By Melanie Petrucci, Contributing Writer
Tim Firment, executive director of Habitat for Humanity MetroWest, speaks to the Northborough Board of Selectmen June 26. Photo/Melanie Petrucci
Northborough – Rick Leif, treasurer of the Northborough Affordable Housing Corporation (NAHC), accompanied by Tim Firment, executive director of Habitat for Humanity MetroWest, presented an update on the projects located at 33-35 and 37-39 Main St. to the Board of Selectmen at their June 26 meeting.
Leif provided a brief background of how they arrived at where they presently are with regard to the projects. Town Meeting in 2015 approved the formation of NAHC with a $500,000 grant for future affordable housing development.
Leif reported, “In the fall of that year, Trinity Church came to the housing corporation and asked if they would have any interest in buying the two properties located between 33and 39 Main St. for the purpose of developing them for affordable housing and also to preserve the exterior appearance of those houses from the street because they have historic value, especially the larger house which was the old Gale General Store.”
Firment was called to look at the structures with structural engineers to determine if they were appropriate for renovation as Habitat housing. The assessed value was well over the asking price and they then went before the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) in January of 2016 to ask for $400,000 for these properties.
Estimated total cost of purchase and renovations would be $800,000. Purchase costs were $300,000 and the remaining would go toward renovations. The town would cover half of the costs with funds from the Community Preservation Act through the CPC and Habitat for Humanity would cover the rest through in-kind donations and other fundraising.
Lief made mention of historical artifacts such as bill of sales and other documents from the old Gale General Store, dating as far back as 1812, which were found behind walls in the demolition process. They were surprisingly well-preserved and have been turned over to the Historical Society.
Firment updated the board on construction progress. First, students from Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School have done a great deal of the work on the smaller home from abatement issues to installing windows. Half of the electrical and plumbing is complete.
The larger house was more concerning with a great deal of rotting and structural issues in addition to abatement needs. Because the issues are more complex with this building the students from Assabet are not as involved.
Completion is expected for spring of 2018 for the smaller building. Once the smaller home is completed then the students can move over and help complete the electrical and plumbing of the larger building.
“We’ve had a number of local builders and vendors,” Firment said. “There has been about $60,000-$70,000 of in-kind contributions and that’s how we work. From a community effort, everybody is engaged.”
Family selection took place in March which was done by lottery. Out of the four, three will be coming from Northborough and one from Framingham. The selected families then become involved with construction and are assigned local mentors.
Selectman William Pantazis said, “I think it’s important for the families to invest some sweat equity and it’s great to have Assabet involved.”