HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-08-17-HPB-min
Lexington Housing Partnership Board (HPB) Meeting Minutes for August 17, 2023
Attendees: Nanette Byrnes, Jeri Foutter (Chair), Jill Hai (Select Board liaison), Margaret Heitz, Charles
Hornig (Planning Board), Paul Linton, Wendy Manz, Sarah Morrison (LexHAB), Bob Pressman, Melanie
Thompson, Betsey Weiss, , Harriet Cohen (Clerk)
Absent: Cindy Arens (Sustainable Lexington liaison)
Guests: Tom Battin, Ellen Cameron (representing the COA)
The Housing Partnership Board (HPB) meeting was chaired by Jeri Foutter and minutes were taken by
Harriet Cohen. The meeting was held remotely via Zoom teleconference.
1. Call to Order: Housing Partnership Board Meeting
Ms. Foutter called the meeting to order at 7:00. The roll was called.
2. Real Estate Transfer Fee (RETF) Working Group
Ms. Cohen presented slides comparing the RETF and the surcharge home rule petitions. The HPB
then asked questions and discussed the two bills. HPB members pointed out that the bill could
change prior to enactment (if it is enacted). One member raised the point that the approach of
the bill is wrong and that a different approach to raising funds for affordable housing would be
better. A concern was also raised about the bill penalizing seniors, though that concern could be
addressed through exemptions.
Ms. Hai stressed that we need to understand the home rule petitions prior to recommendations
to the Select Board.
Ms. Heitz then read for discussion a potential motion that the working group has considered
regarding the RETF. Ms. Heitz did not make that motion.
3. Proposed Land Acquisition Policy Recommendation: Conservation and Recreation Comments
Ms. Weiss noted that she had sent the Conservation Land Acquisition Subcommittee comments
on the proposed policy to the HPB earlier. She reported that there was a Land Acquisition
Subcommittee meeting on August 10th followed by a meeting with the Recreation Committee
meeting on August 16th
The Conservation Commission’s Land Acquisition Subcommittee supports the proposed policy
and suggested some changes. l. The Recreation Committee also thought that the policy was a
good idea and had some suggestions. .
Ms. Weiss and Ms. Manz are still waiting to hear from the Historical Commission and the School
Board. Ms. Weiss and Ms. Manz will update the policy with the suggestions that have been
received to date.
4. Consideration of HPB Goals Requested by the Select Board
Ms. Weiss, Ms. Cohen, and Ms. Manz drafted 3 goals. Ms. Hai asked about an additional area for
a goal based on information from other committees for which she is a liaison. Mr. Pressman
pointed out that the intent of the goal gathering is to provide goals for the Select Board. The
proposed goals need to be restated in terms of Select Board goals rather than HPB goals.
Mr. Hornig suggested adding a goal with respect to Fair Housing.
Ms. Hai said the Select Board is working on a process to prioritize the goals received from the
many Town committees. She confirmed that that the SB is asking the committees to suggest
goals for the Select Board.
The HPB agreed that another meeting is needed to deliberate on HPB’s goals for the Select
Board and set August 24 as a special meeting to discuss the goals.
5. New Business
There is no new business.
6. Set Date: September Meeting
The next regular meeting will be on Sept. 28 at 7:00 pm by Zoom.
7. Adjournment
Ms. Weiss moved adjournment; Ms. Cohen seconded the motion.
In favor: Ms. Weiss, Mr. Pressman, Ms. Cohen, Ms. Heitz, Ms. Thompson, Mr. Hornig, Ms.
Manz, Ms. Byrne, Mr. Linton, Ms. Morrison, Ms. Foutter.
Against: none
Abstaining: none
The meeting adjourned at 8:29 pm.