Eviction ban would buy Devenscrest residents time

Devenscrest Village residents facing nofault evictions could secure at least a temporary reprieve.

Last Tuesday, Ayer’s Select Board said it would re-engage its state legislative delegation and also consider a townwide eviction moratorium.

The renewed bid to find solutions came as Devenscrest residents made a second appearance before the Select Board, with former board member Cornelius “Connie” Sullivan speaking on their behalf.

On July 14 Devenscrest renters received a notice from their new landlord to vacate their homes by Sept. 30.

That notice of intent to evict was the first legal step in the eviction process, which can take months since a judge must sign off on the actual removal of tenants.

During that time, renters retain a legal right to contest the landlord’s decision.

With the likelihood of formal eviction filings drawing near, there’s an increased need for urgent action.

In recent weeks, the Devenscrest tenant’s association met with Ayer Town Manager Robert Pontbriand privately. Pontbriand had also tried to engage with the management company, Brady Sullivan Properties, without success.

Pontbriand also appeared frustrated with Ayer’s state legislative delegation over a lack of understanding regarding available funding to support residents.

“To be completely honest, in my conversation with the state senator, (he) indicated to me when I asked him what his plan was, he told me he didn’t have a plan,” Pontbriand said. “The funding issue is the purview of the state delegation, not the purview of the town and the town is supportive of the residents in this situation.”

That state senator, Acton Democrat Jamie Eldridge, offered some general advice and support to tenants at the outset of this crisis.

Along with state Reps. Sheila Harrington, R- Groton, and Dan Sena, D-Acton, the delegation apparently hasn’t found a legislative solution to this problem, an effort further complicated by the expiration of state and federal eviction moratoriums.

Two town-initiated miti

To buy it, the town would need to offer at least $11.8 million for the Devenscrest properties, the price Brady Sullivan paid earlier this year.

– Robert Pontbriand, Ayer town manager

gating measures were discussed at Tuesday’s meeting, eminent domain and a municipal eviction moratorium.

Pontbriand dismissed the eminent-domain option.

He stated the town would need to offer at least $11.8 million for the Devenscrest properties, the price Brady Sullivan paid earlier this year. He added the town would incur additional costs through land appraisals, bringing the properties up to code, temporarily rehousing tenants during repairs, and legal costs.

Those costs would be saddled on all Ayer taxpayers.

However, an eviction moratorium proposed by Sullivan elicited some support.

Assistant Town Manager Carly Antonellis said an eviction moratorium would need to be applied townwide, not just to a specific neighborhood.

Select Board member Jannice Livingston appeared open to an eviction moratorium.

Ayer wouldn’t be the first Massachusetts community to take that route.

While Devenscrest residents currently aren’t behind in rent, the practical effect of the management company’s plan to completely upgrade the property would price most out of living there.

Several residents who previously spoke to Rep. Harrington and the newspaper believe the rehabbed apartments’ rents would be double what tenants currently pay, which ranges from $875 to $950 a month.

With no other immediate solution in sight, a temporary town eviction ban would at least keep Devencrest tenants housed while exploring other options.