2022-02-03-HPB-min (Community Housing Resources Subcommittee)

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1 Minutes from the Community Housing Specialist Subcommittee Meeting -- February 3, 2022 Attendees: Betsey Weiss, Margaret Heitz, Jeri Foutter, Bob Pressman, Paul Linton Absent: None Guests: None Summary of Discussion 1. Call to Order – HPB Subcommittee on Community Housing Specialist The meeting was held remotely via Zoom conference and called to order by Margaret Heitz at 6:59 pm. Minutes were taken by Paul Linton. Paul will send out the amended minutes from the Jan 20 meeting for review. The meeting agendas will be available from the town web site, Housing Partnership Board | look for Public Meetings Calendar on our page (web link is https://www.lexingtonma.gov/housing-partnership- board). 2. Discussion regarding housing tasks required / resources needed to carry them out Margaret stated that she wanted to make sure that the possibility of a CHS is still “on the table”. She shared a document she has been drafting to organize the information the committee has gathered so far. There are 8 tasks / roles, based on an email created by Bob Pressman in Dec. 2021. Bob mentioned that his was an initial wish list for tasks to be done by an additional member of Planning Board staff (i.e., not an existing member of staff). Discussion on what amount of effort this might take (full time, half time, etc.). Bob doesn’t believe existing staff will be able to carry out the desired roles; the counter argument is that it is expensive to add personnel so there would need to be a strong case made for a hiring. In regards to existing resources, how many billable hours are allocated to Liz Rust, and is all the time she is allocated being used? Betsey says the allocation is 400 hours per fiscal year; Carol Kowalski should have the information on how many are actually worked – Bob will check with Carol. Liz Rust and her staff created the housing production plan for Acton. Margaret will distribute the table – the “homework” is to get those 8 tasks / roles filled in; this may require going back to the housing professionals in the various towns we spoke to. 3. Set the Next Meeting The next meeting will be held virtually on Thursday February 17, 2022 at 7:00 pm. 4. Adjourn the Meeting Betsey moved for adjournment and Jeri seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously; the meeting was adjourned at 7:57 PM.