Amherst Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Sep 10, 2026

Good evening and welcome to the September instance of our affordable housing trust meeting. Uh uh thank you uh Ruby for uh representing uh Representative Dom here at the meeting. I'm glad to have you. Um our our session today is going to be um a lot of uh kind of working on our own work and and catching up with what we're doing and um in particular we're going to talk about um the ADU initiative a bit but why don't we start with the minutes um thank you Greg for uh preparing minutes for June and July which will catch us up. Uh I have a couple of um uh just I saw a couple of typos in in one of them which I can share in a minute. Did anybody else have any comments or questions about the minutes? Um so Greg in the June minutes um my the first uh um my name in the first per time it shows up is misspelled and then in the call to order there's just um an e instead of of the but otherwise those are just typos um substantively they they look great. Thank you for preparing them. Thank you for reviewing for reviewing closely. Oh. >> Um, so I see folks reviewing so just give a give a second for that. Looks good to me. >> Okay. Um uh if there are no comments or or questions about the minutes, um um can we have a motion to approve minutes or all in favor? of approving the minutes. Uh, good to see you, Ryan. Um, we we just uh reviewed the minutes and um did you have any any comments about I guess you were just here for this last August meeting. Was there anything that you might have noticed there before we um uh take a motion to approve the minutes? >> There was nothing that I noticed. >> Okay. All right. bothersome. >> Um, okay. Uh, I think for for the minutes we we uh seeing no no comments or questions, we can just have a raise hands to approve minutes. That's all right. Okay. So, we have a unanimous approval of the minutes. Uh, Greg. Um, now, uh, Ruby, any public comment for us? just raise your hand if you want to jump in. Um so the the first item on our agenda is to talk about scheduling. We've been on Thursdays for a long time. Um I was talking to Greg about seeing if if another night might work because I can see a number of conflicts up ahead on on Thursdays. And um and so we were um wondering if Wednesdays might work for people. And the note here is that for this coming month in October, we would want to meet in the first week to get um a meeting that gives us time to discuss and review what we'll be talking about in a little bit, which is preparing our application for uh funds from the community preservation act uh committee. So, um the question then is um is Wednesday a night that can work for people number one. If another night would work better, let's let's hear about it and see what we can figure out. And then if Wednesdays will work for October, um Greg and I would like to suggest that we do it in the first week to give us a little time to take feed get feedback and incorporate it ahead of the uh deadline for submitting our application. EJ >> uh first I think Wednesdays probably but I just wanted to make sure. Are we 7 o'clock? Start >> 7 o'clock. Yeah. >> Thanks. Yeah, I I can confirm at least it works for me. >> Okay, decent. >> I do have a recurring meeting on Wednesday from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. So, I don't think uh Wednesday would work for me. >> Okay. Okay. All right. All right. Understood. Okay. Maya. >> Yeah. Unfortunately, I also have a recurring meeting on Wednesdays from 7 to 9, but >> if it possible, it would be amazing. I mean, I don't know if this would work, but like even like I could try and push my meeting back 30 minutes if it was like 5:30 to like 7:30, something like that. I could try and make work if that worked for everyone else, but I also know that 5:30 is a little early. >> Yeah. Well, I mean I um there are other committees that meet earlier. So we we've historically met at seven and I'm personally open to changing that time, but I I haven't discussed this with anybody else. And so um uh I mean we may end up just keeping it because it's it's got momentum here. But um so uh are are there um people who would like to suggest meeting earlier on Wednesday or a different evening of the week besides a Thursday or a Wednesday? Uh Mayan, please. >> Sorry I keep raising my hand. Um, but uh I mean my personally I can always I can make work like 7 to 8:30 on Thursdays like which I mean isn't ideal because obviously I want to be here for the full 2 hours. So I mean it would be nice to maybe do it a bit earlier in the day. Um like I don't know but I know that like it like obviously my schedule as a college student is different. >> Yeah. Um, so I don't want to like Yeah. >> Yep. Okay. All right. Um, EJ, >> uh, Tuesday, if I had to pick another day other than Wednesday, um, with my general commute, it it is a little bit easier for me if it's later. But for a once a month commitment, I'm I'm happy to try to adjust if it's easier to for the whole body to meet at a certain time. So, Tuesday evenings are feasible for you. >> Yeah. >> Tuesdays and Wednesdays I can make work. >> Okay. Is is Tuesday night a night that that works for others? >> Yes, it works for me. Uh just not Wednesday, but any other night works for me? >> Okay. I I know that I'll be having an issue with Tuesdays come January, but um I guess uh we can take one step at a time. Bob, please. I'm pretty flexible um in terms of days of the week. It it'll just me depend on which day it is in the calendar, but I can be flexible and also flexible as far as time, whether it's a little earlier or later even. >> Okay. Um uh so we've got we can always keep, you know, keep keep it at on Thursdays at 7, which has been uh pretty much working. Um, I guess we now have the the question of of Tuesdays with my proviso that I'd need to revisit it in January. Um, is is is there any is there uh interest in moving from Thursday to Tuesday for the rest of the fall? Uh, or or shall we just leave things as they are? Can you can you clarify? You said conflicts that you're seeing in in in Thursday. Is it is it >> temporary or is that >> Yeah, let me So the um uh Okay. So, November um actually um you know what I I think I think I'm I think that the second week of you know the the November meeting I may have an issue that Thursday. >> Okay. Um but but actually um October um October would be fine. So maybe we should just leave things as they are for now. >> Yeah. I guess what I was trying to say is if it's if it's mostly just this the upcoming quarter. >> Yeah. >> We could as you're sort of saying like we could try Tuesday for a quarter and then when you start having Tuesday conflicts we could back to Thursday. I'm pretty flexible. It's just okay. >> I hate I hate that when like we're s sort of trying to decide on something and you be like this is it. >> Let's how about we uh how about we we keep it as it is and and we revisit in December >> and and and look ahead from December into January. Um I know that uh Ethan and mine you're on semester schedule so maybe things will change up then and we can all take another look. Greg, is that is that okay? Um yeah. So we'll stay with Thursday then. Um yeah. >> So all right. So our next meeting will be October 8th then which will give us time to um correct you uh and prepare for the CPA. >> All right. So that is our our scheduling discussion. Um so the the next item on our agenda is the the community preservation um uh act committee funding application. So our largest recurring source of in of of of funds comes from the CPA uh committee