The following was taken from an interview on Boylston’s cable channel 11 with Howard Drobner Chair of Local Project Committee for the Boylston Habitat for Humanity build.
Howard Drobner,
Chair of Local Project Committee for the Boylston Habitat for Humanity build.
1 You do some traveling for your company. How are you able to juggle your trips and manage your position as Chair of Local Planning for Habitat for Humanity?
HND – I have some flexibility in my travel for my job. And Sue Olsen and I are able to backup each other as needed to cover meetings related to Habitat for Humanity.
2 Describe more about your position and skills for the Habitat for Humanity project.
The role as chairperson for the Boylston Habitat for Humanity project has many similar characteristics that I face in my job as an implementation project manager. One of the biggest differences here is our Habitat for Humanity project is a community volunteer effort and one needs to recognize and thank people for their work and support in whatever means they are able to contribute.
3. There are always major expenses for a large undertaking such as building a house. Talk about some of the major expenses including consultant fees, ground clearing, electricians, plumbers, cementers, etc.
As with any house construction on an empty lot – we have engineering work that has to be done to address all of the required State and local boards.
1) Engineering site work has been completed to show the locations of the house, septic system, wet land areas, areas being cleared, driveways.
2) We have made great progress in these areas with the assistance and support of many people
3) We have gone before the Boylston Conservation Commission and have received their approval (called an “order of conditions”).
4) We have submitted our application to the State Agency “DHCD – Department of Housing & Community Development”. This application is for approval from the State for something called “LIP” – Local Initiative Project – which will allow the Town to count our 2 units that we will build to the Towns count of affordable housing.
And we have just received the approval letter from the State on this.
5) Our next steps for board approvals –
- a. Board of Health for our septic system design
- b. Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to address 2 items with the existing lot.
6) We have been fortune to have many of the trade’s people in the area to have already stepped forward and volunteer their assistance for this project. Their In-kind donations will go a long way to the success of this project.
4. What are some of the rewarding achievements for you so far in the Boylston Habitat for Humanity project?
Meeting and establishing friendships and working relationships with a large group of like minded people that all want to make this effort a success.
Our successes so far with the normal permitting process.
Having the support of Town officials for this project.
5. Closing statements
A big thank you to everyone that has helped us so far with our Habitat for Humanity project.
Your support and continued involvement will be needed to allow us to continue to move forward.
And my estimate for when we can break ground on the site is late June, early July.
