HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-13-LEXHAB-minMINUTES
Minutes of the meeting held at the offices of LexHAB at 1620 Massachusetts Avenue in Lexington on
January 13, 2016
There were present at the meeting the Vice - chairman, Bob Burbidge, Gerry Howell, Bill Hays and Lester
Savage, Bob Phelan, Donna Leary, Henry Lui. Also present were Pat Nelson, LexHAB counsel, Norman
ten, one of the Board of Selectmen's liaisons to LexHAB, and Bob Pressman.
The Vice- chairman presided.
The meeting opened at 7:06 a.m.
1. Minutes
The minutes for the meeting on December 9. 2015 were accepted as presented.
2. Financials
Gerry Howell presented the financial reports, calling to the attention of the Board that both income and
outflows were very close to those reported for the same period a year thus net income also tracked net
income recorded a year ago.
Lester noted that in all probability, funds will be needed before the next meeting to cover the early
phases of the Fairview project which is to be financed internally, tapping LexHAB surplus. It was moved
by Lester, seconded and unanimously VOTED that $ 100,000 for this purpose be shifted from our MMDT
account to LexHAB's checking
3. Busa Farm
A. Pat Nelson reported that the deed setting off from the Farms overall acreage the el for LexHAB
proposed housing should issue shortly according to Town Counsel; will open the way for the submission
of LexHAB application to DHCD for treat- t as a "friendly 40 -b project ".
B. The Chairman (by conference call connection) informed the Board of the recent ng with Pat Goddard,
the Town's Superintendent of Public Facilities. He is very Lar with DHCD and CPA requirements and will
help us with compliance.
C. Pat Nelson pointed out that the Driscoll law firm, recently retained by LexHAB matters of tenant non-
compliance, is also experienced with DHCD and CPC ;regulations and may be drawn upon for assistance
as we become increasingly involved with these agencies.
4. Fairview
A. Rehab of existing house
- Lester noted that contaminants, principally lead and asbestos, have now removed; students from
Minuteman Technical School can now enter the building to commence their work. Lester will confer
with the Minuteman's project supervisor as to
B. New Construction
- Lester reported that sill plates should be in place by the end of this week; should follow shortly. He will
maintain contact with Transformations Inc. to that questions as they arise are addressed promptly.
- Lester will also remind Transformations Inc. that we have assured Minuteman Vocational that students
will be given opportunity by Transformations to observe key aspects of the new construction, as for
example the steps taken to cause the project to be a zero energy facility.
5. Wright Farm
There was no report other than notation to the Board that (a) there will be article in the coming Warrant
to deal with the housing parcel and (b) no decision has yet al made with regard to responsibility for the
removal of contaminated soil elsewhere the property
6. Keeler Farm
A. LexHAB offer to purchase the affordable housing unit for $185,000 has been accepted by Todd
Cataldo. Pat Nelson will see to the signing of a Purchase and Sale agreement. It was the consensus that
an early May closing would be appropriate.
B. For various reasons, we will need Board of Selectmen approval of the purchase; Nelson will see to the
delivery of the Purchase and Sale Agreement to the secretary of Board of Selectmen with a request for
an appearance date.
7. Brookhaven
Bob Pressman called to the Board's attention the possibility that Brookhaven may come before the
Planning Board to discuss an expansion of its footprint and an increase the number of its housing units.
This would in the end involve a change -of -zone under e terms of the Planning Board's Public Benefit
regulations. Under these regulations, it provided that unless affordable housing is to be offered on site,
linkage payments to e Town and eventually to LexHAB may be forthcoming. We will watch for
8. Other Matters
A. Guidelines for applications by prospective tenants for rental units at Muzzey as 1 as the basis on
which units are awarded need to be updated. The Vice - chairman will if Henry Liu or his Task Force would
tackle this assignment. This led to a broader suggestion: namely that Henry's Task Force (consisting of
Henry as Chair and Bill Hays Pat Nelson) might conduct an overall review of all of our Rules, Regulations
and
B. the Vice- chairman reminded the Board that Beth Rust has been retained by the Town to review the
procedures under which all affordable housing is monitored, as r example whether tenants are properly
requalified and whether records of same retained and indexed for future access. At the Vice - chairman's
suggestion, it was Loved, seconded and unanimously VOTED that Beth or her firm be approached to see
if le might undertake for us and at our expense a review of the status of the historic L LexHAB units
which are not carried on the Town's SRI list.
C. Gerry spoke in behalf of the new members of the Board, noting how difficult it must be for a "new
arrival" to figure out how any proposal for current action relates to which has arisen before. He
suggested that a short 10 minute "history" of LexHAB adventures in providing and administering
affordable housing be prepared; Bill 3 said he would give it a try.
D. Again on the subject of Muzzey in general and the treatment accorded tenants owners in particular,
Pat Nelson reported on the meeting of her Task Force (Bob Burbidge, Lester, Maryann and Pat) with the
Muzzey Trustees. The Vice - chairman stated that the meeting was good; the attorney for the Trustees
seems to be well aware of the problems on both sides and appears to be interested in solving present
problems in the short run and in restoring a working relationship between owners and tenants in the
longer time frame.
9. Next Meeting
The next meeting of the LexHAB Board, which will also be a meeting in lieu of the Annual Meeting, will
be held at the LexHAB offices at 1620 Massachusetts Avenue in Lexington at 7 a.m. on February 17,
2016.
10. Executive Session
The Vice - chairman then proposed that the Board go into executive session to consider tenant matters,
stating that consideration of same in open session could have a detrimental effect on the negotiating
position of a semi - public body, namely LexHAB,
D might also affect adversely the privacy rights of tenants and that the Board not return open session at
the end except to adjourn.