Town Planner Cassandra Thayer informed the Affordable Housing Trust on Wednesday that Cohasset’s Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) currently stands at 337 units, representing 10.38% of the town's year-round housing. While this figure keeps the town above the state-mandated 10% threshold, progress on several properties remains entangled in legal and administrative delays. Thayer noted that while 14 rental units at One Pleasant Street are pending state approval, a more complicated situation has emerged at 147 South Main Street.

Thayer reported that a proposed foreclosure at 147 South Main Street is currently paused while the state reviews the property’s paperwork. This drew sharp questioning from Member Gene Pesci, who asked, What's the hold up on having that declared by the existing owner? That thing has been going on forever. The original owner committed the units. Thayer explained that the state has not yet approved the regulatory agreement, a process further complicated by construction timelines. The state had not approved the regulatory agreement yet. It is a long process. Part of that was due to construction, Thayer said.

The status of the South Main property raised further concerns regarding possible unauthorized occupancy. Select Board Representative Paul Grady noted, Because there's people living there, right? I go by there, I always think I see cars. I thought they had sold some units. Thayer clarified that the property does not currently have occupancy permits. Chair Ted Carr expressed frustration over the stagnation of the nearly complete project. It's an interesting property. Fundamentally built, other than probably some finishing work and landscape work. I don't know what to do about it, all of a sudden it's terrible when it's almost finished, Carr said.

Financial business for the evening included the authorization of two outstanding invoices. Member Cindy Matheison questioned a $225 legal bill from MHTL that referenced a "Heather Drive RFP," noting it seemed like a long time ago. Thayer explained that the Trust had previously directed counsel to use that specific request for proposals as a template for the upcoming Mill Lane project, which Matheison agreed makes complete sense. The Trust moved to settle that bill along with a $1,786.51 invoice from Holy P Plumbing and Heating. Motion Made by C. Matheison to approve the bills for Holy P Plumbing and Heating and MHTL. Motion Passed 5-0 (Grady-Yes, Matheison-Yes, Henry-Yes, Pesci-Yes, Carr-Yes).

A planned executive session to hammer out pricing and strategy for Mill Lane was deferred until May. Thayer informed the board that Town Counsel was unable to attend due to illness, and since no members of the public were present to comment, the board focused on the attorney's availability. The delay sparked a discussion on professional reliability, with Paul Grady suggesting the town request an associate to be available for such absences. I think Caris seems to miss a lot of meetings. Does she have an associate that could also be here? I don't look at this as much as a priority for her, Grady said. While Matheison defended the attorney’s contributions, stating she is incredibly beneficial when she is here, Chair Carr offered to personally intervene. Would it be okay with everybody if I maybe gave her a call and just talked to her? I'll just give her a buzz, Carr said, signaling his intent to discuss the Trust's timeline and the consultant's dedication to its projects.