During its February 3 meeting, the Granby Board of Selectmen approved the selection of 7 Summits/New Samaritan Realty as the developer for the Kearns School property. This decision came after much deliberation after the presentations given at the January 13 meeting. It was also the group chosen by the Commission on Aging.
When polled individually, First Selectman Mark Fiorentino said he was glad that we had local developers from which to choose and favors 7 Summits/New Samaritan Realty. Peggy Chapple appreciated the informative presentations given by the developers and favors 7 Summits/New Samaritan Realty. Although Fred Moffa would have preferred to keep the Kearns footprint, he thinks that 7 Summits/New Samaritan Realty seems to be more flexible. He noted that its partial reliance on state grants might not work out well in the current financial climate, however. Mark Neumann favors 7 Summits/New Samaritan Realty, as does Kelly Rome, who hopes to keep the units mainly for senior and affordable housing, not so much for work-force pricing.
The Commission on Aging presented a list of issues it hopes to see addressed as meetings begin with the town and the developer. As far as the actual Kearns property, the commission hopes that the people of Granby, not the developer, get to decide what enhancements might be made there in addition to the building(s.) It is also against the possibility of a three-story building, because if evacuation were necessary, seniors and handicap persons located on a third floor would find it difficult.
The commission asked if the units will be available to out-of-town residents as well as Granby people and wondered if there would be a housing authority to which residents could bring issues that may come up. They also suggested visiting 7 Summits/New Samaritan Realty’s completed sites to see first-hand the layouts and to ascertain if the residents are happy there.
Town Manager Mike Walsh reminded everyone that while the presentations were helpful in selecting the preferred developer, the details of any development agreement are a “blank slate” and must conform closely to the input of the Board of Selectmen and the Commission on Aging or no agreement will be executed.
Walsh noted, “In order for this development to work for the town and developer, the financial feasibility must work for both sides. While the town will have a variety of demands to negotiate toward, in the end, the viability of the project will depend on a reasonable balance of cost, amenities and curb appeal.”