HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-17-LEXHAB-minMinutes ofMeeting on October 17, 2013
The meeting opened at 7:05 A.M. All members of the Board were present, namely:
Bill Kennedy (Chair), Bob Burbidge, Lester Savage, Martha Woods, Bill Hays, Gerry
Howell and Dave Eagle. The Chairman presided. Present also were Norman Cohen
(LexHAB liason to the Board of Selectmen), Patricia Nelson (LexHAB's legal Counsel)
and Bob Pressman.
1. Busa Farm:
A. The plan,
There were questions about the plan prepared by or for the Engineering
Department.. Lester will check with the Department on the dimensions of the Affordable
Housing parcel.
B. The Meeting with the Selectmen:
The Chairman stated that the proposed meeting with the Board of Selectmen
scheduled for Monday, October2lst has been withdrawn in view of the responses of the
neighbors and the Farm Coalition following our meeting with abutters on September 23r
Looking forward, John Noonan has been asked to provide a more detailed drainage plan
and Carter Scott has been asked to provide elevation and lay -out plans for the two
buildings we are requesting, one set showing 3 units per building and the other showing
two units with storage facilities for both at the basement level. When these plans are in
hand, we would be in position to schedule a second meeting with neighbors and
interested parties.
It was further suggested that pictures be taken of the fields behind our housing parcel,
to demonstrate that the view to the southwest over and between our proposed buildings
compares favorably to the present overlook.
r
C. Request for CPA Funding.
The Chairman reported that the Application due by the end of October is essentially
done. The request will be for CPA funding of the difference between the estimated cost
of the two buildings ( each containing 3 units) and the funds already approved by past
Town Meetings approximating $510,000.
II. 1001 -1003 Mass. Avenue.
A Dave reported that the scheduled work on the two units is nearly completed.
B. Bill H. indicated that Metro West conducted the lottery for these units and the
winners names are known. One of the winners subsequently withdrew so the next
applicant in line will be offered the home, We will schedule interviews with the
successful applicants but the purpose of the meetings will be only for the exchange of
information; the housing is theirs and we cannot utilize what we may find out at the
interviews to alter the results ofthe lottery.
We will on the other hand order credit and Cori checks on the winners .It is uncertain
whether we can turn down a lottery winner because of an adverse credit or Cori report.
III. Metro West Contract:
Bill H. called the attention of Board members to the proposed contract with Metro
West. It covers two separate services that Metro West is willing to provide.
A. Tenant Selection for CPA Funded Units:
Thus far, our understanding with DHCD, th CPC and Town Meeting has been that
tenants for CPA funded housing must be selected strictly on a lottery basis. There is some
flexibility for a local preference factor (and as noted above, for favorable Credit and Cori
Repors), but otherwise there must be from the pool of qualified ready - renters an award
based solely on the outcome of the lottery.
Metro West agrees to maintain pools of ready - renters by advertising for families of
various sizes and then to determine whether applicants are qualified for appropriate units
and then to conduct the lottery.
The charge will be one month's rent (maximum rent of 30' /0 of 60' /0 of Area Median
Income, not the rent that the tenant actually pays which is 30o /a of the tenants income).
B. Tenant Selection for LexHAB Funded Units:
I- istirically, Lexl IAB has maintained its own list of potential applicants, updated
periodically by advertising town -wide and through various media. r
r:
Metro West will relieve us of the advertising burden by providing us from time to
time on request with the names of applicants from its own appropriate pool (by size of
family). We will add the applicants famished by Metro West to our pool of interested
applicants and proceed from there as we have always done.
The charge for this will be on a fee- for - service basis; Metro West's time charge is
$50 per hour..
C. There followed discussion of the proposal, after which it was, on motion made and
seconded, unanimously VOTED to accept the Metro -West proposal as submitted.
N. Fairview Avenue:
A. Bill H. reported that DHCD has not entered its decision on Le "'s application
for 4 units of housing. The indication was that DHCD's decision would follow our
application within 4 to 6 weeks. We should expect a response shortly. The DHCD Task
Force members at their site visit seemed favorably disposed.
B. Bill H. noted that the next step following issuance of DHCD "s decision will be for
LexHAB to file its request with the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals for permission to
erect the units contained in its petition (and by now, approved by the Selectmen and by
DHCD).
V. Financial Reports:
A. Dave as Treasurer suggested that a large part of our anent checking account
balance be moved to MMDT whose rate is better. He will do so.
B. It was noted that although LezHAB's liquid assets are considerable, Town
Meeting and the CPC should understand that nearly 750,000 dollars are committed to the
4 units at Fairview Avenue (over the purchase price Of the property) and in addition the
Town needs to be able on short notice to purchase the 26 units at Katandin Woods should
The owners decide to convert the project from rental to ownership..
C. Gerry noted for the Board the instances where for a particular property, the repair
and maintenance totals seem high, he provided the explanation. He further pointed out
that in some cases, what appear to be charges for current operations may in the end be
capitalized.
VI. Minutes:
The minutes for the September meeting were unanimously accepted as presented.
It was noted that readers of our minutes might not know from our first name
attributions just who suggested what; it was resolved that the full names of Board
members would be entered at the beginning of forthcoming minutes. r
VII. Elections:
Bill H. Indicated that he found it hard to preside (occasionally) over meetings while
serving at the same time as Secretary pro tem. It was then, upon motion duly made and
seconded, VOTED that Bill K. and Bob Burbidge shall become and be Co- Chairs of
LexHAB
VIII. Next Meeting:
The next meeting will be held at the offices of LexHAB on November 20 at 7 A.M.
Gerry will bring the coffee.
Respectfiilly Submitted,
Williarn C. Hays
Secretary Pro Tem