Easthampton Mayor Michael A. Tautznik honored as housing hero by Massachusetts Housing Partnership.
Easthampton Mayor Michael A. Tautznik in his office. He was honored as a Housing Hero by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership. EASTHAMPTON – The Massachusetts Housing Partnership has honored Mayor Michael A. Tautznik with its Housing Hero award for his work increasing the supply of affordable housing.
Nancy Tavernier, an Acton volunteer, and David Hedison of the Chelmsford Housing Authority were also honored at the Massachusetts Housing Partnership's seventh annual Housing Institute in June.
“I'm proud that our work in Easthampton has been recognized. I believe it is in the best interest of every community to work toward housing stability for all of its' residents,” the mayor wrote in an email.
“I'm committed to maintaining one of the characteristics' (affordability) that makes Easthampton such an attractive place to live. I'm happy to have been recognized by the men and women who work in the affordable housing arena (local officials, state and regional agencies, non-profits and developers.) I'm also grateful to the local volunteers who serve on our Housing Partnership committee. It's truly their work that has enabled our success.”
According to a housing partnership press release, Tautznik was honored for “unwavering support of affordable housing even in the face of local opposition.” Tautznik received a legislative citation from state Sen. Michael Knapik, R-Westfield.
Tautznik continued to support the 38-unit Parsons Village housing project that some in the city opposed. The Zoning Board of Appeals in September of 2012 approved a Comprehensive Permit for the project after the Planning Board had rejected it the year before. The project is expected to be built next year.
"Housing is an essential building block to a good society, and a key ingredient to having a successful life and not being a drain on society," Tautznik said at the event, according to a press release.
Aaron Gornstein, undersecretary for the state Department of Housing and Community Development, in his remarks cited the mayor’s support for the 50 affordable housing units at the former Dye Works building in the pipeline and the Parsons project.
“Most people support affordable housing in theory but when a development is proposed, that’s when you find out who the true believers are. This is especially true when your job depends on votes. In Easthampton, Mayor Michael Tautznik has shown over and over again that he truly believes in affordable housing.”