Select Board backs several housing steps: endorses LIP at Pheasant Lane, tables decision on 545 Main funding, backs brownfields grant support and approves FHA's

The Select Board addressed multiple housing agenda items in a meeting that ranged from single‑home LIP endorsement to a high‑stakes funding question for a larger downtown site.

Falmouth Housing Trust (Laura Moynihan, speaker 25) asked for and received the board’s endorsement of a Local Initiative Program (LIP) application to construct one three‑bedroom house at 21 Pheasant Lane, to be sold to a buyer at or below 80% of area median income with a proposed sale price of $285,000. The board voted to send the endorsement to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

On a separate matter, staff reported that the purchase and sale agreement that underpinned a prior conditional $3.4 million award from the Falmouth Affordable Housing Fund (for the Bushwood 545 project at 545 Main Street) had expired, and that the property owner has entered into a purchase and sale with another applicant. Staff recommended rescinding the award so funds could be reallocated; several board members urged more time to confirm facts and to explore whether compensation or other remedies could preserve the original project. The board voted to table the rescind decision to the May 18 meeting.

Falmouth Housing Corporation then sought a town letter supporting an EPA brownfields assessment/abatement grant for asbestos survey and abatement (deadline guidance in the packet). After discussion the board approved a letter of support that the town manager will reword to make clear the letter supports submission of the grant application and does not bind the Select Board to future project approvals.

Finally, Bobby Richards, executive director of the Falmouth Housing Authority, presented the authority’s consolidated annual contributions (ACC) amendment and five‑year capital plan; the Select Board approved the ACC amendment and authorized the chair to execute the contract amendment required for federal capital disbursements.

Board members discussed broader housing policy questions, including the distinct roles of rental versus ownership in meeting local housing production goals and the timeliness of reassigning grant funds.