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On Monday, April 14, the Sudbury Finance Committee voted narrowly to oppose a Town Meeting article that would appropriate $450,000 of Community Preservation Act funds for the Sudbury Housing Authority’s (SHA) scattered-site duplex project. The project, if it goes forward, would convert four of the SHA’s existing single-family homes into duplexes. The Finance Committee vote was four in favor and 5 opposed.
The Select Board has already taken a position to oppose the article, with a similarly narrow split of two in favor and three opposed.
Deliberation featured a variety of perspectives on the issue. Member Ryan Lynch said “It’s an unconscionable sum of money to be spending on 4 additional bedrooms.” While member Andrew Bettinelli countered “I guess I’m gonna respectfully disagree with the assertion that it’s an unconscionable sum of money for what we’re getting. We’re getting 8 brand new units of housing for 4.2 million dollars.”
Member John Baranowsky raised concerns about a lack of information on the maintenance costs over time, but member Karl Fries argued “And what I was impressed with was the Sudbury Housing Authority, not only getting State State funds to support the construction, but also the vouchers that will allow them to receive market rate that will support the maintenance for these properties.”
Deliberation oscillated between the financial aspects of the project and other considerations relating to evaluation of alternative projects, the Sudbury Housing Authority’s efforts at community engagement, and opposition from neighbors to three of the four properties included in the project.
Co-chair Mike Joachim noted “And I’m violating what I’m saying, because maybe I’m going a little bit beyond finance here. But just given the environment. Given the emotions around this, I think it’s best to step back. Look at the bigger financial picture.”
In a recent meeting of the Sudbury Housing Authority, members of the board questioned if they would have enough time to review and discuss materials from their architect before Town Meeting in May. They are waiting on those materials to determine if the project should be advanced further; a decision they hoped to make before Town Meeting.
