Housing Trust Hears Outlook For Franklin Ridge Sr. Housing

Above, John Juhl reporting to the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust

The Municipal Affordable Housing Trust met Tuesday morning at 10 AM, virtually. Since a few members were absent, there was no quorum. However, as scheduled, the members present heard an update from Jonathan Juhl, JNJuhl & Associates on the Franklin Ridge Senior Housing project [proposed for an area off of Panther Way, near the high school].

Juhl summarized activities and processes to date including the recently completed plans for the final booster pumping station plans from CDM Smith. “So, we now have a completed set of plans and specifications,” Juhl noted. Previously a 90 percent plan had been submitted to MassWorks but now the 100 percent plan can be submitted, which should help with the application for support.

Juhl said he had continued to have positive conversations with the deputy director of the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development. “The bottom line is that she was very appreciative in terms of the effort the town has put in,” he said. However, he noted, much of project funding will be coming from the private housing side where there is a lot of competition

Juhl said the project did not make the cut in the June round, partly because the booster station drawings were not complete at that point. Now, he said, he is preparing for the next round, which has a deadline of January 20. “I am really encouraged by the fact that all this work if really getting noticed,” he added.

The infrastructure for the project is expected to cost north of $3 million. And, among other options for contributing to the project, the town may be able to apply some $280,000 of federal ARPA money. Politically, he noted, Senators Warren and Markey have indicated they support the project.

As the discussion became more free flowing among those present, the complexities and uncertainties, with so many funders – were noted, as was the potentially devastating impact of inflation as planned prices may have to be reworked over the coming years.