Wayland housing trust approves $7,500 repair grant, signs off on FY23 audit

WAYLAND -- July 11, 2023, Wayland's Municipal Affordable Housing Trust approves a $7,500 home repair grant and readies for August modular bids. The trust voted 5-0 on July 11 to fund homeowner Maria Penendo's repair grant, declining to pay the Wayland Housing Authority a $395 income-verification fee after Chair Michael Staiti said submitted tax returns and bank statements already showed she "met all the requirements." Members agreed future applications will route first to Staiti and Laura Kaplan rather than the full board, after Vice Chair Jacqueline Espiritusanto-Vega pressed for uniform procedures: "We should have our paper in super great order." The trust separately authorized Staiti to sign an FY23 audit engagement letter capped at $4,000, down from an initial $5,000 quote, and reported that bids on its modular affordable home RFP are due July 23, with one modular builder already touring the site. A follow-up meeting was set for Aug. 1.