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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-17-LEXHAB-min LexHAB Minutes of Meeting 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 hason to the Board of Selectmen),Patncia Nelson(LexHAB's legal Counsel) and Bob Pressman. I Busa Farm A IThe plan, There were questions about the plan prepared by or for the Engmeenng 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The Chairman stated that the proposed meeting with the Board of Selectmen scheduled for Monday,October21st has been withdrawn in view of the responses of the neighbors and the Farm Coalition following our meeting with abutters on September 23`d Looking forward,John Noonan has been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. C Request for CPA Funding. The Chairman reported that the Apphcation 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 contauung 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 housmg is theirs and we cannot utilize what we may find out at the interviews to alter the results of the lottery We will on the other hand order credit and Con 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 K 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,the 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 Con 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%of 60%of Area Median Income,not the rent that the tenant actually pays which is 30%of the tenants income) B Tenant Selection for LexHAB Funded Units. Histirically,LexHAB has maintained its own list of potential applicants,updated penodically by advertising town-wide and through various media. 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 appropnate pool(by size of family) We will add the applicants furnished 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. IV Fairview Avenue A. Bill H.reported that DHCD has not entered its decision on LexHAB's application for 4 units of housing The indication was that DHCD's decision would follow our apphcation 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 Iarge part of our current checking account balance be moved to MMDT whose rate is better He will do so B. It was noted that although LexHAB'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 fiirther 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 VII Elections Bill H.Indicated that he found it hard to preside(occasionally)over meetings while serving at the same time as Secretary pro tern It was then,upon motion duly made and seconded,VOTED that Bill K.and Bob Burbidge shall become and be Co-Chairs of LexHAB VIlT 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 Respectfully Submitted, William C Hays Secretary Pro Tem s