Grant Projects List Discussed

Review began last week of the projects submitted to receive funding from Waterville’s New York Forward grant.

Members of the local committee met Thursday night to hear the first public detailed look at the applications.

Projects were lightly evaluated, but no decisions were made.

The group will look at a number of factors, including the project’s timeline, owner capacity for funding and whether it hits goals such as adding housing.

The chosen projects, which will be more than the $4.5 million provided by the grant, will go to the state in November for final selection.

Projects were numbered and reviewed in this order: 1. 440 Tower St., six townhouses.

These will be used for long-term rentals and short stays, such as Airbnb.

The cost will be $3.7 million, and the developer is asking for $2.3 million of the grant.

Local Planning Committee members discussed how short-term rentals do not address the need for permanent housing in the Village and can change the character of a community. ...