West Amwell Township Housing Committee 
COAH

May 24, 2001

Present: Chairperson Sue Molnar, Linda Wilson, Ruth Hall, Nancy Palladino

Absent: Joan VanderVeen, Betty Jane Hunt (arrived last 10 minutes)

Molnar called the meeting together at 7:15 pm. Minutes of the last meeting on April 19 as prepared by Betty Jane Hunt were unanimously approved by those in attendance. It was suggested that the minutes be mailed out to members two weeks after the meeting with notice of the next upcoming meeting. Minutes were approved by Nancy Palladino and seconded by Wilson.

The 2001 regional income limits recently adopted by the Council on Affordable Housing on May 2 were distributed to each member. The current spending plan was discussed. It was discussed that the spending plan presented to the members was not signed and certified and appeared not to be adopted. Wilson will contact COAH to determine if the spending plan is filed with them. An Assistant to the Director (Mary Beth Lonergan) will be contacted to determine our current status.

A letter dated May 4, 2001 was received from Ed Geubtner in response to this committee’s request to find out how the income eligibility procedure is conducted by his firm Mullin & Lonergan. The letter outlined the process used, along with a copy of the West Amwell Accessory Apartment Program Income Determination application. It appeared that he does not use income earned from investments. It was noted that we must assure that Low and Moderate are being alternated in the current accessory dwellings.

Palladino reported on her research into ECHO units. She met with Holly Haven who is the current Director of the Hunterdon County Housing Committee. She supplied Palladino with printed materials on Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity, the ECHO – POLY house information, an article on the Readington ECHO experience, administrative information, DCA Construction Code, sample Ordinances from the Townships of Union, Bethlehem, Franklin, and Readington, along with sample leases, resolutions and registrations, PolyTech has built two cottages, the second of which is going to Bethlehem. They have a waiting list for more units. The municipality or an individual could choose to buy or rent the unit. Readington has 8 or 9 units and uses another builder to obtain units. The units are only given ½ credit presently.

HCHC finances the construction of the unit initially. The individual must own land and pay for the cost of site prep and utility setup. Septic adaptation is reviewed by H.C. department of Health. We will invite a representative from Readington to a future meeting.

It was discussed as to what the current status of compliance with COAH is, Hunt said we have substantive certification and the Treasurer has what she needs to allow access to use Housing Trust funds.

The next meeting will be held at 7 pm on June 21.

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Palladino