and so we need to apply for that every year. It's a competitive grant but we have always been awarded uh some funds. I mean sub substantial funds not always exactly what we requested but always a very meaningful um uh contribution. Um, but we need to make a case for it. And so, uh, Greg, let me pause here and see if you want to highlight any specific issues. I think our main, um, focus this evening is to identify, um, people who would like to be involved in the process of of reviewing and and thinking about how we frame that application. Um, but Greg, are uh, other other issues that are significant this year that you want to highlight? um uh nothing that um stands out dramatically. It might be just good to remind or or you know clarify for newer members, you know, that you know the CPA funds uh are are town funds that are a search charge on top of sort of base taxes, but these funds can only be used for affordable homes or open space preservation or recreation or historic preservation. Um, and there's a committee that allocates these funds uh based on a competitive application process. Um, and so we are kind of unique in the CPA world in that one of the key things the trust does um and all trusts in Massachusetts do is act as a a non a non uh specific destination for funds. meaning we can accept funds and wait until projects show up and be nimble in our funding of those um uh which is kind of part of what trusts are designed to do. Um unlike other CPA projects need hyper specificity in what they are, we don't require that. So it's a you know it's it's it's a neat leg up for us in a way. Um, >> yeah. >> And it also raises framing issues because we need to be able to make a case for why we need funds without having the specific request for those funds before us. And so how we are thinking about our strategy, what projects we expect in the pipeline, what initiatives we want to um put our efforts into are all going to be significant for how we um, you know, present that application. And so the um the I guess one question is whether uh so where what we want to end up at is having a full draft for the full uh trust review at our October 8th meeting. So we will include a full draft in that packet. So what we're looking for this evening is to see if there are volunteers who want to either be part of the discussions for how we go ahead to frame that application and or to be in the review process after we have a rough draft to review a draft of that and give us feedback that we can work on ahead of getting a draft ready for the packet. Lion. >> Hi. I just have a couple like clarifying questions. Um the first thing that I was just curious about is by framing do you just mean developing kind of language and writing up a report or based Okay. >> Yeah. EJ maybe um you know last last year he uh helped us think about the framing maybe you can comment on the the kind of feedback you were giving us he and um and so what that framing exercise uh looked like last time around. Yeah, it it was a a pretty enlightening experience. Uh especially as a fairly new member of the trust. I was I was kind of like I joined the trust right around when you guys joined last year. Uh just as some context and um in in terms of the specific feedback, my my memory is a little fuzzy in terms of exactly because there there were like a lot of like circular discussions cuz they the guest on and Greg had to really kind of just help me understand how things uh like why why things are the way they were. But all in all um it was a great discussion kind of understanding um how we sort of position ourselves what our goals are for these funds and why a certain amount is allocated in in a in a certain way. So, it's kind of in my world in the when you're dealing with budgeting, um, having a line item and just being able to say this is my projection and this is why I'm doing it is is is the basic way of kind of what this document is aiming to answer. Um, and it's designed to be fairly forward thinking. Um the challenge for us is obviously as Greg and Gaston alluded to it it is somewhat vague because our scope is somewhat expansive relative to like a a more direct CPA fund. So >> yes, ma'am. >> Sorry. Are so are we more so reviewing proposals from like are we reviewing like developer proposals and kind of like or >> Yeah. So it's a it's a great question. So, um, just to kind of highlight the the point that that Greg, um, made earlier, by law, we're the only recipient of CPA funds that can receive funds without having a specific project at hand. So, we're the only, uh, body that can receive funds for hypothetical needs, uh, to put it in in that way. So that means that we have to be able to say what what those needs are, what we expect to be in a position to fund, if we have our own initiatives, what those are and and what we expect to do and and why funds are needed for those initiatives. And so what becomes kind of tricky is that we're we're arguing for um funds for projects that aren't in front of us concretely and we also have to compete with projects that are uh concrete and so it's it's it's an interesting dance. Paul please. >> Yeah. Yeah, I just wanted I think one of the because of that it's important for us to document how we have been spending the CPA money um in the past so people can CPA committee it's competitive process so CPA committee can say ah we have given them this money in the past they've spent it wisely and we've and these are the things that we've achieved with the the investment so is let's keep giving them money that's sort of what the motivation is >> thank you Yes above. >> And just to clarify the timing. So this is for CPA grants that would cover the next fiscal year running from which month? >> Um so this will be for FY28. Um thank you. Which begins um July 1. Um so um interestingly like the CPA usually finishes up its work in you know a year and a half kind of because of the fiscal year being a a midway. So um yeah so this is for funds that will be available starting July 1st 28. >> Got it. Thank you. >> So I'm interested. So, uh, yeah, it seems like a really interesting project. >> Okay. And so what I was just going to say is that the the next step would probably be um having a a meeting um with me and Greg in the next um week or two, reviewing last year's application, reviewing where we are, trying to get sight lines on things that we see coming around the corner, and um uh taking a position on how we want to frame our our needs and and priorities. Um, okay. Thank you, E. Um, uh, would anybody else like to be part of that initial process or would anyone else like to volunteer to review a first draft? Um, Mayan, which uh what what do you want to jump in for? >> Um, I'd love to be part of the initial review pro process. >> All right. Okay. Uh, EJ, >> I can do the first draft once once that's kind of >> Okay. >> the concept. Um, excellent. Um, what do you think, Greg? >> Um, sure. Yeah, that's I think that's that sounds great. Oh, yep. And um um and I can uh notice something. So, we're kind of in the clear there. Um um >> yes, right. um you know and and that's um um so yeah and I think just and I think maybe the thing I'll just reiterate too is the you know so our meeting in October would be the 8th and the final thing has to be submitted uh by the 16th of October. So we'll have a little cushion uh between our meeting and and a deadline but um not substantial. So the line share of the work uh you know should get done uh between now and our next meeting uh and then um uh there will be um uh you know hopefully we don't have major changes in October