ATHOL — At a time when good news sometimes seems to be in short supply, Carolyn Read, executive director of Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts, provided a little welcome news during a recent video meeting of the Athol Selectboard. Read discussed the organization’s plans for building a home on Old Keene Road.
“I’m really happy to be building in Athol,” she said. “As you know, this will be our first time building in your town.
“We were gifted this property on Old Keene Road about two years ago. We’re planning to build a three-bedroom, bath and a half, single-story ranch-style home with no garage. It’s designed to be fully accessible. And, if the homeowner who is selected requires it to be accessible, we will have a ramp. It’s about 1,200 square feet, so it will be a modest home.”
Read added that Habitat is working on updating the septic system on the property.
“We have to do a couple more test pits,” she explained, “then we’re going to have our engineer re-draw the plans because the previous engineers are no longer in business. And I believe we need to go before the Conservation Commission because there are wetlands nearby.”
Read added the organization hopes to begin construction some time this summer.
She said plans call for Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School students to assist with the Athol project. Read said Habitat is currently building two similar homes along Lake Shore Drive in Ashburnham with the help of Monty Tech students.
With the governor’s order closing schools through June, the students wouldn’t be able to join the project until September.
Read said Habitat might have to count on volunteers in the meantime.
There are currently about 200 people on a list who have expressed interest in purchasing a home, according to Read. Habitat, she added, has put together a marketing plan approved by the state Department of Housing and Community Development, with plans to advertise the home so anyone interested in the home on Old Keene Road can submit an application.
Read explained there are three criteria for anyone chosen.
“They have to earn 60 percent or less of the area’s median income, they have to have the need, and they have to be a first-time homebuyer,” Read said. “So, they have to be living somewhere that doesn’t meet their needs — it could be size, safety, security, affordability. And there must be a willingness to partner; so, they need to help to build the house, and they put in 200 to 350 hours helping to build the house.”
“Thank you for coming to Athol,” said board Chair Rebecca Bialecki, “and I think it’s really exciting that you’ll be partnering with Monty Tech students.”
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com