing and engineering studies to explore the possibility of a 60-unit, partly affordable housing complex on the town-owned property surrounding the Hildreth House, which currently serves as Harvard’s senior center. At its Jan. 12 meeting, trustees had voted to suspend further spending on plans for the 60-unit project.
LaPierre said she would start preparing for the trust’s required annual independent audit of the books.
Town sewer study informs planning for Hildreth housing
The trust reviewed the final report of the Town Center Sewer Action Group, which has recommended a sewer district for the downtown, including municipal and private buildings. The 60-unit, partly affordable complex that the trust had been pursuing until Jan. 12 would exceed the proposed system’s capacity.
Trust solicits help for website
Chairman Mort Miller said the trust needs a website so it can post its policies, minutes of meetings, and other information. Trustee and newly elected Vice-Chairman Wade Holtzman said he would investigate how the Historical Society created its site. Miller said he hoped to find interested volunteers at the high school. Currently, there is no central repository of information for the trust.
Master Plan Implementation Committee seeks dialogue
The Master Plan Implementation Committee, a subcommittee of the Planning Board, wants to work with the trust to develop a new affordable housing strategy for the town, which would be incorporated into the 2010 Master Plan. The master plan group is exploring an overlay district that would allow dense development in targeted areas around town.
Subsidy offer for Pine Hill Village lapses
Last January, the trust had approved a so-called set-aside of $25,000 to be granted to R. Carter Scott, developer of the approved 40B project on Stow Road near the Route 495 overpass. The funds were to subsidize one extra unit of affordable housing for the 24-unit complex, with seven affordable units instead of the state-mandated minimum of six. Time has lapsed for the offer, which Scott had not formally accepted. The trust voted not to renew the offer, with four voting “yes” and one abstention.