um and we will hopefully have maybe a little more sight line on a couple things in the next month um that might animate our application. So I'll stay in touch about that too. >> Okay. and and maybe uh we'll we'll figure out our time to meet by email, but just to um see if Mondays can work during the day for you both um and you three, but E and Ryan. >> Monday at what time? >> Well, I I mean I'm flexible just to >> next Monday. like I was looking at the 21st because we'll have to notice this meeting because we'll we'll be we'll be we'll be three members. >> Uh I can due any time after 4. >> Okay. Um uh and and Greg, are you are you uh on on duty at at at at 4:00 uh on a Monday? You're muted now. So sorry. Uh not not on a Monday, unfortunately. Not not at 4. Um >> Okay. >> Well, let's let's do this by email. Um we can Yeah. >> Yeah. Um uh uh good. Okay. Thank you very much um everyone. And so moving along, we um want to talk to you about what we're doing with the um the ADU initiative, which you'll recall I introduced very briefly at the end of our last meeting. Um thank you to HJ for for giving us very thorough feedback on um on the draft editorial and on on the survey, which we've taken uh to heart. And so, um, I think we may as well, um, uh, put on the screen the the the the latest draft of the editorial. It's not very long. You you should be able to read it in three and a half minutes. And um, and that'll give everyone a chance to give us some some feedback and um, you know, make sure that we're comfortable with this message on on all our behalf. Uh >> uh do can you can you all see and is it big enough? >> It is big enough. And so we'll just kind of read the the first half. >> Oh, is is this the very last version? Is this the >> uh Yeah, this is this is version four. >> Okay. >> Can you just drop it down so we can see the title? >> Oh, sure. Please. >> So, two things from my perspective. I think I love how it flows and reads and is very conversational. So, I think that you you did a really terrific job on that. Um, one thing is the um I think at the and this about when you're saying if you moving into a smaller footprint house I think sometimes when I I was actually just having dinner with somebody who's considering this and they're saying well I can't do stairs anymore and they want to get into a single floor and like that's an something that people want to stay in their own units but >> and they're they're just sort of exploring and um I think just something that talks when you talk about moving to a smaller house it's also about eliminating barriers to >> Yes. Um yeah, Greg, can you just make a note there of um we'll add something on accessibility um and and one floor living >> and I I think you know I think you're right about the initial impulse has been by developers to build uh units for students. I don't at the the second to last paragraph or maybe last paragraph. Um I don't think we need to I I really I don't like when the town disparages students who are valuable members of our community >> and I don't think we have to say to it seems a little pjorative to say that one built to pack in student beds. you know, that just feels like >> yeah, we don't >> um >> that is the intent probably, but >> different from an investment proposition. Would that be would that kind of shift to the other side of the >> uh Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. An abs you could say absentee landlord, absentee owner, I don't know. But I I just don't want to say it's you need to it's about student beds. >> That that that's a very um that's point very well taken. Um, thank you, Paul. So, yeah, we'll we'll make sure that doesn't read that way. Mayan, please. >> Um, I completely agree with Paul. I really liked how it was written. Um, I think that the style makes it really easy to flow. I think some like small things that I noticed. I maybe think that the second paragraph might do slightly better as like the first paragraph, like when you're asking the questions like, "Are you a senior living in Ammerst?" those types of things just because I think that when someone sees it, it just might grab their attention a bit more if they feel like it's like, oh, like this is something I resonate with. and then going into maybe some of the explanation of the ADUs after. >> Okay. >> I think that like out of context it might be a little confusing. Um, something else that I think could maybe be helpful and maybe again this might just be me, but I sometimes like when there's certain words that are bolted, like key terms that you like really want to jump out at people. Um, so I think like not like obviously overusing the the bold or anything, but maybe at the beginning or towards the end, just like using a couple bold or italicized things like for something like accessory dwelling units. I think that could be a great thing to have bolded just so that it like is something that stands out to people. Um, so obviously like at at your liberty, um, you know, add or don't add those, but I just think that could maybe make it a bit easier to read just in terms of when people are seeing it. But yeah, >> I just like to plus that the idea of putting the second paragraph first because I think that's a it that pull it pulls me in right away. I mean, if I start to read it in ADU is like I it's not me, you know, it doesn't I don't even know what you're talking about actually. >> Okay. Um, excellent. Um uh thank you Mayan. Um Een please. >> Yes. So uh before this I never know what is ADU is so I don't know about uh the demographics that you are sending this one to. I don't know if you need to define or introduce a little bit about what is access uh ADU because for me I'm a little confused what it means. Does it mean a cottage that you can build uh >> in the backyard or something like that? So I don't know about >> people who are older than me maybe they have more familiarity with ADU but for me at least uh it's a little bit confusing because I >> never know ADU before reading this >> point very well taken. Yeah we we uh we forget that um uh it's a it's a technical term and we could spell it out because it actually can mean a few different things and not everyone who uses the term may may recognize that. So um that's a very good comment. Please you had another comment >> right? Uh the second comment is you know you talk about the loan about the money you can get out from the loan. So it seems like you also want them to feel like they are also making money because you are taking out some loan you definitely want to pay back the loan while making some money because you also mentioned earlier you can you know do you know the home uh they can make some little rent. So just want to you know kind of if you want to attract the attention of the readers to do ADU I'm just wondering if you want if you can like have a estimate about how much money you can make or how because you also talk about the property taxes. So I'm just wondering if you can give some incentives mon you know monitoring incentives for people to think about ADU. >> Um thank you. We we we will we will it's it's hard to it's hard to be able to say something very very concrete >> right >> um we do Greg was able to get a wonderful uh owner testimonial um >> I don't know if we can share that this evening Greg that the owner would like to read the full editorial before >> giving permission to use their quote but I think I can uh it's fair to just paraphrase to say that it it it solved a problem for them that they didn't know how else they would be solved. >> And so >> um >> and supporting a family