Affordable senior housing study planned for Mattapoisett
Efforts to develop more affordable senior housing are in the works, although just getting the necessary paperwork done could take close to a year.
Town Administrator Mike Gagne told the Board of Selectmen Tuesday night that the town’s stock in senior housing is at an all-time low, but the number of seniors in the area continues to increase. The number of seniors living below the poverty line has also increased, according to Gagne.
“Since I’ve been here a little more than two years, I’ve heard incidents where lifelong residents go to affordable senior housing in New Bedford or farther,” he said. “I think that’s a sad scenario.”
Gagne said a number of things needed to happen to offset the low numbers and move toward the state’s 10 percent affordable housing goal.
“You’re essentially getting an analysis for what is involved to do a housing project,” Gagne said. “This is initiated by public hearings and having a core group of senior citizens acting as sounding board for various ideas and needs.”
This board would evaluate needs such as locations, engineering work and utilities. After that, a conceptual design must be made and approved. And, of course, figuring out what everything would cost has to be finalized.
Approximately $25,000 in funding for the study has been approved by the Community Preservation Committee to be placed on the spring Town Meeting warrant.
Gagne said MassDevelopment, a state economic development agency, has agreed to help with the process after the initial study is completed.
“It will be a long time before we reach that 10 percent mark,” Gagne said. “But I’m excited about this project.”
In other town business:
Police Sergeant Anthony Days was appointed to the rank of Captain following an “Assessment Center Exercise” with Police Chief Mary Lyons, Town Administrator Mike Gagne, and three police chiefs from other state municipalities. Days was tested, along with fellow candidate Sgt. Jason King, on subjects such as budget concerns, media handling and leadership skills.
The Heritage Days Committee is seeking new members despite this year’s positive response. Committee chair Bobbi Gaspar said only four members are active now, and a minimum of 10 would be needed to run next year’s Heritage Days. Meetings will be held monthly, starting January 17 and running through August.