Affordable homes for elderly

CORNWALL — A stream that runs through a Cornwall Bridge property has provided the name for a housing complex for the elderly that will be built there soon.Ground is expected to be broken this fall on Bonney Brook, a 10-unit U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) subsidized apartment building on Route 7 (between the Cornwall General Store and the Cornwall Bridge fire house). Interest in the rent-controlled homes has already been substantial. The overriding theme in comments about it was the difficulty of finding affordable retirement residences here.The project also brought its share of opposition from town residents, for various reasons, when the project was scrutinized at informational meetings and permitting was considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Among the debated issues was the lack of a residency requirement. HUD requires no restrictions be imposed. Some said construction funds should have been raised through a bond, and current Cornwall residents given preference.The process has been ongoing for several years. Cornwall Housing Corp. volunteers (not a town agency) spent a decade looking for the right piece of available property to purchase.The Cornwall Elderly Housing Corporation was established a year ago to follow through on the project. A plan that considers a long list of aspects, from energy efficiency to an attractive setting and accessibility to services, has been tweaked again and again. The Cornwall Elderly Housing Corporation has $2 million in HUD and other funding for construction, and needs to be very careful not to overspend.The latest news is the hiring of Haynes Construction in Seymour, Conn., the lowest of the three most qualified bidders. Thirteen bids were received. Connecticut Real Estate Management LLC, of Cheshire, was hired to manage the property, which includes placing residents. The company also manages the subsidized Kugeman Village in Cornwall.Meanwhile, the Board of Selectmen is working with the town assessor on a tax designation specific to Bonney Brook. Taxes could be abated, as they are at Kugeman Village. That would require town meeting approval. Board members seemed to prefer a special assessment based on income. Instead of taxes based on property value, they could impose an annual fee equal to 3 percent of gross rental income, plus federal subsidies. That is expected to total about $100,000, putting the annual payment at about $3,000.

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