member I think you know is is the you know the interesting story there. >> Yeah. One more comment. Uh is ADU same as for example you can invite someone to leave your home without building a ADU in your backyard. Can you do that or it's different? >> That's that that would be different. >> Okay. >> Okay. Because it also sometimes you know at least from my experience working at ACC um you know some people would love to invite a housemate living in their house maybe because you know their spouse passed away so the house feel lonely just like what you mentioned here uh so they want a housemate so I just want to check check to see if it seems like it's different >> it's different but it's it's something that we should we should um consider making an initiative een because um that that can create truly affordable housing. Um, and so let's come back to that point. >> Okay. >> Thank you very much. Um, Bob. >> Okay. Um, yeah, I'm still wondering um just thinking about our mission as the trust. In our previous drafts of this, we've had some sentence um towards the top just talking about how just really tying this to affordability and our our mission to promote affordable housing. Um, and I don't have that that sentence in front of me right now, but essentially it was saying we see adus as uh, you know, potential solutions to um, that'll help homeowner homeowners and also increase the stock of of affordable housing in Ammeris. Um, and I just still sort of think that we should somehow have something a little more explicit about how this aligns with our >> our mission. Um, yes, we and and since we got it right once, we'll we'll get it back in here, Bob. Um, thank you for for reminding us. >> And I also support the switching to second paragraph to the first paragraph. Yeah. >> Okay, good. Uh, HJ. >> Yeah. So, I try to clean up a few thoughts in my head. Um, it's mostly comments off of comments. So, I think kind of playing off of the idea to move some of the themes of the second paragraph up. So to draw in to sort of like kind of understand who the target audience is >> um makes a lot of sense to Een's comment about explaining what a ED ADU is. It actually is the last sentence of that paragraph. Um does a pretty good job of of examples of ADUs. So I'm wondering if that kind of serves your purpose of kind of explaining that. So maybe if that is >> we can make it clear that it that it's giving a definition at the same time. I think make it do. >> Yeah. Um, in terms of affordability, I know it's our mission. I it it is something that I I want to be a little bit more subtle about because an ADU serves a lot of many purposes. subtly. It can help us in the affordability aspect, but a lot of this is kind of a lot of people seem to be interested in ADUs to help a situation like Paul just said like accessibility and things like that that honestly don't have anything to do with affordability, but we as we can be helpful in helping our community. So, in kind of helping popularize ADUs as a tool to help the community in general, we're hoping that it just raises the housing stock. I think that's the strategy here, right? >> Yes. And I would add EJ that the um the possibilities that the ADUs create, for example, this case of um a family being able to house a family member of theirs, they are not a they those families don't have affordable ways of doing that without the ADUs. So the ADUs are letting people stay in Amherst who otherwise couldn't address their needs and stay in Ammerst. >> So So it's easier for us to engage people and bring people in if we talk about the problems that they're engaging on, not necessarily the abstract of affordability at the at the offset. By putting our name there, affordable is literally in our in our name. it it already sets that precedence of like yes, we're in it because we think that this is, you know, going towards our goals. Like I don't think we would put our names if it it wasn't helpful for that either. So I'm not sure if we really need to be that explicit about how this helps that that price uh that that situation in this article. >> Okay. Um we we uh we've got a balance to strike, no doubt. Um here uh Greg. >> Um yeah, I just wanted to and this is probably too in the weeds for the text, but I think for context on affordability overall, um one of the sort of possible back-end strategies here is directing folks to these state resources um you know, which are um some of which are um aimed at folks below a certain income threshold. um you know so instead of qualifying a tenant in a apartment in this case the state wants to qualify a homeowner beneath a certain uh fairly generous but nonetheless beneath a certain income threshold. So um potentially on the back end there even just through a referral process you know there we are kind of mission aligned on the affordability front as far as the homeowner is concerned. this wouldn't preclude us from helping people who are above income but um yeah just want to add that detail. So, um I um I think that in terms of this document, um we'll clean it up with all of this um excellent feedback and send it out um to uh invite people to give any final comments before we um uh move forward. I I wonder if the the intention is clear enough to put us in a position to vote on um submitting um this editorial once it is uh cleaned up with this feedback. >> I see Maya's got a hand up. >> Yes, Maya, please. >> Sorry. There was just there was one more thing that I was just going to quickly add. >> Sure. Go ahead. I feel like there's like some points in it and I'll preface with this is just like me as like I'm not the most knowledgeable on housing and I'm just like reading it. But I think there's some things that maybe get a bit lost. Like for example at the very beginning when like it says lately that has been the story the recent controversy over how permissible square footage gets calculated. I feel like the story or like recent controversy, it just might feel a bit out of context for people who like aren't as like tapped into that type of thing. And kind of like what Paul was saying earlier, I think the best thing that we can do with this is kind of make people feel like it's relevant to them. So just like >> maybe shortening that section and just making it a bit less like wordy. I also just think like could make it more concise and make it less confusing. And there's also like a bit at like the very end. Um, >> so on this I certainly what we should not do is assume that everybody who reads this knows about this controversy. So we can we can point to it without assuming the reader knows what we're talking about. Um, and and and and do so more concisely. So point well taken. >> Um, and then um Oh yeah. Um, and if the first question in your mind is how anyone pays for this, that would like mainly this is like a stylistic thing. I feel like it that could just be like um you might be wondering how anyone could pay for this. Like I feel like that might be an easier way to like more concisely >> say that. I just noticed it like at like when everyone was talking, but >> that's the last of my comments. >> Yeah, you may wonder. Okay. Um uh so Bob please. >> Yeah just in terms of the context with the controversy I I don't know my whether you've seen it but there have been several um opeds in the Gazette and other publications uh you know very critical about ADUs uh in terms of student housing. So it's kind of a hot issue now. But that aside, you know, your point about not everybody will be aware of that is is well taken, but I I think we do have to acknowledge it um and keep that context