Members Present: Ruth Hall, Betty Jane Hunt, Susan Molnar, Nancy Palladino, Joan VanDerVeen, Linda Wilson

The first meeting of the West Amwell COAH Advisory Committee was called to order by Township Committee Member Nancy Palladino at approximately 7:30 p.m. Each member provided an introduction and some background information regarding her familiarity with COAH affordable housing.

The meeting opened with Ms. Palladino discussing the mission of the COAH Advisory Committee. According to Ms. Palladino, the Committee’s mission is to monitor progress and rules of the COAH requirements, as well as developing a spending plan.

Discussion followed regarding the Township’s COAH requirements. According to Ms. Hunt, the Township was required to provide for six (6) units of affordable housing during the first round and thirty (30) additional units during the second round. Ms. Palladino added that we will be facing our third round in the near future. Based on information shared at the meeting, it was discussed that our COAH obligation was met through the following means: 1) eight (8) accessory apartments; 2) 10 rehabilitation units utilizing community development block grant (CDBG) funds; and 3) a Regional Contribution Agreement (RCA) with Lambertville for fifteen (15) units at a cost of $325,000. No one can predict what our next round obligation will be at this time.

Ms. Hunt discussed the accessory apartments and her procedure for certifying the tenants. Ms. Hunt stated that the Township pays a $300.00 fee to Edward Guebtner, of Mullin & Lonergan, to verify the income of the prospective tenant. Ms. Hunt further stated that once a tenant is placed in the accessory unit, there is no requirement that the tenant be recertified during the time of occupancy. Ms. Hunt further stated that recently she has found that several of the accessory units have new tenants who were never certified by the Township, and she is working to obtain those income certifications. Ms. Hunt advised that owners are required to submit an "Affidavit of Continued Use for Low and Moderate Income Housing" at two-year intervals from the date on which the certificate of occupancy was issued.

Ms. Palladino described the current development fee process and stated that the Township collects development fees from all non-affordable, residential new construction as well as all new commercial uses. Resales of homes are not affected by the development fee process. The fee is ½ of 1 percent of assessed value for residential and 1 percent of assessed value for commercial uses. Ms. Hunt stated that the fund balance at this time is minimal. Ms. Hunt further stated that one-half of the fee is collected by the construction official at the time a building permit is issued, and the balance is paid at the issuance of the certificate of occupancy.

The next discussion focused on the need to develop a spending plan to authorize the Township to expend funds from the development fee account. Ms. Molnar provided information on options the Township has with regard to the spending plan. According to COAH rules and regulations, a maximum of 20 percent of the funds can be used for administrative costs associated with the program, and 30 percent of the funds must be used to render units more affordable, including down payment and closing cost assistance, low-interest loans, and rental assistance. Discussion followed regarding possible options for use of the funds. Specific discussion centered around a group home on Rock Road, which may be in need of rehabilitation and the possibility of financing the repairs in exchange for a cooperative agreement to deed-restrict the home for COAH credits for the third round. Ms. Molnar suggested that Ms. Palladino ask for suggestions from her colleagues on the Township Committee with regard to priorities for the spending plan. Ms. Palladino requested that the members take home the information provided this evening and be prepared to further discuss the spending plan at the next meeting.

A brief discussion followed regarding the possibility of bringing an assisted living facility into the Township for COAH credit, as well as possible senior housing. Ms. Wilson agreed to contact Presbyterian Homes of New Jersey to inquire about the possibility of this agency building an assisted living facility in West Amwell Township. Ms. Hunt stated that the biggest obstacle to providing a large facility is the lack of a public septic facility in the Township.

Due to the urgency of creating the spending plan and resolution, it was agreed that the COAH Advisory Committee would meet again in two weeks on Thursday, April 5, 2001 and again two weeks later on Thursday, April 19, 2001. The time of the meetings has been changed to 7:00 p.m.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Molnar