2023-06-29-HPB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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The sentiment of the HPB is that the Lexington Housing Foundation should be disbanded. However, the decision as to whether to continue or to disband is in the purview of the LHF, not the HPB. 5. June 12th CHAPA meeting on the successful passage of Article #34 Information Session for other towns Ms. Thompson: CHAPA (Citizens' Housing and Planning Association) met to discuss how Lexington was the first to pass bylaws relevant to the MBTA Communities Act. Ms. Thompson, Mr. Peters and Ms. Weiss talked with CHAPA members about the steps that Lexington took to passg the relevant warrant article, Article #34. 6. Real Estate Transfer Fee Working Group Mr. Pato has asked the HPB to investigate real estate transfer fees (RETFs). Ms. Heitz, Ms. Thompson, and Mr. Linton volunteered to form a working group and perform the investigation. Ms. Heitz: Ms. Heitz posted a document to the HPB Interest List regarding the transfer fee proposal. The working group is asking the HPB to provide questions to the working group regarding the transfer fee. The working group also recommends that Senator Barrett be asked to speak to the HPB regarding the transfer fee. Ms. Cohen urged the working group to provide a more comprehensive report on real estate transfer fees and to include a recommendation to the Select Board regarding the fees. Mr. Pressman raised the concern that, if the proposed RETFs legislation was passed and Lexington adopted a RETF, then Lexington would require 2 full-time employees to implement the RETFs. Mr. Pressman also said that he would like to have more information on the practical implementation of RETFs within Lexington. Mr. Hornig pointed out that the RETF would apply to almost every home in Lexington and it might be difficult to persuade homeowners to adopt a RETF. Mr. Hornig also raised the question as to how the RETF legislation would relate to the local option bills currently in the legislature that would charge a fee on new residential and new commercial development. This is not the same as the RETF but is attempting to achieve the same goal of providing funds for affordable housing. Mr. Pressman recommended reviewing information at the CHAPA site regarding the RETF and perhaps contacting CHAPA for further information. Ms. Heitz asked for further guidance as to Mr. Pato’s request for the investigation. It was not clear to the working group as to Mr. Pato’s expectations for the investigation. Ms. Foutter said that Mr. Pato had contacted her directly following a discussion at the Select Board (SB). In that discussion, the SB asked the HPB to research and give feedback and a recommendation on RETFs. Ms. Foutter recognized that the work may be a reach from the perspective of the working group. Ms. Foutter will reach out to Mr. Pato for further clarification and guidance based on the discussion this evening. Ms. Foutter thanked the working group for their efforts to date.