Southampton Notebook: Housing Authority Seeks Foreclosures

To increase its housing stock, the Southampton Town Housing Authority will monitor foreclosures in hopes of securing them before the banks turn them over to a real estate office for sale.

The price at that time is very negotiable, and the banks are obligated to work with the town under the community reorganization program, said attorney and housing authority member Robin Long.

“We can revitalize distressed properties by taking the boards off the windows and return them to the tax rolls,” she said.

Bonnie Cannon, the chairwoman of the housing authority, was at the town board’s work session Friday with members of her board to present the authority’s biannual report.

Along with providing housing opportunities for mixed incomes, the authority is contracted to become self-sustaining. The $125,000 per year the authority currently receives from the town will cease after three years; after that all salaries and operating expenses must be paid for from the properties the authority manages.

And the number of those properties is growing. Along with a 36-unit residence in Hampton Bays, the authority is developing properties deeded to the town by the county after foreclosure. It also uses the town’s community development block grants to create and improve affordable housing, And the authority administers the $4 million housing choice voucher program.

Downsizing the Boards

Councilwoman Nancy Graboski presented the town board with what will be a walk-on resolution at Tuesday's board meeting to schedule public hearings on reducing the number of members of the zoning board of appeals and the planning board from seven members to five, and to increase the terms of office from four years to five.

The move is designed to cut expenses and help the board develop its 2012 budget, Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst said.

The change was proposed two years ago, but did not pass to make it into the budget.

In another proposal designed to save money, Councilwoman Bridget Fleming is asking the board to reconsider the appropriation of fees generated by the justice court and franchising of Sea-TV.

Supermajority Part II

on changing the number of votes needed — from a simple majority to a supermajority — to approve a planned development district will be held at Tuesday’s meeting. Since such a change restricts the power of board members, the change must get voter approval. In order to make it on November’s ballot, the resolution must be approved Tuesday and no later.

Landmarks Code Change

The board will vote Tuesday to go ahead with a public hearing on on Landmarks and Historic Districts and Heritage Resource Areas. The main change the public will be asked to weigh in on is an added provision that the town board will consider designating a historic district if 20 percent of the residents of the area present a petition requesting the designation. Previously, 100 percent of the residents would have to agrees. With the advice of the landmarks board, the town board will then vote on it.

How’re We Doin’?

The board met with representatives of Browne Management Systems, who were paid $35,000 last year to create a report on how to improve operations in town hall. Many of the outlined goals have been met or are currently being addressed, said Throne-Holst, with the town focusing on centralizing operations and more staff training.