Concerns about transparency in purchase of building

SALISBURY — A modest amount of sparks flew at the July 5 meeting of the Board of Selectmen when Selectman Mark Lauretano noted that both Bob Riva, chairman of the Affordable Housing Commission, and Jocelyn Ayer, the commission’s housing coordinator, were unavailable to answer questions about the recent purchase of Lakeview Apartments by a nonprofit organization.The apartment building at 32 Millerton Road was purchased by the Women’s Institute for Housing and Economic Development from Peter Oliver, with an assist from Ayer and the commission.The building has four one-bedroom, one two-bedroom and one three-bedroom apartments.The Women’s Institute owns the building under the name Lakeview Apartments LLC. The closing date was May 2, and the price $400,000. The Women’s Institute has offices in Boston, Mass., and Middletown, Conn. It has been in negotiations with St. Mary’s Church in Lakeville to buy a parcel of land near Perry Street in Lakeville and possibly developing it as affordable housing.At the June meeting of the Board of Selectmen, Lauretano said he had received communications expressing concern over the purchase. He asked that Riva and Ayer meet with the selectmen and the public to answer questions about the Women’s Institute and the relationship between the commission and the institute.“Why is the housing coordinator bringing into our town an unknown entity to buy apartments, and why am I finding out through a press release?” he asked in June.On July 5, Lauretano said he was not “paranoid” about the Women’s Institute. He said his issues were that the Affordable Housing Commission, by not reporting regularly to the selectmen, is not following the rules of the ordinance that established it. He also said the selectmen were remiss in not following up on the activities of the commission.“So all the Affordable Housing Commission needed to do was inform us and explain what the Women’s Institute is and that it was properly vetted. It’s not a matter of paranoia.”Selectman Jim Dresser, who is also on the commission, said Lauretano was making a serious accusation. He said there is no requirement that the commission report to the selectmen “as we go along,” but rather that it report annually.He also said the sale of the Lakeview Apartments was a private transaction.Lauretano said he interpreted the ordinance differently and said the commission needs to report back to the selectmen. He said Ayer, the coordinator, “is facilitating these land deals. It’s a matter of transparency.”