Housing department seeks new rental property manager as town portfolio grows

Christy, the town's housing director, asked the finance committee for an additional rental property manager to supplement current staffing and handle municipal employee housing operations. "We now have 44 properties and now two seasonal dorms," Christy said, citing growth since the town began renting properties in 2023.

Christy described two operating EIRs: an increased line for employee housing leases used for year-round staff rentals and higher maintenance and utilities for a newly completed year-round housing unit (19 Week Drive). She said professional services cover property evaluation, engineering and due diligence; legal costs previously included in the professional-services line were about $41,000 and have been separated.

Board members asked whether the new rental property manager cost would be shared; a town presenter said the Affordable Housing Trust will cover half the full cost, so the general-fund impact will be reduced. Committee members probed how maintenance work is performed; Christy said the department uses a mix of DPW support and outside contractors, and recently issued an RFQ for a caretaking/caretaker contract.

The committee did not take a formal vote on this request in the session; the item remains before the finance committee and will be included for further review before budget adoption.