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Home My WebLink About2022-10-05-LEXHAB-,min RECEIVED 2023 27Jain, I 125 am Lexington Housing Assistance Board Monthly Board Meeting Minutes TOWN CL,ERK October 5, 2022—4-6 pm—Conducted in the Hudson Room, Cary Hall Call to Order LEXINGTON A meeting of the Lexington Housing Assistance Board (LexHAB) was called to order at 4:13pm. LexHAB members present were Bob Burbidge, Les Savage, Tara Mizrahi, Jonathan Silverstein, Gerry Howell, Sarah Morrison (LexHAB Executive Director), Pearlene Varjabedean (LexHAB Housing Director), and Regina Brown (LexHAB Financial Administrator). Bob Phelan joined at 4:28pm Minutes review of September 7, 2022, Meeting A motion was made and seconded to approve September 7, 2022 meeting minutes as amended. Chairman request Bob Burbidge reminded members about Discovery Day table and asked for volunteers. Sarah Morrison will bring housing applications and info about LexHAB as well as the upcoming Town meeting article. Executive Director Update Sarah Morrison outlined recent activities: • Cambridge Savings Bank generously donating$20 gift card for groceries to each individual residing at LexHAB. Thank you to Jeri Foulter, Chair, Housing Partnership Board. These gift cards will be added to the holiday packages for tenants funded by CEL which will also include gift certificates to Chamber of Commerce to use at any local business and small house ornaments made by a local artist. • CPA funding request work continuing. Looking at possibility for grant requests and what can be paid for under the LEAN/Mass Saves program. CPA request due date. • Annual report submitted to Town on 9/12 • Article 14 will be going to Town Meeting 11/1. Activities aimed at passage of article: Community outreach at events, committee presentations, letters to all Town Meeting Members, articles in Lexington Observer and Lexington Times. • Upcoming events: Discovery Day 10/8, Senior Health Fair 10/12, Lex Doing Good 10/22, Farmer's Market 10/25, Rotary 10/31 Housing Director Update • Final Monitoring Report to DHCD-done by RHSO. Went well. Recommendations: request approval from the Town on rental rates, list on the MassAccess registry and hold another lottery Sept 2023 • Motion Made to use 2022 published Max rents as maximum rents. Seconded and unanimously approved. Utility allowances will be updated when they are published. • Pet Policy- Questions came up about disability and what that means for our definitions. Pearlene will discuss with counsel. • LexHAB joined Chamber of Commerce. Property Search and Development • Lester Savage investigated potential property for sale but found site too steep. Bob Burbidge mentioned another property to research.Jonathan Silverstein asked if realtors know what LexHAB wants. Discussed ways to get the word out about ongoing property search. Some of the members have discussed this. Pearlene suggested having an event and talking about the legacy program like an Open House, perhaps right before spring market and around Fair Housing month. Sustainability • LexHAB staff, Lester Savage, Maggie Peard, Lexington Sustainability Officer and Lexington Sustainability Committee members Rikki Pappos and Cincy Arens met with LEAN for multi-family unit resources for energy audits and improvements. LEAN funds could cover a lot-windows, doors, roofs, but unclear what exactly will come through. Will continue to follow up. Same team investigated community solar options and found two good options to save tenants money. Tenants would have to sign up for it, ranges from 10-25% savings depending on the company. Discussed talking about these with tenants when they come in for their holiday baskets. Perhaps partner with Human Services to help them sign on to the website, library may be additional resource. Human Resources • Bob working with salary survey group on salary review. Reviews in the spring. Staff will review their own job descriptions and send to Bob. LexHAB Transition • Many public meetings and individual meetings. Letter to go out to all TMM members. Board members info will be on it if people have questions. Board members can stop by the office to sign letters of people that they know as well. Bob will help with the mailings. Will send out FAQs with it as well. 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. The next meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 2, 2022 @ 4:OOpm in person at the Hudson Room in the Cary Memorial Building.