Kevin Sheldon spoke in continued opposition to the project.

He directly responded to comments from Councilman Maurice Cashman that more affordable housing is needed for an aging population and that he supported the project after visiting a similar facility in Clarion.

Sheldon argued that the Clarion location is eight blocks from downtown in Clarion.

“It’s low-income housing in the middle of downtown,” Sheldon said of the Warren project. “It’s going to benefit people in 40 units and the Hudson Group with little to no benefit” to local business.

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Warren City Councilman Maurice Cashman, center, speaks during Monday night’s council meeting.

He cited elements of the city’s comprehensive plan that he claimed support the idea that “we need to find a way to keep people in their homes” rather than low-income housing.

Sheldon said council should focus on expanding internet service which would better everyone.

“Let’s not just worry about one small group of people,” he said.

He then announced that he would be seeking to challenge Cashman’s seat in the upcoming election as a write-in candidate.

The only other discussion of the project on Monday tied to a dispute over the contents of the meeting minutes from July.

Councilwoman Wendy McCain had proposed last month for language to be added from the Warren County Housing Authority regarding vacancies at Housing Authority properties.

Councilman John Wortman said that if the minutes are going to include what was said verbatim, he’d like a transcript first.

Executive Secretary Teena Leary said the city’s practice has been to include summaries of what was said unless there was something to include that was “extremely specific or necessary.”

Mayor David Wortman said that the minutes are not “designed” to be verbatim.

“I understand the contentiousness of the issue,” he said, “because it continues to be contentious in every way.”

The August minutes were approved unanimously but the July minutes were tabled.