in there. >> EJ, >> um yeah, maybe we can compromise there. I remember I try to remember the earlier draft had that um in it. I think that was the reason why I think in my comments I suggested leaving it because it felt important initially. But hearing May's comment, it's like we could allude to that that there's a negativity around ADUs in general, but not have to really point at the actual thing that is being actively talked about. like nobody has to be actually understood and you know has to really understand the the the the meta world around the controversy and the things that are being said but the the feeling is is something that we want to just kind of acknowledge is is there that we want to dispel I don't know if that helps kind of >> yeah I I mean so what I what I'm hearing HJ is that we can allude to the fact that there is controversy that controversy is related ated to ADUs that are being built by developers for um uh student housing. >> Um >> but we we don't need to get into the weeds any any further. >> Exactly. It it it like don't don't let your negativity towards towards that that whole situation preclude you from pursuing something that it might actually help you. >> Yeah. Yep. >> And for us might help the community. That's kind of the the thing that we're trying to build here, I feel like. >> Yeah. May >> Yeah, I completely agree with what HJ was saying. And just to respond to Bob, like I completely uh like also understand like where you're coming from and I think again like he just said, I think it's important to acknowledge. I think that mainly my like just like I just want to like clarify like where I came from with that point was just that I think in general at least maybe just like when I read things like I'm always looking for like ways to make it like a little bit more concise just because I think and again this might be a my generation thing but like I think that people's attention spans are like rapidly decreasing. So I feel like anyway to like make it like just like a tiny bit shorter even if it's just a couple words. Like the other thing that lasting last thing on this because I know we have lots of things on the agenda, but like I feel like I always worry with like the specifically the word controversy like sometimes I just feel like people like get a little squeamish about that word and like I don't know. I just like I feel like even just like if it's this like the same sentence with a different word like I just like I don't to be like oh my gosh this controversial like hot button thing even though like obviously it's like there's conversations happening about but yeah that's last >> we could probably refer to it as a debate. Um, okay. So, we What's that? Oh, uh, Marla, good to see you. I hadn't noticed you were here. Um, so you Where are we getting that background noise from? I wonder. Okay. Um, so yes, we we're we we're doing committee drafting, which is a a treacherous thing, but I think we we've actually gotten great feedback. So, it's it's a question of how well we can um incorporate it all, but I think we can. And um the next step will be to send a cleanup draft to everyone. The question I have is whether um we um can we Yeah, I'm trying to think I mean I think what we I think we want to have a vote on submitting an editorial like this to the Gazette and what I'm um wondering is whether we're in a position to do that now or not. That's that's so I I I would like to hear some feedback on that question. Maya, >> sorry I feel like I'm like my hand keeps shooting up. Um, so apologies if I'm like speaking a lot, but >> I don't know. That's why you're here. >> I I think the Gazette is great. I just This is just like more of a question, but are there other ways that sometimes we would maybe roll out information like this? just cuz I >> Well, um we um we've got a um a a great millennial social media influencer in our um membership um who might run with this as their first initiative. >> Oh, am I the millennial? >> The generation, right? >> Gen Z. The Gen Z. Sorry. >> Sorry. I was really >> That's how Gen X I am. I don't even know what generation you are. >> It's okay. It's okay. I can be a millennial. I'll be anything. >> I think they're Gen AI. >> Okay. >> I was just like, so I was like, Millennial. >> I know. Millennials don't know what they're talking about. Gen Z. We've got a Gen Z. Uh would you um we're getting it short enough that it's the kind of thing that you could help us post around and and distribute. >> Totally. But I mean, I think beyond like social media cuz I think as much as it's a good tool, I I think that there's other things like I just think about like for I mean I don't know if this is necessarily targeted at, you know, per se like lower income people or anything like that, but I just think about like people within the Ambridge community who maybe aren't as tapped in to like local news or stuff like that. Um just like genuinely as someone who like has only lived your career. >> I mean >> what are the other ways that like we can besides social media and like >> is it like posters or Yeah, >> it's a good it's a good question. Let's let's have that conversation. In terms of social media, I guess we're probably talking Facebook because it's older folks who are the homeowners generally. Paul, please. >> Um so I would like to give give the okay to move this forward. I don't think I want to wait another month to review it. But I think the time is now. So I'm not sure if you're looking for a motion or not. I think in terms of >> in terms of communication, I think we do have a communications manager for the town who can help promote this. And we have standard for town activities. We have standard protocols. If people want to retreat, we you know you know you know expand on that. That's great. But typically we try to follow a certain protocol with the town's communication strategies. So I would move to approve this in concept and the authors can take the feedback that they've heard and and you know and finalize it and submit it to the gazette. >> Uh excellent. Do we have a second? EJ >> second. Okay. Um uh so Mayan >> oh call we're voting. >> Sorry. Um yes. >> Okay. Uh Een, >> yes. >> Uh Bob, yes. Carla. >> Yes. >> Paul. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. >> And I vote yes. So we um uh passed unanimously. Um uh and that was Paul with the motion and he for the second. Um thank you everyone. And so um the the the next item as part of our initiative here is is a survey that we are going to link in there. And um uh Greg, you want to put that up? Um >> do you want the um um >> the most >> the Google for the Google forms version or the the the PDF, which isn't really what people will see, but >> yes, I think the PDF is what we've honed today, right? >> Yeah. Well, I' I've updated the Google form, too, so I can Yeah, then the Google form would be fun. TJ, please. Okay. >> Yeah. While GR getting that up, uh I think May raised a really good point. Just want to acknowledge that. But I also want to say this is one thrust at it. It's like a concept that we want to just we want we want one shot at at at going for community community engagement, but as you pointed out, there are multiple ways of doing making sure people hear the message. So >> yes, >> we we intend to include the copy of this editorial in this very survey. And this survey we intend to distribute in part with oldfashioned mail with postcards which would have a QR code and a link to the survey which would include the editorial at the end as well. And so, um, it's it's now, uh, we we've shortened the survey. That