Town Meeting votes down Affordable Housing seat on CPC

The Affordable Housing Trust’s attempt to gain a seat on the Community Preservation Committee was defeated at Town Meeting Monday, despite the Trust’s argument that the CPC does not have adequate representation for housing need on its committee.

The bid failed at a vote of 91-101 after an hour of back-and-forth. CPC supporters contended that affordable housing is adequately represented on the board by Jim Gallagher, who is appointed by the Grafton Housing Authority, and questioned why the Trust had been slow to spend the $1 million in funding allocated to it over the past few years.

“I seriously doubt there is one person in this building tonight that is against affordable housing,” Scott Rossiter argued.

The Community Preservation Act, established in 2000, allows communities to create a local Community Preservation Fund for open space protection, historic preservation, affordable housing and outdoor recreation. Community preservation monies are raised through a surcharge of not more than 3 percent of the tax levy against real property.

Trust member Eric Swenson noted that the entire board was turned over since 2020, with members now taking a more pro-active approach. Most recently, it worked with GSX Ventures, which is developing the former DPW site on Upton Street, to increase the amount of affordable units in its mixed retail-residential plan. That effort took a considerable chunk out of its account.

And the need is only increasing, he added. Massachusetts is in a housing crisis and the average price for homes sold in Grafton is now at about $500,000 — far from affordable for town employees such as teachers.

“The phrase ‘this isn’t necessary’ has no place in this conversation,” Swenson said.

CPC member Paul Scarlett said the at-large seats appointed by the Select Board are a way for “average citizens” to join the committee, and suggested AHT members could seek appointment that way. He added that the CPC should meet regularly with the Trust.

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