HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-10-LEXHAB-minMar 20 14 02:23P Hays 781 862 7979 P 2
LexHAB
Nfinuteg of Meeting on March 10, 2014
The meeting opened at 7:11 A.M. at the LexHAB office at 4 Militia Drive in Lexington
The Chairman presided.
Present were Bill Kennedy, Chairman; Bob Burbidge, Vice - Chairman; Dave Eagle;
Gerry Howell; Bill Hays; Les Savage and Martha Wood.
The Chair announced that in the interests of time and attendance, the Busa matter would
be addressed first notwithstanding the Agenda.
1. Busa Project
Bob Burbidge noted that we are scheduled to make our presentation to the Board of
Selectmen tonight at 7:45 P,M. but that as the meeting room is likely to be crowded, we
should arrive early both to get a seat and to hear Aaron Henry's remarks about the
Town's affordable housing plans and the need to add units while Lexington is over the
SM count and before we lose the non- affordable units such as at Katandin Woods which
now count toward the 101/o.
In connection with the meeting with the Selectmen and our presentation, it was noted
as follows:
A. The Chairman will deliver the presentation, assisted by Lester who will
address the traffic and drainage issues.
B.John Liusey, the Town's Engineer, has not responded so far to Lester's
questions about the drain under our housing parcel which we know will have to be
moved.
C. The case for the need for six rather tW four units:
- The market has taken away all opportunity for us to buy small homes for
renovation or removal/construction. The Busa proposal and ones like it are few and far
between; we need to take advantage of the opportunity here to build as many new units as
is reasonable.
- We anticipate that Aaron in his remarks will speak to the need for as much
new housing as is possible.
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- The structures that we propose to build will be the same whether for four or
six units; given the need, we urge that the lower level units be approved.
D. The consequences of our being limited to a single building (with four units)
were noted.
E. We have received a suggestion that our plans to install sufficient solar panels to
cause the project to feed rather than drain energy from the grid be coordinated with the
Town's Solar,Energy Committee; Lester said he would speak with Mark Sandini.
F. Carl Olderberg's artificial horizon photographs are very informative and should
be highlighted ; they demonstrate our adherence to our policy of not bulling our
proposals to a degree not reflected in the affected neighborhood.
2. Fairview Project
No report
3. Spencer Street
Lester reported that the owner of property neat to our Spencer Street houses has .
asked whether LexHAB would consider selling some of our land, presumably to enable,
him to make greater use of his parcel(s). Lester distributed a plan of the area.
Dave Eagle pointed out that when we secured the permits for our houses, we were
required by the Fire Department to grant the Town an easement for passage of fire
equipment over parts of our sidelrear yards. Dave doubted that we are free to deed away
any of the land subject to this easement.
It was further noted that any move on our part to sell off any of our acerage in order
to benefit a private owner would be subject to high definition scrutiny.
For both of the above reasons, it was the concensus of the board that we should go
no further with the abutter's proposal.
4. Muzzey Condominium
f
Dave Eagle reported that work on the unit that was flooded and full of mold has
been completed and the tenant who moved out while the work was under way has
returned.
All that now remains is for the board of the condominium to arrange for
reimbursement to us for the work we undertook_
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on a separate subject, the board affirmed the Chairman's proposal to inform the
Board of Selectmen by letter that there are non - owners at Muzzey who are apparently in
residence.
5. Financial Reports.
Gerry Howell noted as follows:
The Profit and Loss statement for the first two months of the year show a
significantly diminished net income for the period. This was almost entirely a result of
special assesstrients at Muzzey and Parker. Also, the Town allowed our contribution for
insurance on our units to retrain unbilled; the bill has come in and we have paid it but it
skews the comparisons.
With Karen's help, we have reviewed the tenant deposit situation; Gerry is satisfied
that we know which tenant accounts hold balances and what these balances are.
6. Tenant Selection:
The Chairman stated that he did not see the need for Executive Session to deal with
tenant selection issues inasmuch as further interviews with interested applicants would
appear to be in order.
7. Next Meeting
w April 7, 2014 at 7 A.M. at 4 Militia Drive, Lexington.
Bob will bring the coffee.
r
Respectfully Submitted
William C, Hays
Secretary, pro tern