Blackstone voters OK project land use change

Approval could clear path for proposed veterans community

BLACKSTONE – After a spirited debate that lasted less than an hour, Special Town Meeting voters Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a land use change that could pave the way for a permanent housing cooperative here for homeless veterans.

The single article on the warrant asked voters to approve a change of use for a portion of Veterans Park - a large expanse of vacant land on Elm Street that has been sitting idle since 1997. The article, which required a two-thirds majority vote, passed 123 to 27.

Approval of the article is an important first step to allow the property to be developed for low- to moderateincome housing for veterans, which could take the form of a permanent housing cooperative constructed by Soldier On, a private non-profit organization that helps veterans reestablish their lives through housing and other services. The group has been meeting with town officials in recent months in hopes of building its fourth Massachusetts housing location in Blackstone.

The Veterans Park land was purchased by the town years ago as a public water supply. While a portion of that property is restricted for that use, the remainder of the property has been vacant.

Now that the land use change has been approved, the selectmen have the authority to enter into a property transfer agreement or long-term lease agreement with a potential developer, which may or may not be Soldier On. The board will now draft a request for proposals under Chapter 30B, the state’s uniform procurement act, to solicit bids.

A handful of voters last night said that while they support veterans, they are concerned that the town is rushing into a partnership with Soldier On, which is proposing a 75- to 150-unit housing project similar to its 71-bed transitional living facility in Pittsfield, Mass, where veterans own their own onebedroom and loft-style apartments, in a community with other veterans. The Blackstone project would be built by Soldier On, which would pay property taxes to the town. As part of the deal, Soldier On will build for the town a soccer and softball field on site.

“A large percentage of these homeless veterans are likely to have substance abuse and mental illness problems,” said resident Anita Robinson. “I’m in support of veterans, but many of us have questions and are fearful of jumping into this without more information.”

“I’m 100 percent for helping veterans, but how many of you (on the Board of Selectmen) have young children?” asked another resident. “Our young children will be playing on fields next to homes where there could be people with drug and mental health issues.”

Speaking in favor of a potential partnership with Soldier On, resident Kevin Hart said last night’s vote was a chance for residents to help veterans.

“We have an opportunity to give our vets comfort and peace. We owe them and should be there to help them,” he said.

“This is an opportunity fund something we can’t afford – athletic fields for our children – and to do something good for our veterans,” said Finance Committee member John Wozniak.”

Selectman Daniel Keefe addressed voters, saying he had the same questions and concerns.

“My first concern was how this will affect our children and community and I can say that after having visited their facility in Pittsfield, all my questions were answered. If we don’t pass this article tonight this will be ours to lose.”

Town Administrator Daniel M. Keyes said there will public hearings and opportunities for residents to ask questions after the bids come in a contract awarded, whether its to Soldier on or some other developer.

“This (land use change) is the initial step in the effort to fulfill a concept the town has now,” he said.

If the town does eventually partner with Soldier On, the town would break ground on the project in the spring. The conceptual plan with Soldier On is to build the athletic fields first, which would be completed by the fall of 2016. The housing would be built around that in increments over a period of two to three years.

The Blackstone facility will be modeled after the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community, a housing model that is being repli- cated nationally by Soldier On. That facility was built at a cost of $6.1 million with a combination of federal, local, and private foundation money and is subsidized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Human Development and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The veterans pay anywhere between $580 and $682 for rent. They also pay $2,500 to buy a limited-equity ownership in the development, which allows them to share in the success and maintenance of the community mutually.

If a veteran is unable to cover this down-payment, local banks will give them loans at no interest, or they will give outright donations to Soldier On. If they move, Soldier On will buy back their share for $2,500.

Blackstone officials say an added benefit of having a similar facility in Blackstone is that it will help the town meet the state’s requirement that it have at least 10 percent of year-round housing stock qualify as “affordable.” The state defines that as within reach of a household earning less than 80 percent of the area median income.