2013-02-28-HPB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Housing Meeting Minutes for February 28, 2013 Attendees: Bob Pressman, Melinda Walker, Florence Baturin, Jeri Foutter, Suzanne O'Neil Jones, Wendy Manz, Harriet Cohen Jennifer Van Campen, Metro West Collaborative Development (MWDC) and Karen Margolis, Regional Housing Services (RHS) The meeting was called to order at 7:43 pm. 1. Approval of the Minutes of January 24, 2013 One minor correction was suggested for the minutes of the previous meeting. Wendy Manz moved approval of the minutes as amended. Melinda Walker seconded the motion. The minutes were approved by a vote of 6 ayes, with 1 abstention. 2. LHP Membership Ms. Manz is an ex officio member of the LHP through her seat on the Town Planning Board. As of the end of February, Ms. Manz will no longer be on the Planning Board. She has filed an application for a seat on the LHP. A seat is currently open. 3. HOME Program HOME funds are expected to be approved for two properties on Mass Ave, both state -owned public housing properties designated for the disabled. The money will be used to put in new kitchens, replace the roof, replace the furnace, repair entryways, improve paving (for increased accessibility), repair wheelchair ramps, and repair the storage shed. The HOME consortium serves contiguous towns. Lexington is a connector to several towns further west. The HOME consortium funds are pooled every year, and in three or four years Lexington may be able to get a significant sum of money towards affordable housing. Aaron Henry has noted that Regional Housing Services provides administrative support to the town, so the HOME consortium is not a burden to Town employees. There will be a Board of Selectmen (BoS) meeting in March to discuss whether Lexington should stay in the HOME consortium. Ms. Walker will write a letter to the BoS supporting Lexington's continued participation in the consortium. It was suggested that letters to the BOS supporting the Home program be sought from the Lexington Housing Authority and the Douglas Home. 4. Regional Housing Services Program Update Karen Margolis came to the LHP meeting to provide an update on RHS. RHS serves the towns of Acton, Bedford, Concord, Lexington, Sudbury and Weston.