Real Estate and Open Space Committee Meeting

Meeting date: 
Friday, November 17, 2017

Town of Harwich
Real Estate & Open Space (REOS) Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes – November 17, 2017
Members Present: Kathy Green (Chair), John Preston, Elaine Shovlin, David Callaghan,
and Marcia Thorngate-Smith. Absent: Robert Thomas, and Carol Porter, Guests: Amy
Usowski, Art Bodin.
Approval of Minutes: The REOS Committee approved the minutes of October 20, 2017.
OLD BUSINESS
Judah Eldredge Property Off Hawksnest Rd.
We discussed the inconsistencies in statements made by Chris Clark in the November
1st Harwich Chronicle article that Kathy discussed with him. He said that the town is
only required to pay the assessed value to acquire the land. He felt that we should
have supported the BOS recommendation instead of taking a different position. CPC
will discuss the BOS recommendation at its December 7th meeting. We decided to not
change our position of not supporting the recommendation.
Kathy sent a letter to BOS regarding our position on the Little Shaver Lane property.
BOS felt that our position was not clear. Kathy said that our position was already made
clear in letters to BOS in 2012 and 2015.
31 and 33 Lakeview Dr. on Aunt Edie’s Pond
When the owner sold her home, she neglected to sell the adjoining unbuildable lots.
They are very small, and the back taxes are $45,000. She asked Conservation for a
letter stating that they are unbuildable for Medicaid purposes, so she can collect her
benefits. The letter was provided.
List of Town Owned and Owners Unknown Properties
Kathy distributed an updated list of town-owned and owner’s unknown properties. We
discussed the list and made a few changes. She will update it and distribute it.
Bob Fratus owns 6.7 acres adjacent to Little Shaver Lane that is assessed for
$267,000. There is another 2 acres where his title is not clear, but he has some
ownership interest. Discussion will continue at the December meeting.
New Business
Art Bodin said that Bill Marsh Is interested in developing a property off Sisson Road
using 40b rules which would require 25% of them to be Affordable Housing. There are 9
lots and 7 are buildable. Art is also working with a young adult currently residing at Pine
Oaks Village regarding funding from the state and other sources to subsidize housing
for a group home living situation for young adults with disabilities.
The next meeting is scheduled for December 15, 2017 at 8:30 AM at the Town Offices.
Respectfully Submitted
John Preston, REOS Clerk