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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-05-LEXHAB-minLexington Housing Assistance Board Monthly Board Meeting Minutes April 5, 2023– 4-6 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 4:11pm. LexHAB members present were Bob Burbidge, Bob Phelan, Les Savage, Tara Mizrahi, Gerry Howell, Sarah Morrison (LexHAB Executive Director), Pearlene Varjabedian (LexHAB Housing Director) and Regina Brown (LexHAB Financial Administrator). Guests: Martha Sandler, Russ Tanner, Ingrid Hornig, Kathleen Roy Minutes review of March 2023 Meeting A motion was made and seconded to approve March 1st 2023 meeting minutes. All approved. Executive Director Report: • Town Meeting- CPA approved unanimously $345,000 for rehab, preservation and solar and $400,000 towards purchase of new unit • Dana Home Request – Awards come out late May • $5,100 for Bill Kennedy funds – Thank you letters will go out soon. Draft out to a couple of board members. • Community Endowment grant –Sarah suggesting that we ask for Fall request of larger amount and to go towards capacity building and we can use towards transition. • CEC- looking at a grant for sustainability work- due next Friday. Sustainability plan to overlay over our capital plan. • Fall Home/Art exhibition with LexArt and maybe a Housing Roundtable as well- maybe could be a fundraiser. In October. • Legacy Initiative- mailings to all 60+ have been done • Energy Audit and weatherization- Good news- more later in the meeting • Human Services—brainstorming about how to match tenants with more intensive service provision. Working with the Town for help as well. • Tenant Appreciation Event- would like to do again- maybe an arts and recreation theme for this year. • Paint Rock Pool memberships- one family free membership • LexFUN – flyer that tenants can buy for free. • Newsletter starting • CNA plan- still working on • Discovery Day May 27- would like to do again this year Housing Director Report • Partnering with a bunch of town groups to hold a housing fair/roundtable- target date for event Late Fall. • Application question about listing the sale of a business—Board felt it is already captured • Reasonable Accommodation request- will be working on it • LexHab Team BBQ—late Spring – more to come! Property Search and Development: • Kimball Rd—ready for installation by Minutemen Tech, water is shut off, needing heating system taken out. On to us after they finish a project in Acton. MassSave will go through for their analysis. Will do some tree removal and replanting. Working with neighbors. • Off Woburn Street- small ranch- Les has been looking Legacy Initiative • Received two serious inquiries • Working on a FAQs based on questions that are coming in. • Example: Questions about capital gains—What effect does it have on capital gains when they sell below market? • Russ will write up some bullet points as a draft • Set up a booth at Nov road race Sustainability- Regina/Sarah • Muzzey - all new heat pumps and heat exchangers- $230,000- been approved by ABCD group; waiting on the proposal (12 units LexHAB) • Emerson- don’t have anything concrete yet b/c of the condo association- $196,000 for heat pumps and air handlers. Need to get condo approval. Town is trying to work with them to move this along. Emerson (13 units LexHAB) • Single family units—looking at the others to start audits. Kimball is first. • Material sustainability- smaller group looking at where to use marmoleum. Two areas where we can test it out. $3/SF more than the $3.50/sf that we usually use. Human Resources • Ann’s group did interviews. Bob will reach out to Sarah and see how things are going. LexHAB Transition • Michelle Ciccollo – ours has been referred to the Secretary of State and not a committee. Michelle was confused about that but maybe it is because it is the management of non-profits. Bob will talk to his lobbyist. • April 12th – meeting with the Town on parameters on the MOU—Carol sent an email. Housing Partnership Board • They would like a voting member- not just a liason from LexHAB. • Tara motion made to recommend Sarah be a voting member of Housing Partnership Board. Les seconded. All voted unanimously. New Business • Sarah will check in with Joe about the nominees for Board seats. Regina will be working on the CNA analysis more with certain members. • Russ questions- MBTA Zoning come up—does LexHAB have a formal position on it? (LexRAP person)- thinks that LexHAB should speak up b/c the Planning Boar d is getting a lot of push back. Sarah will write out a letter. - What does LexHAB do if someone is in need? Referrals to others and work closely with Lexington Human Services. For those that need more - LexHAB invites Lex Human Services to a joint meeting. - Rental Assistance referrals- RAFT or St. Brigid’s The next meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 10, 2023 @ 4:00pm in person at the Hudson Room in the Cary Memorial Building. Motion to Adjourn Open Session at 5:23 pm The Chair moved to adjourn the Open Session and go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation, tenant and real estate matters that if considered in Open Session might adversely affect privacy rights of individuals or LexHAB’s negotiating position. The motion was seconded. The motion was approved by vote.