Salisbury prepares a home for affordable housing

SALISBURY — The dumpster parked on the front lawn of a modest, single-family home at 70 East Main Street is an obvious clue to the renovation going on inside.

What is not so apparent is the time, materials, resources and talent being provided by a group of local contractors to upgrade and update the house that will be sold by the Salisbury Housing Trust, Inc. (SHT) to an individual or family as affordable housing.

Orchestrating the renovation project are Salisbury resident Ryan Cooper, owner of TriState Landscaping, who also serves on the board of SHT, and general contractor Andy Molnar of the family-run EJ Home construction/property management company.

“Andy, from the start, has enthusiastically asked to run the show in order to give back to the community,” said John Harney, who serves as co-president of the housing trust with Leo Gafney.

Harney credited Molnar with bringing together “a coalition of contractors who feel the same and have made time to help renovate this property for affordable housing. Local contractors are using their time, favorable estimates, and expertise to create a beautiful, affordable house for a future family.”

Last summer, trustees of the nonprofit housing trust purchased the circa 1900, three-bedroom, two-bath, two-story home for $250,000 with the intention of investing another $100,000 to $150,000 to renovate it, and then subsidize the home so that a family or individual can purchase it for around $200,000, depending on their income.

$90,000 challenge grant

Fundraising is a key component of the SHT’s efforts, said board member Judy Gafney during a recent Saturday morning walk-through at the property with several housing trust board members and contractors to inspect the progress.

She has taken the lead on fundraising efforts and explained that about $90,000 is still needed to complete the renovation. According to Cooper, the discounts in work provided by the contractors has resulted in a savings of about $40,000.

Still, all new kitchen appliances are needed, as are 10 interior doors costing $900, and a vanity in the bathroom for $1,600, according to Gafney.

“We are encouraging the public to donate to those upgrades,” she said, noting the progress already made. “Fundraising is easy when you can show them something.”

Harney, a long-time area real estate agent, challenged other agents to consider donating a small portion of their commission, around $500, when a property transaction as a way of giving back and supporting the affordable housing effort.

“It can be done easily at the closing table to have a second check cut to SHT for reinvesting in the community,” explained Harney, who also gave credit to Sue Dickinson at Litchfield Bancorp for taking the lead in supporting the housing trust’s mission.

As he spoke, board member Karen Sunnarborg arrived just in time to join in on the tour. Participants marveled at the view of the Railroad Ramble walking/biking trail directly across Route 44, which conveniently leads to various amenities in the village hub.

Visible progress after months of labor

In recent months, the kitchen has been completely gutted, the floor leveled and high-end, repurposed kitchen cabinets from prior EJ home projects await installation. Cooper said that in a few days, the low-maintenance, durable vinyl flooring that resembled wood will be installed.

“It’s meant to be durable and last,” he explained.

Even the small attic received some TLC, as Molnar proudly pointed out during the tour. Once dark and dingy, the space is now white and bright and usable.

Among the contractors assisting with the project are Will Bassett, owner of Bassett Heating and Air Conditioning; Decker and Beebe, which is doing the plumbing; electrician Rob Asselin of Asselin Electric; Luis Ismalej, lead carpenter; AJ Home’s three partners, which include, in addition to Molnar, his wife Jusztina Paksai, and Stephen Levin. Bill Clark, manager of Herrington’s, has been supporting the renovation project through discounts on materials.

As for the big construction dumpster out front, it has been offered at a discount by C&M Carting Solutions, said Cooper.

“Their support has been an integral part of this project,” said Cooper, who noted that he is looking forward to starting on the home’s exterior improvements in about a month, including lawn repair, new flower beds, a patio off the living room and new exterior drainage.

“I’ll come in and bring my workers at no cost,” said Cooper, who noted that his first client 21 years ago was Sarum Village, and he has been doing building maintenance at that site, and at other affordable housing projects, since then.

“This board is special to me because it’s about home ownership. It encourages the next step to someone who is renting,” explained Cooper, who grew up on a private estate in town belonging to “big donors” of affordable housing.

“I want to be part of the solution and would like to carry on their legacy.”