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<br /> <br />Ms. Walker, Ms. Manz, and Mr. Wyman spoke in support. Ms. Weiss also noted that the Town <br />hadn’t purchased land for affordable housing since 2009. This is an opportunity for the relevant <br />interests to collaborate on land acquisitions. Given that no land has been purchased for <br />affordable housing since 2009, it is the HPB’s view that, contrary to Mr. Lucente’s understanding <br />that the process is in place, that the process is not being used. <br />More work needs to be done to address the Select Board concerns. <br />5. Site visit to Widnall property on Summit Road with representatives of the Conservation <br />Commission and the Historical Commission <br />Mr. Wyman from the Conservation Commission contacted the HPB to note that there is a site <br />visit to the Widnall property and asked for representatives of the HPB and the Historical <br />Commission to join. This would be an informal proof of concept of the process discussed in the <br />previous agenda item. <br />Ms. Weiss and Ms. Manz will be going on the site visit. <br />6. Review of Globe editorial on CPA funding for housing, and possible HPB response <br />Barbara Katzenberg called attention to a Boston Globe editorial regarding the lack of CPA <br />funding for housing generally in Massachusetts. The Boston Globe suggested various means of <br />increasing CPA funding for housing. <br />The HPB noted its support of the editorial and will continue to press for additional CPA funding <br />for housing within Lexington. The editorial is another point in favor of continuing to support CPA <br />funding of affordable housing within Lexington. <br />7. Summary of the Jan. 10th Hancock Church at 7pm GBIO meeting with Senator Barrett, and <br />Representatives Stanley, Gentile, and Cataldo to support housing measures <br />Ms. Cohen summarized the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) In District Meeting. <br />There were presentations on various matters related to affordable housing. Each of the <br />legislators was asked whether he supported various bills related to housing. All of the legislators <br />were very supportive. The key concern was whether there was enough money to fund all of the <br />initiatives. The state is collecting less revenue than anticipated and has already made cuts to the <br />proposed state budget. GBIO will continue to press for support for the housing issues and the <br />legislators will continue to work with GBIO. <br />Ms. Heitz: There is a hearing on the bond bill and on the Real Estate Transfer Fee (RETF) at the <br />State House at 11:00 am on January 18. The Local Option for Housing Affordability coalition is <br />assembling a panel to speak in favor of the RETF, noting that municipalities will need to have <br />significant flexibility in applying the RETF, for municipalities that choose to implement the RETF. <br />It is important to stay engaged on these housing issues. <br />Mr. Linton reminded the HPB that GBIO held a similar meeting in December with State Senator <br />Friedman and Representative Michelle Ciccolo, with a similar response to the GBIO asks. <br />Ms. Heitz volunteered to, on her own initiative, ask Representative Ciccolo to forward the Select <br />Board letter in support of the RETF to the committee holding the hearing.