Six new apartment units are in the works for Sarum Village

SALISBURY — The Salisbury Housing Committee, the nonprofit organization that oversees low-income housing at Sarum Village and Faith House, heard from consultant Larry Wagner on Monday, Aug. 22, about applying for state funds for predevelopment work. The committee hopes to add six new units to the Sarum Village complex, which is on Cobble Road.Wagner said the total cost of predevelopment work would be $72,000, much of which can be obtained through a state program designed to help get such projects started.The committee will have to go to the Planning and Zoning Commission at some point, as the original plan called for the possibility of adding four new units, not six. Wagner said that after meeting with the Water Pollution Control Authority, it was decided that additional septic capacity is not necessary, but a larger-capacity pump is.The timetable is fluid at the moment. Wagner said getting the application for the predevelopment funds squared away will take a few months, and then it goes to the state Bond Commission — which is convened at the governor’s discretion. Bond commission meetings were rare in the last couple of years, much to the frustration of state Sen. Andrew Roraback (R-30), a commission member. Wagner said he believed construction could take place in 2012, but he couldn’t be any more specific.The committee’s meeting format is a little unusual. There are actually two meetings — one for Sarum Village and one for Faith House, with financial and status reports from the manager for each location.During the Faith House meeting, Selectman Jim Dresser reported on the 25 Academy St. renovation, the first stage of which took place last Friday, Aug. 19.The big issue was insulation, Dresser said. The house had inadequate insulation, which combined with electric heat, resulted in high bills for the previous occupant (who now lives in an apartment in Sarum Village).The town owns the little green house, which is across from the LaBonne’s parking lot. The committee manages the property, and Habitat for Humanity is supplying the labor.The Salisbury Housing Committee provides housing for people of moderate means. Sarum Village was established in 1988. The application process includes income verification, a credit check, personal references and a background check. Applicants may contact the Salisbury Housing Committee at 860-435-0049 or write to PO Box 10, Salisbury, CT 06068.