HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-25-LEXHAB-min LexHAB
Minutes of Meeting on April 25,2013
All members of the board were present as were Norman Cohen(Board of Selectmen
liason to LexHAB),Pat Nelson(LexHAB's counsel)and Bob Pressman(visitor).
The meeting opened at 7 08 AM.The Chairman presided.
1. Minutes
The minutes for the meeting on March 21'were unanimously accepted as presented,
2 Financial Statements •
Gerry Howell commented on the spreadsheets,noting that we will shortly find in the
monthly spreadsheets a break-down of any abnormal maintenance expenditures
The Treasurer reported that the May 1n inventory of bank balances is not yet
available.
The spreadsheet reports were unanimously accepted as presented
Fairview Project
The new plan was discussed.Under the plan,there would be but one new building,
consisting of two 2-bedroom units and a single 1-bedroom unit beneath The footprint for
the new building would be the same as for a duplex and the profile for the new building
from any direction would likewise be the same.
The new plan includes a car port which could be Omitted.There was no consensus as
to whether this feature should be included.
There was,however,consensus that the project should move forward toward a
presentation to the Board of Selectmen,preceded by an update report to the neighbors
Bob will notify the neighbors that a third meeting will be held at his home at 7 PM on
June 5th,to be followed by a presentation to the Board of Selectmen on June 17e
provided that the agenda for the Selectmen's meeting on June 17th will accommodate our
appearance
Bill H reported that a meeting of the Fairview Task Force will be held at the Town
Hall on May 2nd at 9AM,probably in Room 0-15.Lester and Dave indicated that they
will attend as will Bill,the Chairman will not be able to do so Other members of the
Board are invited
4, Busa Farm
The new plan was discussed,calling for two buildings,each including two 2-bedroom
units and one 1-bedroom unit,offering the same advantages described above for the
Fairview protect,
The parcel to be dedicated to affordable housing has not yet been finally defined by
the Board of Selectmen but is expected to be about 180 feet(frontage on Lowell Street)
by 120 feet(depth).
Karl Oldenberg has viewed the new plan as submitted by Carter Scott and has made
several suggestions,most of which have been incorporated.
Bob Pressman reviewed for the Board the action of the Selectmen taken at its meeting
on July 20th of last year,
There followed discussion as to what should next occur.
It was the consensus of the Board that in view )f the Selectmen's considerable
involvement in this project,the new plan as endors i by LexHAB should be set before
the Selectmen in the near future,but that first the rwighbors should be informed of
developments to date.It was proposed and unanimously approved that a letter should go
out to the neighbors outlining the above and mformmg them of our intention to present
the plan to the Selectmen and that simultaneously we should seek a slot in the
Selectmens early Fall meeting agenda for our report.
Bob will work on a draft of the letter;Bill K will schedule the meeting with the
Selectmen He will also see whether Aaron Henry representing the Planning Department
might speak at the opening of the meeting with the Selectmen to frame the Busa Project
as a key element in the Town's policy to expand the Town's inventory of affordable
housing units while we are still ahead of the DHCD threshold for the SHE list
5,Parker School
Dave outlined the steps that the Association has taken to alleviate the drainage
problem,
The question remains how much of the damage will be covered by insurance
There has been some indication that a special assessment may be needed to cover
repairs not insured;Pat is not at all sure that this will be the case but will explore further
the extent of LexHAB's possible exposure.
6, Tenant Documents
Pat Nelson commented on the draft of a proposed Handout that would supersede the
material we have generally used in tenant interviews,
The pets exclusion policy was left in place,subject of course for the allowance of
medically required animals-of-assistance •
There was discussion whether the asset ceiling ought to be increased.It was the
unanimous conclusion of the Board that the asset cap for units under LexHab's control
should be increase to$75,000
The requirement for an annual inspection of all rental units was unanimously
approved
The requirement for a CORI check and as well for a general credit check as a
prerequisite for award of a unit was unanimously approved.
There was flrrther discussion of lease terms to be included in the handout•should we
not provide that maintenance of vehicles including oil changes is prohibited as well as the
presence on property of unregistered vehicles?This prohibition was unanimously
approved
It was also unanimously agreed that tenants should be required to leave heat
thermostats at not less than 50 degrees F
It was left that the extent of LexHAB's subsidy(which is to say,the determination of
the rent for a unit)should be left for inclusion in the Interview Form.
7 Annual Goals
Should we articulate goats beyond the introduction of affordable units at Fairview and
on the Leary and Buse sites?
Bill K.wrll articulate our goals.
8 Audit
Dave reported that the Ryan firm is able to continue'to provide financial statements
for our enterprise but cannot at the same time be our auditor for Town purposes He has
. spoken to Carl Vgiente and requested a figure for an audit report from the firm which
provides same to the T9wn which is Melanson&Heath who estimate that their bill to us
will be around$10,000 per year.There was discussion about the arrangement during
which it was observed that this cost estimate is not out of line.
It was then voted that Dave be authorized to enter an agreement with Melanson&
Heath on the terms proposed,
9, Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held at the offices ofLex1LsB at 7 AM on May 23,2013.
Martha will bring the coffee and adjuncts.
10 Executive Session
The Chairman then proposed that the Board go into Executive Session to consider
tenant issues without return to open session,declaring that consideration of same in open
meeting would have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of a public body,
namely:LexHAB and might also affect the privacy rights of tenants
Closing
The members of the Board were then polled.Each member voted in favor of the
Chairman's proposal The time was then 8.52AM.
Respectfully i ed
4- 1 ili