was other feedback that EJ gave us, and we we worked with that. And so, um, uh, do you want to scroll through at a pace that people can follow, Greg? >> Um, sure. I will play generic homeowner in Ammerst. Um, we did not edit the intro, uh, but we could, but, um, Okay. >> So, um, and we do have this guy here, too. So um so this one or this one will take us the same place. Um it's it's it's it's just it's we're not it's not moving or anything. >> Oh, what are you seeing? >> We're just seeing do you live in Amherst, homeowner or renter? Huh? Uh, >> maybe the PDF is Oh, there we go. Now, so, have you ever thought about adding an ADU to your property? >> Hold on. Let's go back. Sorry. Uh, did did it go back for you? >> Yes. Um, now we're on page two. You want to go back to page one. >> Okay. So, let's go back to P. Okay. So, here's page one. >> So, say yes. Um, >> yes. Okay. So, there's the Yep. you ever thought about adding an ADU? >> So, maybe I'm curious. Um um and let's say I want rental income. Um don't know Okay. So, it's it's pretty short and straightforward. >> Yeah. >> And and so we um we're we we've got two strong leads to be able to schedule um visits in October. >> Correct. Yeah. Um so if if we you know if we lock those in maybe we'll specify before we publish but >> but otherwise we'll just um collect the interest. TJ >> that that's a surprising one. Um surprise. Do do you feel we're going to get responses that quickly? October is not that far away. >> Okay. Well, um uh maybe maybe we should be um uh maybe then scheduling the the ADU visits in in November, beginning of November, >> or we could always try and do a second round. Um you know, I mean, I we think we could tweet the survey midstream um if we passed our our dates. >> Out of curiosity, it has to be October or November. just just just wondering like what is this existing ADU concept here? Could could we get an understanding? >> I mean we um Greg Greg and I have have um uh confirmed owners who have ADUs they've recently built or are building that would be willing to to show the the project. >> Got it. It makes me nervous that we're kind of putting a very like specific timebound question. >> Why don't we just say would you be interested in in in um in in a site visit to NADU and Amherst and we'll just we just need to make sure that anyone who answers yes to that gives us their email. >> Yeah. I mean, feel free to disagree. I just that kind of a good point and we can if we have something in October, we can advertise it in other ways as well. >> And on the flip side, if this this goes like gang busters and we get so much attention that logistics is going to be very very interesting to manage as well. So, you know, good problem to solve, but it's just it's just being a little realistic about a live live option. Just >> Yeah. >> You know, let's get the data first. >> Yeah. I mean, I I I my my sense is that running this successfully would mean getting uh 30 30 to 40 homeowners >> Yeah. >> who who are interested in hearing more. And um and I think that would be a big success. I mean, if we have a crowd like that, we might even want to create like a little class um with like a night that's about financing, a night that's on construction, something like that. >> Yeah, that that is very interesting. And I'm kind of wondering if this this actually is I get why it's in the survey. I I wonder if we want this out ahead if if we're assuming people are reading the paper first, like is this something you want to advertise twice just to kind of say, "Hey, look at this cool question here that might be really that pertinent in the next coming weeks if you have the time for it." >> Um, so that can I didn't I didn't I didn't >> Yeah, sorry. I'm >> Yeah. We so the the we we we I guess have the ambition of publishing an editorial in September in the gazette. It will uh it will have the link to this survey. >> We'll also do the mailer, >> right? >> Similar time frame. So then take it take it from there. Take the comment from there. >> Yeah. So in all those it's like a thing that you want to highlight somewhere in the article. Maybe maybe we do need to highlight that this is a potential like if you're if you if you're one of those people who really like to see something like this and like want to picture yourself in an ADU, >> there are opportunities that we can set up. Like that could be the very more vague way you can do it in paper. Here's that direct question. We have an opportunity we would like to set up potentially in in in this upcoming next couple months. Would you be interested? Please share your email for contact information. And then the mailer I guess could also allude to that as well. >> Okay. So, um, highlight this opportunity in the editorial survey and mailer. >> Yeah. >> Is your feedback. Okay. Good. Yeah, I that makes sense to me. Um uh should we have a vote on on the mailer? Um the mailer is just going to be a postcard that kind of invites people into the survey. And um there are these bulk rate um postage. If you pepper a whole neighborhood um a whole route with a postcard, you can get a very discounted rate. And so, um, I think we were thinking of targeting some, uh, neighborhoods in South Amherst. >> Uh, I do have a question. Do you have the, uh, age range of those, uh, people you are looking at? I'm just wondering if they know how to use a Google form to, you know, express their interest and collect the data that you need. That's my concern. >> Yeah. Um >> you worried E you're worried about web elig like web um literacy kind of stuff >> there's a age I mean the age access to internet because maybe some of them have flip phones so you know just do not use uh some mo so the phones that we have that can connect to you know Wi-Fi and Google form and sometimes you may need to create a a Gmail account in order to have access to the Google form I do not I just feel like technology accessibility. >> It's a good It's a very good point. Thank you, Isa, for raising it. Um, uh, Greg, would you be comfortable um putting a phone number on the on the Is there a phone is I wonder if we we could create a get a um just one of these um like just computer phone numbers that could receive messages. That's a good question. Yeah. I mean, I guess one of the things I want to be cautious about is just only making, you know, representations we can we can back up. You know, i.e., like, for example, if we did a paper version of this survey, do we, you know, if it's hard to know how many we'd get back, but a we'd have to distribute them and then b the sort of data entry there becomes, you know, a possible burden. But >> yeah, I' I' I'd want to boil it down to the just like I'm interested, like call me. >> Sure. Sure. Um Um >> Yeah, we Yeah. I mean, I think I would sort of perceive that a little bit outside of the survey framework, but I think we could find a way uh to to do that. um you know uh I mean I I yes I I think um it's just a question of like strategically publishing contact info such that like for example putting my phone number on the postcard would probably be a bad idea you know but uh yeah >> let's it's a point very well taken um Een and um you know we can always simply put a mailing address um somebody to mail something um if if if need He >> I I think this kind of goes back to what Mayan was saying earlier like this isn't necessarily social media gazette survey. These are all tools. >> Yeah. >> I think it's fine for what it is right now. Let's let's put a shot on goal. >> Okay. >> Not boil the ocean, right? And then let's try to think of other ways that we could we