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<br />2 <br /> <br />for up to $500 in tax exemptions/refunds for every $1,000 donated by an individual . Ms. <br />Morrison also went into greater detail on the road ahead for the conversion to a 501(c)(3), <br />including changing specific language in the Special Act that governs LexHAB. The process would <br />take an entire legislative cycle to be completed, and that for a most speedy transition, a vote <br />from Special Town Meeting is needed for there to be a “timely file” in the third week of January <br />2023. Finally, Ms. Morrison explained that the Select Board would still have a power over <br />potential board members for the new LexHAB. <br />Ms. Fenollosa asked what if any effect this arrangement of veto power by the Select Board <br />would affect the status of LexHAB being an independent 501(c)(3). Ms. Morrison and Ms. <br />Mizrahi explained that after speaking with Town Counsel, so long as the Special Act clearly <br />states the independence of LexHAB from the Town, LexHAB would not be affected by this type <br />of Select Board oversight. Ms. Fenollosa also asked Ms. Morrison about the future relationship <br />between the Committee and the “new” LexHAB once the conversion is complete. Ms. Morrison <br />said that LexHAB would continue to ask for money from the CPC, especially for specific projects. <br />Ms. Walker asked Ms. Morrison about the number of non-SHI (Subsidized Housing Inventory) <br />units and what the waiting list for an affordable housing unit was. Ms. Morrison explained that <br />there are currently 29 non-SHI units available but that there is currently a 25-person waitlist for <br />a one-bedroom unit from LexHAB. Ms. Walker then asked Ms. Morrison to clarify what would <br />qualify as an emergency for non-SHI units. Ms. Morrison explained that emergencies would <br />include things like Domestic Violence, homelessness or natural disaster. Ms. Walker then asked <br />Ms. Morrison to clarify the definition of “homelessness.” Ms. Morrison explained that she did <br />not have an emergency application on hand but clarified that the Town of Lexington does have <br />a different working definition of homelessness than other agencies. Specifically, Ms. Morrison <br />stated that the shelter system has a much more stringent definition for shelter. <br />Mr. Pressman asked if the current draft of the bylaw specifically states that LexHAB will not be <br />subject to public procurement. He also asked whether it had been determined that this <br />language must be included or would the change of status automatically bring about that <br />condition. This could become unpalatable to those who are firm union supporters. Ms. <br />Morrison and Ms. Mizrahi explained that since the separation of LexHAB from the Town is <br />explicitly stated in the Special Act, any confusion would be avoided. They also explained that <br />the specific reason for moving away from the quasi-municipal nature is to avoid public <br />procurement and not necessarily prevailing wages. Mr. Pressman then asked about the AMI <br />(Area Median Income) status of those in non-SHI units, especially the status once the transition <br />of LexHAB to a 501(c)(3) occurred. Mr. Pressman stated that with Lexington’s high median <br />income and increasing home prices, there was a real danger of those that help keep Lexington <br />going would be unable to afford to live here. Mr. Pressman then reiterated the need to protect <br />those living at the lowest AMI and that more very low AMI units needed to be constructed. Mr. <br />Pressman than stated that he would abstain from voting on the motion. Ms. Morrison asked if <br />Mr. Pressman was concerned about non-SHI units being rented to those with a more moderate- <br />income AMI. Mr. Pressman agreed with this and again stated that he needed to know if this <br />was going to be the case and that the continued answer of “I can learn that after LexHAB is <br />independent” is not an acceptable answer. Ms. Mizrahi stated that there is no requirement to