HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-17-HPB-min (Community Housing Resources Subcommittee)1
Minutes from the Community Housing Resources Subcommittee Meeting -- February 17, 2022
Attendees: Margaret Heitz, Jeri Foutter, Bob Pressman, Paul Linton, Betsey Weiss
Absent: None
Guests: None
Summary of Discussion
1.Call to Order – HPB Subcommittee on Community Housing Specialist
The meeting was held remotely via Zoom conference and called to order by Margaret at 7:05 pm.
Minutes were taken by Paul Linton.
The meeting agendas will be available from the town web site, Housing Partnership Board | look for
Public Meetings Calendar on our page (web link is https://www.lexingtonma.gov/housing-partnership-
board).
2.Subcommittee Organization
There was some confusion over who can be the chair of an HPB subcommittee, and whether they have to
be a HPB member. Consensus is that they do not have to be, and thus Margaret could continue to be the
chair.
3.Discussion regarding housing tasks required / resources needed to carry them out
Discussion about the information Bob received from his discussion with Carol Kowalski. Carol’s allocation
of consultant hours is 400 hours per fiscal year; as of 12/31/2021 she had billed 184. Bob said Amherst
used CPA funds to hire a ½ time Housing person. He believes it wouldn’t be until next fall that a town
staff person could be hired. Bob will write a memo about all he learned from Amherst.
Betsey spoke to Doug Vincente last week. Doug said that the town has been “too slow” in being able to
acquire properties for sale. Betsey suggested that the group come up with a list of tasks that a CHS would
do, which would serve as justification for Doug to hire someone. Margaret said that hiring a consultant
doesn’t require the lengthy process that hiring town staff does.
Margaret suggested that each committee member update the shared online Google doc with their ideas
for tasks that a housing person should do; at our next meeting the list would be discussed / reviewed.
Bob already provided the initial 9 tasks in the list. A six-month review report and material from the RHSO
web site (created by Liz Rust, obtained by Bob) will be provided to the group to aid in creating their lists.
4.Meeting Minutes
Prior to the meeting, Paul had sent out the amended minutes from the Jan 6th, Jan 20th and Feb 3rd
meetings for review. Betsey moved to approve; Margaret seconded. Jerry abstained for the first 2
minutes, as she did not attend those meetings. Minutes were approved.
5.Set the Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday March 8, 2022 at 7:00 pm.
6. Adjourn the Meeting
Betsey moved for adjournment and Jeri seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously; the
meeting was adjourned at 7:58 PM.