Annual Town Meeting is on May 20th!
Sent May 16, 2024
Show up and Speak up
at the Annual Town Meeting
The Annual Town Meeting will include several Community Preservation Act articles that have the potential to impact housing opportunities for year-round residents. Please encourage your friends and family who live in Wellfleet to vote on the following articles. Childcare will be provided. Click here for details.
2024 Annual Town Meeting
WHEN: Monday, May 20, 2024
TIME: 6:00 pm
WHERE: Wellfleet Elementary School, 100 Lawrence Road
Read the ATM Warrant here.
Article No. 7: Free Cash Transfer
The purpose of this article is to transfer $500,000 from Free Cash into four funds including the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The Affordable Housing Trust funds critical programs such as the Buy Down Program, Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance, and the ADU Loan Program.
Article No. 13 - No. 18: Community Preservation Act
Article No. 13: Administrative Expenses, Debt Service, and Allocation of Reserves
This is the annual CPA housekeeping article. Out of a total projected revenue figure of $773,240 for Fiscal Year 2025, $38,662 is 5% of the estimated revenue allowed for administrative expenses, as provided by the Community Preservation Act. Open Space’s 10%, and Historic Resources’ 10% are reserved respectively for open space and historic preservation purposes. Community Housing’s 10% is divided between $53,397 for debt service for the bond on Maurice’s Campground and a housing reserve of $23,927. The balance of $504,437 is reserved for CPA-approved projects in any category including Outdoor Recreation.
Article No. 14: Return of $200,000 in Emergency Housing Assistance Funds from a $370,000 grant approved at the 2020 Town Meeting
At the September Town Meeting of 2020, the Town voted to award $370,000 to the Emergency Housing Assistance and Continued Rental Assistance Program to help residents remain in their homes and continue the ongoing Rental Assistance Program for qualified renters during the COVID pandemic. Such relief was provided using Federal and State funds, so local resources were not needed. The Housing Authority would like to request that $200,000 from this grant be returned to the CPA Undesignated Fund Balance for use on future projects.
Article No. 15: Affordable Housing Trust
The Community Preservation Act allows communities to allocate funds to their Affordable Housing Trust. This offers the Wellfleet Affordable Housing Committee a way to respond promptly to appropriate market opportunities for land acquisition, building purchase, essential maintenance needs and other allowed community housing activities.
Article No 16: Habitat for Humanity Old Kings HWY
The Habitat for Humanity development on Old King’s Highway was approved at the Town Meeting on April 26, 2016. Due to years of litigation, inflation, and other circumstances, the delay in the building of these homes has resulted in a significant increase in building costs. This grant will provide Habitat for Humanity with funding for $175,000 to defray unforeseen costs and provide four low to moderate-income eligible families with the opportunity to purchase community housing.
Article No 18: Spring Rock Village Affordable Housing
Neighboring communities in the Lower and Outer Cape have supported each town's housing developments beginning with Nauset at Village Green in Eastham. Wellfleet has benefited from funding from the Town of Brewster and is committed to reciprocating the support in the amount of $20,000 toward the 45-unit affordable housing development which will have regional preference for a portion of the units.
Project Updates
Residences at Lawrence Hill
In March, the Barnstable County HOME Consortium Advisory Council approved a $300,000 conditional commitment for the Residences at Lawrence Hill.
The Preservation of Affordable Housing and Community Development Partnership Development Team selectedDellbrook JKS as the General Contractor for the construction of the Residences at Lawrence Hill.
The next steps will include closing and a groundbreaking ceremony between July and August. During construction, the project team will coordinate with the Town's Wastewater Treatment Facility work. The Team will also develop a Construction Management Plan regarding any neighborhood-level disruptions.
Maurice's Campground
The Town has contracted Studio G, led by Gail Sullivan, to develop a Master Plan proposal for the varied housing uses at the campground. Gail Sullivan, a seasonal resident and principal architect for the Residences at Lawrence Hill, is spearheading the effort. Research and fact-finding are underway, with multiple focus groups scheduled until early August. A significant public meeting is planned for August. Further details will be provided on wellfleethousing.org