HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-04-LEXHAB-minLexHAB Meeting Minutes
May 4, 2022 – 4:07 pm – Conducted in the Hudson Room, Cary Hall
Call to Order
A meeting of the Lexington Housing Assistance Board (LexHAB) was called to order at 4:07 pm. LexHAB members
present were Bob Burbidge (Chair), Lester Savage (Vice‐Chair) Tara Mizrahi, Henry Liu, Gerry Howell, and Donna Leary.
Donna Leary participated by phone. Bob Phelan was absent. Also present were Sarah Morrison (LexHAB Executive
Director), Pearlene Varjabedian (LexHAB Housing Director), Regina Brown (LexHAB Financial Administrator) Robert
Pressman (Housing Partnership Board), Charles Hornig (Planning Board), Katharine Roy (Affordable Housing Trust Study
Committee), Jonathan Silverstein (Lexington resident)
Minutes review of April 6, 2022, Meeting
A motion was made and seconded to approve April 6, 2022 meeting minutes and was approved by a roll call vote.
Executive Director Update
Sarah Morrison outlined recent activities:
Funding Updates: Town Meeting approved CPA funds for preservation $234,000; Responded to follow up
questions on proposal to CEL; Dana Home grantees will be notified first week of May. Once LexHAB receives word
on outstanding funding requests Sarah will meet with appropriate staff and board members to create work plan.
Employee Benefits: Sarah requested the creation of Task Force to draft employee benefit package and employee
handbook. Henry Liu and Bob Burbidge volunteered to be on the Task Force.
Strategic Planning: First of three planning meetings will take place May 16 4‐6pm with Donna Leary, Lester Savage,
Bill Kennedy, and Tara Mizrahi
Annual Report to Regional Housing Services Office: Pearlene submitted report, RHSO is reviewing and will respond
with feedback.
LexRAP collaboration: Met again with Marianne Boswell about collaboration. LexRAP is not interested in
Masterleasing an apartment but would like to be a guarantor for LexRAP households that need that support. One
LexRAP family matched to unit for June, another LexRAP family is applying. LexRAP is interested in writing an
article together about refugee housing needs.
Storage Needs: John Biggins needs a heated space 700‐800 square feet for work and storage. Sarah will follow up
with Doug Lucente about options; Les will investigate options; Pearlene will talk to John about possible options
on LexHAB property.
ED intro meetings: Sarah continues introductory meetings with local leaders, social services organizations (RHSO,
CPC, Town); asked for connections and recommendations of others she should meet with. Sarah will draft a press
release for local media outlets announcing her hiring. Bob Burbidge recommended Lexington Observer.
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: Board agreed to donate $500 in memory of Karen Iverson’s husband who
recently died.
Treasurer Report
Gerry Howell, Treasurer and Regina Brown, Financial Administrator reviewed the Quarterly Financial Report. All
board members received copies of the report a week before the board meeting. Gerry noted that LexHAB had not
been billed since October 2021 for landscaping and snow removal in spite of multiple outreach efforts. Regina will
contact again to request invoice for work. Gerry noted increased expenses with hiring of Executive Director. Gerry
concluded that LexHAB’s finances are in a healthy position.
Affordable Housing Trust Committee
Tara Mizrahi outlined the recent work of the Housing Trust Task Force, including meeting with other Housing
Trusts and creating a presentation for the Capitol Expenditures Committee. The priority is to create the Trust in
order to make affordable housing development more nimble. The Task Force will conclude its work in June with
draft of Housing Trust to be established.
LexHAB Transition
Tara and Bob Burbidge relayed information on timeline for Home Rule petition: Town Meeting first must vote in
favor of a home rule petition. Once approved, Michelle Ciccolo would introduce in the House.
Since the two year legislative session ends on July 31, 2022 and the next Town Meeting is not until fall 2022, the
timeline for approval would be Spring/Summer 2024.
Tara and Sarah expressed their opinion that Home Rule is the cleanest, most efficient method to separate LexHAB
from the Town. After discussion, all agreed to proceed with Home Rule. Tara and Sarah will continue working on
this effort with the Town.
Property Development
Lester Savage stated that Vine Street is proceeding to construction drawings though timeline is no longer tight
since the project is on hold. Tara inquired about options for value engineering. Lester said he would meet with
Bob Phelan and Colin Smith to double down efforts to reduce construction costs.
Mortgage Repayment
Lester Savage asked if it may make sense for LexHAB to pay off its two mortgages with the current reserves. Tara
Mizrahi wondered if this could be part of the Strategic Plannin g discussion. After some discussion, Board members
agreed to maintain current reserves rather than paying off mortgages.
New Business
Jonathan Silverstein introduced himself and stated his interest in joining LexHAB’s Board. Jonathan is an attorney
with 26 years of experience related to land use, real estate, zoning, and permitting. Bob Burbridge stated that
Jonathan’s skill set would be an asset to LexHAB and explained that board members must be nominated by the
select board.
Motion to Adjourn Open Session
The Chair moved to adjourn the Open Session and go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation as
an Open Meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the LexHAB and to discuss tenant matters that
if considered in Open Session might adversely affect privacy rights of individuals. The motion was seconded.
The motion was approved unanimously by a roll call vote.
The next meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 1, 2022 @ 4:00pm in person at the Hudson Room in the Cary
Memorial Building.