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Falls Village Housing Plan Task Team looks ahead

FALLS VILLAGE — At its first meeting, the Falls Village Affordable Housing Plan Task Team (with Janell Mullen, regional planner for the Northwest Hills Council of Governments, taking the helm), reviewed the process and goals of creating an affordable housing plan.

They also settled on a name.

Mullen explained that state law requires all 169 municipalities in Connecticut to produce a five-year affordable housing plan.

She said it is important that the plan account for present and future residents and workers.

And the goal is to come up with a plan that is flexible, proactive and realistic.

Asked how the plan is being funded, Mullen said the state Department of Housing provided grants to municipalities. The town then transferred the grant money to the Council of Governments.

Mullen said she hoped to have a draft by the end of the summer.

At the next meeting, Wednesday, March 7, 7 p.m., Mullen said she would present census data to the group, noting that such data is not always accurate. “We’ll have to look and see what’s being missed.”

The team’s meetings will be the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. The meetings are open to the public. Mullen said that to avoid “Zoom bombing” (when online trolls join meetings in order to disrupt them), interested people should email her at jmullen@northwesthillscog.org for the meeting link.

The Board of Selectmen appointed 12 members to the group last month. 

They are: Greg Marlowe (representing the selectmen), Adam Sher (Board of Education), Felicia Jones (Economic Development), Alice Macchi (Planning and Zoning) and Eric Carlson (business).

From the community at large: Emily Bronson, Abigail Horace, Dinny Light, Colter Rule, Kathleen Clark, Julia Olff  and Daly Reville (alternate).

Patrick L. Sullivan

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Provided

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