2023-10-17-HPB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Lexington Housing Partnership Board (HPB) Meeting Minutes for October 17, 2023 Attendees: Cindy Arens (Sustainable Lexington liaison), Nanette Byrnes, Harriet Cohen (Clerk), Margaret Heitz, Charles Hornig (Planning Board), Paul Linton, Wendy Manz (Chair), Sarah Morrison (LexHAB), Bob Pressman, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss (Vice Chair), John Zhao (COA). Absent: Jill Hai (Select Board liaison) Guests: Charlie Wyman (Conservation Commission) The Housing Partnership Board (HPB) meeting was chaired by Wendy Manz and minutes were taken by Harriet Cohen. The meeting was held remotely via Zoom teleconference. 1. Call to Order: Housing Partnership Board Meeting Ms. Weiss called the meeting to order at 7:08. The roll was called. 2. Nominations of liaisons to Affordable Housing Trust (AHT) and Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Ms. Manz moved to appoint Ms. Heitz as the liaison to the AHT. Ms. Weiss seconded. In favor: Mr. Linton, Mr. Pressman, Mr. Hornig, Ms. Cohen, Ms. Byrnes, Ms. Thompson, Ms. Heitz, Mr. Zhao, Ms. Manz, Ms. Weiss, Ms. Morrison Against: none Abstaining: none Ms. Manz reminded the HPB that Mr. Pressman is the HPB appointee to the CPC. 3. Report on testimony to legislature re Real Estate Transfer Fee Ms. Heitz testified to the legislature re the RETF on Oct. 11. Ms. Heitz testified as herself and as a Lexington resident who has studied housing issues. Ms. Heitz had two minutes to speak. She said that the AHT has been created and is working on housing-related issues. Ms. Heitz responded to a previous commenter to the legislative committee who had said that affordable housing trusts are not very transparent. Ms. Heitz point out that the Lexington AHT is very transparent and there have been no problems related to lack of transparency. Ms. Heitz urged the Joint Committee on Revenue to report the bill out of committee. She continues to monitor progress on the bills. Ms. Manz thanked Ms. Heitz for taking the initiative to testify to the legislature. 4. Review and approve letter to Select Board supporting RETF Ms. Manz reminded the HPB that it had passed two motions regarding a recommendation re the RETF. The HPB reviewed a letter to the Select Board with its recommendations and discussed the content. Mr. Hornig moved to send the letter as agreed by the HPB to the Select Board. Ms. Heitz seconded the motion. In favor: Mr. Linton, Mr. Hornig, Ms. Cohen, Ms. Byrnes, Ms. Thompson, Ms. Heitz, Mr. Zhao, Ms. Manz, Ms. Weiss, Ms. Morrison Abstaining: Mr. Pressman