Sue Repko

POTTSTOWN PA – Pottstown native and author Sue Repko, a St. Pius X High School grad who reported extensively during October 2010 for her Positively Pottstown blog on the park and trail system in Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township, has been named as the first executive director of the MOASIC Community Land Trust in Pottstown, trust President David Jackson announced Friday (Feb. 3, 2012). She officially began her duties there Wednesday (Feb. 1).

Repko, Jackson, Sanatoga-based attorney David Garner, and Montgomery County commercial property assessor Chris Huff all are founding members of the trust, which intends to buy properties and buildings in Pottstown, rehabilitate them, and sell or lease them at affordable rates. The trust retains ownership of the land beneath properties it sells, lowering costs for homeowners who also become trust members, Jackson explained.

“We’re very excited to have Sue leading us during this early phase of the land trust. She brings a wealth of experience in the nonprofit world and in the development of affordable housing,” Jackson said. “Through her blog, Positively Pottstown, and other activities over the past two years, Sue has brought people together to make connections and get things done. That’s the spirit of the (trust) as well. It’s a good fit,” he added.

Repko holds a masters’ degree in urban planning from Rutgers University, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. While living in New Jersey, she worked for the Section 8 federal housing program, municipal and state government, and in a private planning firm. She also served on a local planning board and the boards of a Montessori pre-school and an autism non-profit.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with such a great group of people at MOSAIC, who are creative and passionate about making things better,” Repko said. “Plus, I got my start in affordable housing and community development, and I’m glad to be doing this work in my hometown.” Although the executive director position now held by Repko is part-time to start, the organization hopes to expand it to a full-time position within two years.

The trust hopes to do more than fix and sell homes. Its goal, according to the founders, is neighborhood stabilization. Its first project is construction of a community garden to be built at 423 Chestnut St., Pottstown, this spring with a $30,000 grant from the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. Other donations have already been received from Genesis Housing and Susquehanna Bank, Lowes, Davey Tree Experts, attorney Andrew Monastra, the borough of Pottstown, and the Pottstown School District.

A series of outreach meetings are planned for February to inform residents about the community garden and the process for becoming a member.

MOSAIC runs an art gallery at its office at 10 S. Hanover St., Pottstown, and also is negotiating for its first residential rehabilitation project. For more information, call Jackson at 484-949-4235 or Repko at 609-658-9043.