2024-01-11-HPB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Housing Partnership Board (HPB) Meeting Minutes for January 11, 2024 Attendees: Cindy Arens (Sustainable Lexington liaison), Nanette Byrnes, Harriet Cohen (Clerk), Margaret Heitz, Charles Hornig (Planning Board), Paul Linton, Samita Mandelia, Wendy Manz (Chair), Bob Pressman, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss (Vice Chair), John Zhao (COA). Absent: Jill Hai (Select Board Liaison), Sarah Morrison (LexHAB) Guests: Barbara Katzenberg, Carol Kowalski (Assistant Town Manager), Linda Prosnitz (AHT) The Housing Partnership Board (HPB) meeting was chaired by Wendy Manz and minutes were taken by Harriet Cohen. The meeting was held remotely via Zoom teleconference. 1. Call to Order: Housing Partnership Board Meeting Ms. Manz called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. The roll was called. 2. Support for AHT CPC pre-funding request and for LexHAB CPC funding request: letter sent Per the HPB’s request, Ms. Manz sent a letter of support for the Affordable Housing Trust (AHT) Community Preservation Committee (CPC) pre-funding request and the LexHAB CPC funding request to the Select Board and the CPC. 3. AHT neighborhood meeting on Lowell St. project, January 16, 6:30 pm, Community Center This will be an opportunity to hear the presentation and how the neighbors respond. This is primarily a listening session to get input and feedback from the neighbors. The AHT will take all concerns into serious consideration. This is the start of the process regarding the Lowell Street project. A warrant article will be presented at Town Meeting to give the Select Board permission to dispose of the land on Lowell Street for affordable housing. The Request for Proposal for developers will be based on and developed after Town Meeting approval. Ms. Prosnitz requested a letter of support for the warrant article prior to Town Meeting. 4. Report on December 4, 2023 presentation to SB meeting on proposed Property Working Policy Recommendation and continued work Ms. Weiss presented the proposed property working group policy at the Select Board. Mr. Pato said that he thought it was helpful and inclusive but may not be appropriate in some circumstances. Mr. Sandeen said he was excited with the multiple interests collaborating. He thought the AHT should be incorporated into the discussion. Ms. Barrie had concerns. She thought it should be a town committee meeting (rather than a working group) and should meet in executive session. She also thought that the committee should have a Select Board member. Mr. Lucente thought we were already doing following this process. He also said he thought the proposed policy was not the best way to go about this. Ms. Hai had a favorable comment on the process.