Present:

John Jordan (chair)
Lynn Frank
Shirley Kane
Dick Gilbert
Paul Corcoran
Regina Bringolf
Mary Garland
Wayne Gordon
Kris Mathewson

Unable to attned: Bill Bevis, Janet Young

1. Report on Lopez Island, WA, Housing Program: Mary Garland presented information on this low-cost housing program in San Juan Island County, adjacent to Seattle, WA. This is a community land trust funded privately and with grants. Building units are under 1,000 sq. ft. in size. Agricultural activity is encouraged and active. Mary reported that the largest number of similar communities is in Vermont. (Follow-up on this lead was discussed without conclusions.)
   
   The trust at Lopez Island owns the land; the houses are single dwellings purchased on a 99-year occupancy basis, with another 99-year renewal permitted as part of the agreement. Resale may be made at a maximum 5% markup. Committee discussion: Consider this approach, with acceptable variations, in Hancock with the land to be condominium through an association ownership. .
   
   
2. Town Survey Questionnaire: This was approved with modifications. Distribution as an enclosure with Hancock Happenings was proposed and will be investigated. (Original plans to make it a mailing through the Town were dropped because of Town budget restrictions.) Information to be included in the town report must be submitted by January 31st. Town meeting date was reported as 3-15-2003.
   
   
3. Wayne Gordon advised the committee of publication by the Institute for Community Economics in Springfield, MA, with a definition of "Affordable Housing" which might be instructive for our use.
   
   
4. NEXT MEETING will revert to our usual time, the Fourth Monday: 7:00 PM, Monday February 24th, 2003, in the Daniels Room at the library.
   

Minutes prepared by
Dick Gilbert