HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-11-LEXHAB-minJun 26 '14 12:43p Hays 781 862 7979 p.2
LexHAB
Minutes of Meeting Held on June 11, 2014
The meeting opened at 7:07 A.M. at the offices of LexHAB at 4 Militia Drive in
Lexington.
All members of the Board except Dave Eagle and Bob Burbidge were present. Also
attending were Norman Cohen (LexHAB liason to the Board of Selectmen), Pat Nelson
Counsel) and Bob Pressman.
Bill Kennedy, Chairman, presided
1. Minutes
The minutes of the May 14th meeting were unanimously approved and adopted as
presented.
2. Financials
Gerry Howell reported that he did not have for presentation the customary break -
dawn of LexHAB's cash and that the spreadsheets distributed to the members contained
no significant deviations from our norms, save for the matter of the higher year -to -date
outflows which were explained at the May meeting and summarized in the May minutes.
3 Busa Farm
The Chair reported that he has asked Metro -West for and has received a proposal for
the work that now will be required to complete our application to DHCD._ The scope of
work should parallel the scope of our contract with Metro West for the Fairview project.
Bill noted that there are minor points to be ironed out which he will take up with Jennifer
Van Campen.
Subject the resolution of these issues, it was 7ved, seconded and unanimously
VOTED to approve the Metro -West proposal.
4. Fairview
The Chair called to the attention of members our receipt of the long awaited DHCD
letter approving the project.
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Bill noted that he met with David George, the ZBA's attorney, on the subject of our
forthcoming appearance before his Board for 40 -b approval of the project now that
DHCD has signed off.
Bill will prepare a first draft of the Application to the ZBA and send it to Pat Nelson
for her input and changes.
Bill Hays noted the references in the DHCD letter to the 75/25 split between the so-
called market nnits and the regulated unit. We had assumed that the split would be on a
50/50 basis; The change is in LexHAB's favor so we will probably not pursue
clarification a6east at this point_
5. Busa and Fairview
The Chair reported that the Selectmen have scheduled a summer meeting on June 30`"
to deal mainly with housing issues. He will see of LexHAB can find a place on the
Agenda to report our progress to date on both projects together with a summary of what
comes next.
6. Muzzey Condominium
There was discussion regarding the problem at Muzzey created by owners who rent
their units without approval either by the Association or LexHAB. One of the two cases,
seems to have solved itself since the May meeting; the other remains unresolved.
Pat Nelson explained the problem in further detail.
We do not know whether the Town expects LexHAB to be the enforcing agent of the
Town in this matter - -which is likely to involve legal action — or whether the Town will
take the laboring oar with assignment of legal matters to Town Counsel.
Pat will work up a summary of the issues and transmit it to Norm Cohen who will
review the problem with the Town Manager,
7. Parker Manor
Pat Nelson reported that the Association h"t en out a bank loan to provide the
funds for replacement of the remainder of the sewer fine and replacement of the roof
There will be a special assessment on every unit which may be paid in full at the
beginning, in which event no interest will be charged. Otherwise, owners will be able to
pay the assessment over time but interest will be added.
8. Open Meeting Law as Applied to E -MAIL
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It appears that all E -Mail passing through the office and in some cases between
members will in the future need to be archived. We can store the material ourselves or
use the Town's repository.
There followed lengthy discussion, primarily on the exception that is supposed to Iie
for material which would not be included in the open meeting part of our minutes were
the exchange to have taken place not via E -Mail but in face -to -face deliberation during a
duly called meeting.
9. Todd Catald�o Proposal.
Effort has been made since Todd's appearance before the Board to pin down the
"rent" that he may be looking for.
But Todd has pulled back, wishing to confer further with the Planning Department
before pursuing his May proposal.
For the moment, the proposal is off the table so far as we are. concerned.
10. Kathadin Woods .
There was discussion of the letter from Beth Rust seeking any information we may
have as to enforcement of the affordable housing provisions of the original agreement for,
Kathadin Woods.
�. Marshall Derby's efforts in this regard were noted.
It was resolved that the Secretary will reply to the letter, indicating that LexHAB has
nothing which might shed any light on the issue.
11. Miscellaneous
The need for a new computer for the office was discussed.
It was unanimously voted to authorize the Treasurer or the Chair to purchase same at
an estimated cost, including installation and updated software, of $1,050.
12. Next Meeting(s) f
It was noted that meetings both in July and in August may not be needed and that
sometimes in the past, no meeting has been held in either month.
It was resolved to defer for several weeks the decision with respect to summer
meetings but to identify dates should either meeting (or both meetings) be needed_
The dates are:
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July 23rd and August 1P.
Both will be held, if necessary, at 7 A.M. at the Lexhab offices.
13. Executive Session
The Chairman then proposed that the Board go into Executive Session to consider
rent arrearages on the part of present and future tenants without return to open session,
stating that consideration of same in open meeting could have a detrimental effect on the
negotiating p4ition of a semi -public body, namely LexHAB, and might also affect the
privacy rights of tenants.
The members of the Board were individually polled, each member then voting in
favor of the Chairman's proposal.
The time was then 8:10 A. M.
Respectfully submitted
William C. Hays
Secretary pro tem
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