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Home My WebLink About03-23-2004 Public Hearing TOWN OF GROTON – PUBLIC HEARING 2004 SMALL CITIES PROGRAM TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2004, 7:00PM AT THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD Those present: Glenn E. Morey, Supervisor Donald F. Scheffler, Councilman Richard B. Gamel, Councilman Absent: Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman Sheldon C. Clark, Councilman Also present: Stacey Crawford, Duane Randall, Mary Gloster, April Scheffler Supervisor Morey opened the Public Hearing at 7:00 PM. The Town Clerk read the Public Notice, which was duly published in the Town’s legal paper, the Groton Independent, on March 17, 2004. Duane Randall, Construction Coordinator for Better Housing for Tompkins County – The Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) is a federal program that provides funding for housing and community development. In 1974, Congress passed the Housing and Community Development Act, Title I, which authorized the development of the CDBG Program. In 2000, the Governor’s Office for Small Cities (GOSC) of New York State assumed responsibility for the Small Cities component of the CDBG Program. The primary objective of the CDBG program is the development of viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income (LMI). Consistent with this objective, communities may apply for “Single Purpose” projects in one of the following areas: Housing Rehabilitation, Direct Homeownership, New Construction of Housing, Public Facilities, Micro-enterprise, Economic Development. Communities may also apply for “comprehensive” programs that combine two or more of these activities in a coordinated manner. Activities must have a 70% benefit to low income persons and in order to be competitive must fully address State rating criteria. A single-purpose grant may provide funds for one of the above purposes, consisting of an activity or set of activities and designed to meet a specific community development need. A comprehensive program must involve two or more related activities which address a substantial Town Board Public Hearing Page 2 March 23, 2004 community development need within a defined are or areas to be carried out in a coordinated manner. Approximately $52 million of CDBG funds are available for Program Year 2004. The State intends to allocate these funds to eligible applicants according to the following approximate allocations: Annual round competition involving the funding categories of housing, public facilities and micro-enterprise – 60%; economic development, disbursed throughout the year on a non-competitive open round basis – 35%; state administration, technical assistance and urgent need projects – 5%. Maximum grant amounts for housing and public facilities: towns, cities or villages - $400,000; joint applications - $600,000 for public facilities or $400,000 for housing; counties - $600,000; micro-enterprise grants - $400,000; comprehensive grants - $650,000. For the program year 2004, New York State’s CDBG Small Cities Program is divided into two separate components: the Annual Competitive Round and the Open Round for Economic Development Grants. Applications are due no later than April 5, 2004. The Town of Groton applied for and received Small Cities Grants in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 2001 to undertake non-targeted housing rehabilitation. To date, these very successful programs have upgraded 81 substandard structures in all areas of the Town. The programs were delivered by Better Housing for Tompkins County, Inc. Mary Gloster, from the Town of Groton Comprehensive Plan Committee submitted information collected by the Town Wide Survey that related housing: 18% of households responded to survey 56% female, 44% male 48% were between the ages of 45-64 43% lived in Groton over 30 years Question – What would you change in Groton? rd The need to rehabilitate commercial properties ranked 3 . th The need to rehabilitate residential properties ranked 5 . 94% owned their own home (2000 Census shows 76% of dwellings are owner-occupied so this indicates that renters are under-represented in responses to this survey.) 92% lived in single-family households. 87% were satisfied with their dwelling. Those that were dissatisfied: 60% would like a newer home 32% larger lot 23% larger home 20% smaller home 12% would rather not rent 65% said tax rate was of essential importance. 47% rated housing as important Protecting farmland was listed as essential. Town Board Public Hearing Page 3 March 23, 2004 Question – What do you love about Groton? Number 1 answer – It’s a friendly community. Question – What would you change about Groton? th Rehabilitate run-down residential property was the 6 rated answer. There being no further comments, Councilman Scheffler made a motion to adjourn the Public Hearing, seconded by Councilman Gamel, at 8:20 PM. Unanimous. April L. Scheffler Town Clerk