could also engage in people that we potentially are not reaching. Like, let's not forget >> bottles with a message into Puffer Pond. >> Honestly, guys, this is not that big of a town. Word of mouth is actually pretty strong. >> Yeah. >> Um Bob and I happen to live in a community that like there is there is a newsletter that goes out every month. >> You'd be very surprised how techsavvy some of the people on MRS are. So, let's let's let's just let's it's let's not overly complicate it. Uh, and I think this might be a great segue, Greg, to talk about the block party because that would be a good way to get the word out. >> For sure. Um, uh, a couple community events, um, coming up. Um uh one of which if we have bandwidth we could uh participate in which is the Ammerst block party uh which is an annual event um run by the business improvement district um uh but which is a great um uh sort of you know we shut down uh uh Pleasant Street downtown and lots of folks um walk around lots of different tables and you know retail folks and vendors and food and uh community resources including pound stuff um which um we could choose to um to advertise this at um uh and that is a week from today. Yeah, >> it's a week from today. Okay. Yeah. Um >> so the the the um the question is whether there is anybody who would be interested in um you know sitting at a table to talk to people about what we do um the evening of the 17th. Um, Greg and I have commitments, unfortunately. >> I'll be out of the country. Sorry. >> Okay. No, it's okay. I mean, it's, you know, just if it if it works, it works. If not, it's okay. >> Yeah. Um, >> yes, that's that's a hand. >> It's a hand. It's a tensitive hand. Uh, I mean, obvious I love talking to people and I would love to represent the group, but I'm also just kind of worried because I feel like I'm not the most knowledgeable. So, I just concerned that people would start asking me questions and then I wouldn't be able to give them proper substantive answers. But, obviously, I do think that it would be a cool thing to be there. Like, I'd love to be out in the community and meeting people. So, if there was someone like Paul or like someone who's been on like in this world for longer to be there, I'd love to like be the face of like talking to people. >> All right. Thank you for for stepping up. Uh Paul, >> yeah, I think you know where we put people from the town, all the town services are together, so there's a lot of overlap and people together. We usually put our tables in front of the fire station. So, there'll be people from our office, from planning, from all. So if you I think it'd be great if you were there Mayan because I think you know people you're you know people would want to engage with you. You have a more knowledge than you probably think you have. Um so and I think it's it's really about introducing people to the to the concept and I think so if you could be there I'm going to be around you know there'd be a lot of staff from the town in the same area. Um and so I think you know we could certainly it'd be great if you could if you were going to be there we should know so that we can you know create a space for you. When is the when would we be setting up? >> We set up around 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock on the 17th, >> but the block party doesn't really begin till 5, I think. >> Yep. And mine, you wouldn't need to be there for setup. I think it would be, you know, I could figure out uh printing materials and stuff. Um, and if I end up not being available, >> and I can be there I could be there um from 5 to 6. >> Yeah. I think if if you you know that's the that's the key time. 5 to 7 is the most likely time you'll engage in a conversation. >> I I could be there but I would I would have to leave before 7. I have something else at 7 >> and I I wouldn't be able to be with set up with work but um I could be there by 5 for sure. >> Okay. All right. >> Yeah. I can do 5 to six. >> Good. Wow. It's going to be a party six to eight. >> Good. Okay. Uh, all right. So, um, >> so I've got Een 5 to6, Mayan 6 to8, and was that Carla? Um, >> yeah, like 5 to 5 to like 6:30, 6:45. >> Sure. Yeah, that's great. And honestly, this is the kind of thing where like, you know, we can have some links to this survey. Um and uh you know and talk just broadly about the trusts and you know the need for affordable homes in town you know and if you have you know three to five good conversations per person in my mind it's a win you know um uh you know it's you know it's it's good to be out there and um you know but this doesn't it doesn't have to be super technical or um you know or uh very formal at all. you know, it's, you know, it's it's folks enjoying a nice evening and, you know, you can be a part of that. So, >> you can have printouts of of this editorial being cleaned up that you can hand out or talk about. >> Yep. >> Okay. Awesome. This is great. Thank you, Carla and Mayan and Een for stepping up. Um, okay. Uh, you want to tell us about the the Craig Store celebration? >> Um, yes. And I also want to make sure I get the date right. Um so uh Craig Doors uh is a um uh an organization based in Ammerst. Um and I'll I'll stop sharing there. Um um Craigslist is a a shelter which started off as sort of a seasonal um you know kind of 7:00 p.m. to 7 a.m. kind of uh effort that moved around to different churches and informal spaces. Um in recent years they have um uh become kind of a kind of a growing more sophisticated organization uh and they have uh been in more of a permanent home at the Emanuel Lutheran Church um where they uh offer services today along with uh one other location near the Baptist Church in Ammerst. In any case um uh they're they're kind of at a cool juncture of growth. Um and one of the things they're doing is trying to kind of become more present in the community and more connected to different community stakeholders beyond um you know their immediate volunteers or the folks they're serving immediately. So they're doing like an informal uh event on the I believe it is the 15th uh it is my calendar um I apologize for not putting that date in the actual agenda. Um the 16th is a block party, pardon me. The 23rd, Wednesday the 23rd at 400 p.m. Um and that is in um Millside Park. I I will send that I'll confirm those details. It's definitely 23rd at 4 and I'm the park is blanking on me. I think it's in Grath Park if I'm not mistaken. Um but I will confirm. Um but that's a great opportunity to just come meet other folks interested in um housing and homelessness and uh you know and solutions um uh including some of the volunteers and um folks who are leading that work um you know and so I um you know I I hope uh you feel free to spread the word and I'll send a flyer around as well. Um uh so that's a you know a neat way to learn a bit more about what's happening in Ammerst and and get connected to Craigs um as they grow and do some exciting stuff over the next um couple years. So >> excellent. >> Thank you Greg. So um Maya >> sorry I have to head out to another meeting right now but I just want to thank everyone. Um it's nice to talk to you all. Uh and >> thanks for your contributions. Uh, tonight's a short meeting, so um, we we we we had you where we needed you. