SWAMPSCOTT — The Housing Authority met on Tuesday evening to discuss potential redevelopments to the former Lally’s Garage property on 40 Essex Street.
During the initial discussion, it was noted the board arrived at a point where it needed to start setting up bylaws and apply for nonprofit status to receive funding from the state.
Board Chair Charlie Patsios spoke before the board, where he elaborated on the background of the matter. “Lally’s garage, that property is on Essex street in Swampscott, it absolutely abuts the Swampscott housing property, the family units on Cherry Street,” Patsios said. “There could never be a better positioned parcel of land for the addition of the Housing Authority inventory that exists.”
Patsios said that he indicated that the Housing Authority is not in a position to offer a contractually-binding agreement, but that it would be willing to enter a non-binding agreement to allow the board the opportunity to study the parcel over a period of several months. “We’d be able to get input from the state and other interested parties that would be willing to help us, on a non-binding basis,” he said.
“They would obligate themselves to us, and we would obligate ourselves to act in good faith, but again, there’s no contractual monetary obligation,” Patsios added.
Patsios said he would be meeting with the current owners of the garage and will bring another board member along. From there, they can begin to enter discussions on a possible estimated cost.
“We just want to be able to have a vehicle to look at and understand what could potentially exist,” he said.
Patsios noted environmental studies have been done, but he has not yet seen them. Environmental studies on the parcel were done prior to land being sold to the current owners, according to Patsios.
“In order for us to spend our time wisely, we need an obligation from the owner saying we can go ahead,” he said.
The motion was made to enter into future discussions on the matter, and it passed unanimously.
