HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-08-LEXHAB-min LexHAB
Minutes of Meeting held on April 8,2014
The meeting opened at 7:05 A.M. at the LexHAB offices at 4 Militia Drive in Lexington.
All members were present,being Bill Kennedy(Chair),Bob Burbidge(Vice-Chair),
Dave Eagle,Gerry Howell,Martha Wood,Lester Savage and Bill Hays.Also attending
were Pat Nelson(Counsel),Norman Cohen(LexHAB's liason to the Board of
Selectmen)and Bob Pressman.
The Chairman presided.
1.Busa Farm Project.
Bill K.summarized the remarks he plans to make at tonight's session of Town
Meeting in support of our request for CPA funding for the project,to include the
following points:
A.What happened before and after the Selectmen approved last year a 4-unit
project.
B.Reference to the majority vote by the Selectmen earlier this year in support of
our request for 6 units and the recent unanimous vote of the Selectmen in favor of CPA
funding for the 6-unit project.
C, A slide presentation featuring the overlay photographs prepared by Carl
Oldenberg showing the(minimum)impact of the two buildings on neighbors' sight lines.
D. Reminder of the number of information meetings held with and for neighbors.
E.Reference to the far greater impact on the neighborhood that would have resulted
had the Town not purchased the Farm.
F. The effect of rising house prices in Town an our program to purchase low-end
houses and then rehab the existing dwelling or remove it to permit construction of a new
building.
If questions arise as to traffic impacts,Lester will report on his meeting with the
Traffic Department.Questions about the drain pipe under our parcel(there is none)will
be handled by Dave and/or Lester and any questions on the subject of whether or not we
will be able to dispose on-site of surface water generated on our parcel will be fielded by
our Engineer,John Noonan,who,along with Carter Scott,will be present at the meeting.
Bill K.finally reported on the C.E.Committee's request that our unexpended balance
of CPA funds be combined with the$750,000 now sought into a single wraparound
proposal covering the total sum.Bill sees no downside to this change.
2.Fairview Project.
Bill H.reported that the long awaited OK from DHCD has still not arrived but that
Aaron Henry indicated within the week that DHCD is now satisfied following our
willingness to raise the income ceiling for the 2 unrestricted units from 60%of Area
Median Income to 80%which has been our traditional ceiling from the beginning save
only for the units purchased over the last 5 years with CPA funds.
3.Parker Manor
Pat Nelson reported that roof leaks have recently occurred along with a new sewer
back-up,neither of which directly affected our units.
A roofing consultant has been engaged.It is anticipated that the sewer for its full run
from the street to the buildings will have to be replaced this time;patching will no longer
suffice.
Plans are afoot to borrow the funds to cover this work;the loan to be secured by the
flow of rents.
4.Muzzey Condominium
It was noted that the Association owns a unit which it may wish to sell;this has raised
a question how the Maximum Resale Price is going to be determined as there is no prior
sale on which to base the MRP.There followed brief discussion but there was no
consensus as to what is to be done.
It was also noted by Pat that several owned units are perhaps being rented which
violates both the Condominium's by-laws/regulations and the Town's restriction. There
was no clear answer whether enforcement of the restriction is a matter for LexHAB or
whether it is for the Selectmen to decide.
5.Minutes
The minutes for the meetings on January 6", January 28th,February 3rd,and
March 10th were presented for acceptance;on motion made and seconded,it was
unanimously voted to accept these minutes.
6.Financial Statements
Our policy with respect to security deposits was discussed.The need for the policy
was reviewed and found wanting.
It was then,upon motion duly made and seconded,VOTED:
-that all requirements henceforth both for security deposits and for last months
rent in advance are hereby eliminated
and
-that all accounts presently showing balances for security deposits and/or last
months rent shall be paid to tenants together with at 5%straight interest.
6.Next Meeting
The next meeting will be on May 14a`at 7 AM. at the offices of LexHAB at 4 Militia
Drive,Lexington.
7.Executive Session
The Chairman then proposed that the Board go into Executive Session to consider
tenant selection issues without return to open session,stating that consideration of same
in open meeting could have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of a semi
public body,namely LexHAB,and might also affect the privacy rights of potential
tenants.
The members of the Board were polled individually;each member then voted in favor
of the motion.
The time was then S: 30 A.M.
Respectfully submitted
William C.Hays
Secretary Pro Tem