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. I tried. I tried. Have a great night, guys. Bye. >> Okay. >> Thanks, man. >> Um, town updates. >> Um, so yeah, the um um most significantly is stuff uh related um to the trust. Um uh we have uh transmitted dollars to Amoris Community Land Trust. Um and they in turn have acquired 174 AMD Street. Uh I was there uh along with uh Gaston yesterday for an informal kind of kickoff of that effort. Um so um uh they um I believe have submitted their building permit which is probably under review right now. Um so um uh that's an exciting thing. So that they should be moving on construction um within a couple weeks I think is my rough sense of it. Um so pretty, you know, moving quite quickly at this point. Um so that's super exciting. Um and then also um uh some of you uh may may have one or two of you were there maybe, but we also um recently uh opened or did a ribbon cutting for Ammeris Community Homes um uh which is a great event. Um the property looks fantastic. Um that we've got uh homeowners that are already uh signing purchase contracts. Uh so that's a really exciting progress there. Um and uh on the trust side uh we um uh have sort of executed our agreement to fund uh the the late breaking solar addition uh to that project which we all voted on in or you all voted on I should say in January. Um, so those dollars um are um about there's a there's a check uh that's about to be handed off either tomorrow or Monday. Uh so u that's an exciting um uh development of well as far as following up in our our commitments. Um but also >> we got we got a lot of shoutouts from Representative Dome and and others for for the that contribution. So that was uh our our our our role was was well appreciated that that day >> for sure. Um and I will share as well from the town side uh you know that I uh and others in the team have been working um actively on stuff related to 457 Maine which is the former VFW site. Um and we will have uh some more formal information about that uh in a month. Um but um good things are happening there as well uh which we're excited to share about. Um so um yeah that and that's kind of what um kind of what I've been wound up in. Um and then um you know there are um uh you know the work with uh mass development on the Hampshire College site continues a pace. uh please look out for participation opportunities uh in that process and weigh in. Um you know and then sort of alongside that uh in uh a little less national newsy but certainly a significant site for Ammerst is the um the process to consider what to do with the Wildwood School which uh which with the opening of the new school um is is no longer going to be used as a school and that's a a significant property as well. So, um, uh, there'll be some, uh, some process around that. Oh, they're starting now really over the next couple years. So, that's kind of the any any questions about those uh those updates? Um that reminds me um I just wanted to point out that Een's question at our last meeting to um uh about the um application process led to some action and and and feedback. And so, um, this was, uh, Greg, can you? >> Yeah, sure. So, um, Ean asked about, um, uh, some of the, um, the sort of the the challenges around, um, submitting multiple applications for, uh, affordable apartments, uh, which is which can be a challenge, uh, for applicants. Um and um we heard back from uh the the Wayfinders uh development project manager who spoke to us uh at our last meeting um who clarified some detail um about how they'll approach um applications you know for their obviously they can't control other housing providers but um some information about how they're you know sort of combining their uh you know their applications so it's a little more navigable for applicants. Um so uh a healthy but uh you know but modest but important you know example of how you know asking questions can you know can can produce some you know some modest incremental gains on um you know access and outcomes. >> Yeah. Um and then um the other thing that I will share to you about that and now that I I raised it is um we um have um transmitted to them a letter of support for um the the changes that they asked us support. So I basically wrote a letter reflecting you know our vote in August. Um that meeting of the ZBA is the 24th uh of this month. Um and if you know if a member you know wants to join um uh that that meeting that might be uh that that might be an interesting thing to to both learn and and and possibly reiterate our letter uh it's you know it's a relatively simple letter but um you know it might you know perhaps that might um might help if someone's interested. I don't think it's vital but I wanted to just share when the ZBA would be considering that which is the 24th of this month. >> Right. 24th what time are the meetings? Um, oh, it is, um, believe they're a little earlier and I'm can look it up for you right now. >> Thursday CVA zone uh, zoning board of appeals, sorry. Um, and they meet uh at 6 p.m. Um, >> and if and the mean basically they they post to the town uh meeting calendar uh just like we do. >> Yeah. >> Yep. Yep. >> So, what's the the thought here? Just just join the meeting as like a like a >> Yeah, you can just join you can join as an audience member. Um and um you know and uh if you definitely plan to be there, you know what I can do is um uh I will um advise staff to that committee um that uh we might have a a trust representative available uh you know to to follow up on the um you know the communication um and and they may not you I suppose they they do take public comment uh I think on any anything. So, uh, you could speak up then. Um, but, um, and that that probably would be a great way to do it actually because that way you wouldn't necessarily have to sit through a extensive thing. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, has anyone become aware of something that would be relevant for us to hear about, Carla? Um just um one of our many ballot initiatives coming up in November, the legalized starter homes. I know um I I actually missed this webinar, but I have a um I have access to a webinar from Chapa about the ballot initiative and if you know if anyone's interested in learning more about that particular um ballot initiative. So >> um to Greg. Yeah. I'm going to send it to Greg so he can share it with >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Can you give us a the kind of the basic gist of the of the initiative? >> I mean I I have the basic gist. I didn't actually get to go to this watch this webinar myself, but the idea is basically kind of reducing the I think the minimum square footage I think is one of the biggest parts of it for um and Greg you can correct me if you're if I'm wrong about that for um building new homes and just making it easier to build um yeah to build smaller, more affordable, reasonable, you know, first homes for people. And I think some of it is reducing some of the requirements statewide instead of doing it by town by town. And Paul and Greg, please correct me if I'm wrong on either of those things. So, >> so I am not going to comment on this initiative because I am possibly conflicted uh as far as my role with the trust um and other uh roles I play. So, I'm just going to uh I'm going to name my my uh extension here from commenting. Sorry. >> Fair enough. Uh, anybody have anything else that um be relevant for us that didn't make it to the agenda? Um, uh, Mora or Ruby in the audience? Anything you'd like to share with us or or or voice before we close? Okay. Well, it's it's uh it's it's all right to have a shorter meeting from time to time. Uh, thank you everybody. Um, enjoy the rest of your uh, week. The weekend is around the corner. Thank you so much for uh, giving your thought to our initiative on the ADUs. I really appreciate it. >> Great job. Thank you. >> Thanks everyone. Well done.