2022-05-04-LEXHAB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

LexHAB Meeting Minutes May 4, 2022 – 4:07 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 4:07 pm. LexHAB members present were Bob Burbidge (Chair), Lester Savage (Vice‐Chair) Tara Mizrahi, Henry Liu, Gerry Howell, and Donna Leary. Donna Leary participated by phone. Bob Phelan was absent. Also present were Sarah Morrison (LexHAB Executive Director), Pearlene Varjabedian (LexHAB Housing Director), Regina Brown (LexHAB Financial Administrator) Robert Pressman (Housing Partnership Board), Charles Hornig (Planning Board), Katharine Roy (Affordable Housing Trust Study Committee), Jonathan Silverstein (Lexington resident) Minutes review of April 6, 2022, Meeting A motion was made and seconded to approve April 6, 2022 meeting minutes and was approved by a roll call vote. Executive Director Update Sarah Morrison outlined recent activities:  Funding Updates: Town Meeting approved CPA funds for preservation $234,000; Responded to follow up questions on proposal to CEL; Dana Home grantees will be notified first week of May. Once LexHAB receives word on outstanding funding requests Sarah will meet with appropriate staff and board members to create work plan.  Employee Benefits: Sarah requested the creation of Task Force to draft employee benefit package and employee handbook. Henry Liu and Bob Burbidge volunteered to be on the Task Force.  Strategic Planning: First of three planning meetings will take place May 16 4‐6pm with Donna Leary, Lester Savage, Bill Kennedy, and Tara Mizrahi  Annual Report to Regional Housing Services Office: Pearlene submitted report, RHSO is reviewing and will respond with feedback.  LexRAP collaboration: Met again with Marianne Boswell about collaboration. LexRAP is not interested in Masterleasing an apartment but would like to be a guarantor for LexRAP households that need that support. One LexRAP family matched to unit for June, another LexRAP family is applying. LexRAP is interested in writing an article together about refugee housing needs.  Storage Needs: John Biggins needs a heated space 700‐800 square feet for work and storage. Sarah will follow up with Doug Lucente about options; Les will investigate options; Pearlene will talk to John about possible options on LexHAB property.  ED intro meetings: Sarah continues introductory meetings with local leaders, social services organizations (RHSO, CPC, Town); asked for connections and recommendations of others she should meet with. Sarah will draft a press release for local media outlets announcing her hiring. Bob Burbidge recommended Lexington Observer.  Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: Board agreed to donate $500 in memory of Karen Iverson’s husband who recently died. Treasurer Report  Gerry Howell, Treasurer and Regina Brown, Financial Administrator reviewed the Quarterly Financial Report. All board members received copies of the report a week before the board meeting. Gerry noted that LexHAB had not been billed since October 2021 for landscaping and snow removal in spite of multiple outreach efforts. Regina will contact again to request invoice for work. Gerry noted increased expenses with hiring of Executive Director. Gerry concluded that LexHAB’s finances are in a healthy position. Affordable Housing Trust Committee  Tara Mizrahi outlined the recent work of the Housing Trust Task Force, including meeting with other Housing Trusts and creating a presentation for the Capitol Expenditures Committee. The priority is to create the Trust in order to make affordable housing development more nimble. The Task Force will conclude its work in June with draft of Housing Trust to be established.