Did somebody say 'affordable housing?'

PINE PLAINS — The subject of affordable housing was raised at the May 20 Town Board meeting. It was brought to the table by Councilwoman Sandra David, who told the board she and fellow Councilwoman Rosemary Lyons-Chase have attended a couple of meetings on the subject. They’ve spoken with Sam Busselle and Jocelyn Ayer of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s HousingUs project. Ayer is also a collaborative planner with the Regional Planning Collaborative from northwestern Connecticut.

“They’re calling it ‘workforce housing,’ which is much nicer,� David said. “Because when people think of affordable housing they think, ‘Oh, God, [it’s welfare and Section 8].’�

Attorney to the Town Warren Replansky said he and Planning Consultant Bonnie Franson spoke with Anne Saylor, housing coordinator at the Dutchess County Department of Planning and Development. Saylor suggested the pair organize a small committee, of roughly five people, with some members who have specialized expertise. One should be knowledgeable in local real estate while another should be a contractor. From there Saylor recommended the board use its discretion, perhaps appointing a Town Board member, a Planning Board member and a member of the general public.

“She said it would be helpful to her,� Replansky said. “I don’t know if you want to solicit that, but put some feelers out. Why don’t we get as many names together as we can. We would like to have it appointed no later than the next meeting.�

David reiterated to the board that she would like to be a member of the committee, a point she made at a previous meeting. She also requested advanced knowledge of any future meetings with Saylor, saying she would like to listen in on those meetings.

“The interest I have is of Jocelyn Ayer of HousingUs coming to speak to the board,� Lyons-Chase said.

“I would love to listen to her and find out what she needs,� town Supervisor Gregg Pulver said. “Then we can [accommodate] her.�

“They can sort of steer us in how to get funding,� David added. “We also need to get people on board [with the understanding] that it doesn’t mean welfare.�

Replansky, meanwhile, said he and Franson will try to “prioritize� what they can get from the county in terms of funding and support.

Pulver said the town needs to also set priorities when it comes to affordable housing.

“I think we’ve got to tailor it so that people from Pine Plains or that have lived here can either stay here or have the opportunity to live out the rest of their days here,� he said. “I think it’s two-fold — it should help young families that need to start out or older people that have been taxed or pensioned out of their homes. We really want to tailor it for people from here or the surrounding area. We’re not looking to move people in, we want to keep people here.�

However the issue unfolds, Pulver said it will be done in a public forum and fully scrutinized as the town tries to come up with the best plan for the community.