Town seeking members for new housing group

SALISBURY — The Board of Selectmen is seeking members for the new Affordable Housing Commission.

There are seven spots on the commission; they must be electors of the town and will serve without pay.

Selectman Jim Dresser said the selectmen are anxious to have “as large a group of qualified candidates as possible to choose from.â€

He described the ideal candidates as “entrepreneurial team players who are results-oriented, optimistic, thick-skinned and energized by a challenge.â€

“We’re looking for people with project management, project financing, construction experience and legal and financial backgrounds,†said Dresser, adding that these are not prerequisites.

Most importantly, said Dresser, “All members should be good listeners who can absorb the views of the townspeople†at commission meetings, which will be public.

The commission was established at a town meeting Nov. 9. The idea for the commission came from the June 2010 report of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, which noted that the town has 18 existing commissions recommended that the same be done for the business of affordable housing.

Dresser summed up the commission’s role:  “To advocate for the provision of affordable housing, serve as a forum for the discussion of housing issues, weight housing priorities and make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen and local nonprofit housing organizations, assist developers willing to develop housing in Salisbury, identify housing sources and make recommendations for expenditures†from the Affordable Housing Fund, also established at the town meeting, with a budget of $50,000.

Dresser emphasized that the commission does not have the authority to spend money, nor to determine where affordable housing will be built.

However, he noted, “It will have a major impact on whether we achieve our goal for an improved housing stock for our citizens.â€

Interested persons may nominate themselves or others, and should submit nominations to the selectmen’s office by Dec. 23 by e-mail (townhall@salisburyct.us) or by phone (860-435-5170). One of the selectmen will interview each nominee.

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