The Devens Economic Analysis Team met with representatives of MassDevelopment and Trinity Financial on Aug. 24 to discuss Trinity's plans for 246 residential units at Vicksburg Square in Devens. DEAT Chairman Victor Normand explained that the team's mission is "to look at the economics of Devens with the hypothetical view of Devens becoming part of Harvard."

Normand said the team is looking at both potential tax revenue and expected municipal costs, with education being the largest anticipated cost to the town.

To better estimate those education costs, DEAT members looked at the demographics of three affordable housing complexes in the Leominster area. According to the team, those figures suggested that the Vicksburg Square development might become home to more school-age children than Trinity had initially projected. The team invited Trinity to respond to those concerns at this meeting.

James Keefe, president of Trinity Financial, called the team's findings "highly speculative." He noted that only 50 to 55 of the proposed housing units fall within Harvard's jurisdiction. While Normand had referred to a hope of keeping the Devens residential community intact, Keefe said that he had never heard of any such intention. He said that he expected the residential units to be divided among different towns.

Keefe pointed out that declining enrollments meant that all adjacent towns had, or would soon have, excess capacity in their schools.

Keefe repeatedly stressed Harvard's vulnerability to 40B housing developments.

"This town has a significant 40B liability," he said. "Market forces will lead to these units being created...Look at what you could face under that scenario. It would be a far greater liability than this project."

"The need for affordable housing is not what we are talking about," Normand responded. "Making Harvard bullet-proof for 40B—is that your strongest argument?"

The Vicksburg Square development, as described in Trinity's proposal, would include 168 family units and 78 units for the elderly, with 80 percent of the units designated as affordable housing, and 20 percent as market rate. Keefe said veterans would have preference for all units. He pointed out that the plan will preserve the historic brick structures, which are currently deteriorating, and will provide a boost to the area's small businesses.

"We're not the kind of developers who tell people what they want to hear and then six months down the road do something different," Keefe said.

At least two more public meetings on the issue are required by law. The proposed Vicksburg Square development requires a change to the Devens re-use plan, adopted in 1996, as well as changes in zoning laws.

The Devens Economic Analysis Team was scheduled to meet again Wednesday, Aug. 31, after this newspaper went to press.

—Harvard Press staff report