Article courtesy of The Falmouth Enterprise
Volume 122 Number 42 Friday, September 7, 2012
By BRENT RUNYON
Falmouth Town Planner Brian A. Currie announced yesterday that the town will award two affordable housing projects, conversion of the Odd Fellows Hall into apartments and housing at St. Marks Road, to the Falmouth Housing Trust. Odd Fellows Hall, the historic property in Town Hall Square, will be restored and renovated into four affordable rental units. The St. Marks project on Teaticket Highway is a vacant lot and will be developed into three new single-family homes for sale to qualified buyers. “I think it may have been a long time in coming, but it was worth taking the time to do it right,” Mr. Currie said. The paperwork was still being finalized as of yesterday afternoon, but was expected to be complete by this morning or Monday at the latest. “When it rains it pours,” said Falmouth Housing Trust executive director Anne C. Saganic, who plans to develop both properties as Chapter 40B affordable housing projects. “We’re very excited. It’s been a long haul.” It has been over a year since Falmouth Town Meeting approved the conversion of the Odd Fellows into affordable rentals. The housing trust plans to build four one-bedroom apartments at Odd Fellows Hall that would be rented for about $850 a month, including utilities. Eligible tenants must earn 80 percent of the average median income or below, Ms. Saganic said. Two units would be on the first floor and two on the second. Of the two projects, the Odd Fellows Hall project is more complicated, Mr. Currie said. “You’re dealing with a building that is 150 years old that is going to require extensive renovations,” he said. “It’s really something that’s not their forte, quite frankly.” From a planning perspective, Mr. Currie said, it might have been better to put a commercial property on the first floor and rental apartments on the second floor. “But Town Meeting wanted to have purely affordable housing, and that’s fine,” Mr. Currie said. “From a planning perspective, it’s fine.” Ms. Saganic said because Odd Fellows Hall is a more complicated project, that will be the priority. The building was built in 1856 and first served as the Village School. Among the students who attended the school was Katharine Lee Bates, author of “America the Beautiful.” Over time, the building underwent significant changes. In 1906, it was moved to its current location on Chancery Lane, turned 90 degrees, and its steeple was removed. At the time a portico and four pillars were added. The town purchased the property in 2004 for $330,000. Since that time the property has remained vacant and unused. In 2011, Town Meeting voted to sell the property for a minimum of $10 with the requirement it be redeveloped for community housing. The St. Marks Road parcel at 761 Teaticket Highway was taken by the town in 1981 because the previous owner failed to pay taxes. Falmouth Town Meeting approved the development of affordable housing in April 2010. The land will be developed into three single-family homes: two Cape-style homes and one ranch, Ms. Saganic said. Falmouth Housing Trust specializes in building single-family homes and selling them as affordable housing to qualified buyers.
Stephanie McDowell is a CPA based in Falmouth with over 30 years of accounting and tax experience. She serves individuals and small businesses, with a specialization in Construction clients. She also works extensively with estate and trust taxation.
Thomas Zine
Brendan Crane is Vice President of Crane Appliance, a family-owned appliance company serving Cape Cod and the Islands for more than 40 years. Prior to joining the family business, Brendan built a career in entertainment and media, specializing in non-fiction storytelling and creative strategy with a strong focus on nonprofit partnerships and social impact projects. He brings a creative, community-focused perspective to both business and civic involvement in Falmouth.
Lori Andrews has held a variety of leadership roles in HR, finance, audit and IT during a 40+ year career in financial services-insurance, public accounting and government. Lori retired from Liberty Mutual in 2021 as Senior Vice President and Manager of Global Total Rewards. In that role, ensuring more than 45,000 employees receive fair and competitive compensation and benefits worldwide. Lori has served on the Partners for Youth with Disabilities Board of Directors since 2020.
Maro Titus has a deep connection to the Falmouth Community that dates back to her childhood, shaping her passion for the area. Leveraging her successful career in healthcare administration, Maro has transitioned her expertise to Kinlin Grover Compass Real Estate. As a dedicated agent, she strives to understand each client’s unique needs, bringing a wealth of marketing knowledge and enthusiasm to the real estate practice. With a background in executive leadership encompassing strategic planning, government affairs, and business development, Maro’s professional journey is marked by a commitment to excellence.
Sudie Gifford comes to our board with an extremely varied background in arts, education, finance, public relations, and charity work.
Ed Monteiro was President of the Board of Directors of Falmouth Housing Trust in the ‘90’s, and we are thrilled that he is back.
David Sutkowy has lived in Falmouth since 2020.
Tammy Rausch is an experienced operations and business transformation leader with a background in financial services, global operations, and strategic planning. Tammy has held leadership roles at companies including Fidelity Investments and State Street Bank & Trust, where she led large teams, improved operational processes, and managed global client relationships. Tammy is also active in community volunteering, supporting local organizations including Make a Wish, Hand in Hand Thrift Shop, and Next Chapter Book Club.
Joan Bates has lived in Falmouth with her husband, Robert, since 2002. Prior to that, the couple lived in Newton. Joan’s 25-year professional career was in special education and nonprofit management.
Joanne O’Sullivan is a real estate attorney who has been practicing law in Falmouth since 1995. She is a self-described “wash-ashore” living on Cape Cod for 30 plus years. Joanne grew up in South Boston, and graduated from the University of Chicago and Boston College Law School. Attorney O’Sullivan has primarily been a sole practitioner for the past 20 years. She is married with 2 adult children who live out of state for job opportunities. Ms. O’Sullivan joined the FHT Board of Directors in 2009 and has served in various capacities, currently as vice president.
Director, Addie Drolette, is a Falmouth native and makes her home in East Falmouth. Most of Addie’s professional career has been spent serving the mortgage financing needs of the community of Falmouth. She is presently a Senior Residential Loan Officer with Martha’s Vineyard Bank.