HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-07-19-LEXHAB-minLexington Housing Assistance Board
Annual Meeting Agenda/ Monthly Board Meeting Minutes
July 19, 2023 4-6 pm – Conducted in the Hudson Room, Cary Hall
Call to Order
A meeting of the Lexington Housing Assistance Board (LexHAB) was called to order at 4:05 pm.
LexHAB board members present were Bob Burbidge, Les Savage, Tara Mizrahi, Henry Liu, Russ
Tanner, Eric Brown, Jonathan Silverstein. Sarah Morrison (LexHAB Executive Director),
Pearlene Varjabedian (LexHAB Housing Director) and Regina Brown (LexHAB Finance Director)
were also in attendance.
Minutes review of Meeting Minutes
A motion was made and seconded to approve June 14, 2023 meeting minutes. All approved.
Reports had been emailed out ahead of meeting
Executive Director Report:
• Purchased 80th property and working on the SHI process. Thank you again to Lester!!
• Have a ribbon cutting- can coordinate as soon as possible. Maybe coordinate with team
photo.
• We are receiving the $50,000 Clean Energy Grant!
• Call to Art with LexArt will go out soon
• Request to repair fence at 1009 Mass Ave- we have a unit at 1003 Mass Ave. The
neighbors own the fence and it is on their property. They have asked if we would pay
for it even though they have not claimed that we have damaged it. Board listened but
politely declined funding it.
Housing Director Report
• Discussions around Minimum Rents and Grandfathered Tenants, Income Verification
and Transfer Policy, Income/rents for new units—Henry, Russ and Tara will look into
more.
• Income Verification- Clarification of income verification policy discussed using HUD 24
CFR 5.609 except for DHCD regulated units which where we will follow DHCD
regulations (pending Jonathan’s approval)- there is only one small difference between
the DHCD regs and the Hud regs.
Treasurer’s Report- Henry
• Want to think about new budget for next year as we look at re -structuring of
organization. Budget 2024 committee needed.
• Cambridge Trust- working to get online banking- should be able to make things more
timely
• Future Rent Structure for units-– Russ, Henry, Tara to look into
• How much cash do we need on hand? Capitalized Reserves- needed. Liquidity Needs
for future development. Liquidity needs to move quickly on some opportunities.
Sustainability- Regina
• Solar- received final proposal from Sun Bug- They came in under budget- have been very
good to work with so far.
Legacy Campaign/Property Development
• Sarah still working with 2 that are still possibilities from the initial interest
• 9 Kimball—pushing for more energy rebates—have only approved insulation—asking
about heating, hot water and roof. We are first on list with Minuteman when they goes
back to school.
• Woburn Street- Les called for lead inspection.
• This Old House—Henry keeps letting them know about LexHab
• Discussion of looking at parcels for multi-unit projects. Look at 6 units maybe- HC units
at first level and walkups. Push one-bedrooms. Farmview units as example. Les and
Eric can work together and Les will go discuss opportunities with the Planning Board
• Looked at a property for development- will discuss in Executive Session
Human Resources
• Need to analyze data and information that Bob has come up with. Reviews are done.
Questions on as we move forward. Health Insurance/ICRA/What else is available out
there. Eric Brown will join Bob.
LexHAB Transition
• Bob testified in June with Carol K and Joe Pato (at State House). Michele Ciccollo
pushing to release it out of committee soon. She thinks that they may want to be
releasing as a batch. She will reach out to the Speaker’s office to see if it can move
quicker.
• MOU Committee—We owe a proposal back to the Town. Group will look to meet in a
few weeks after summer craziness
Community Building Award
• Would be great if we did this every year. What might a process be? Try to make it a
broad brush- easier to keep it going. Could we also do on Patriot’s Day? Les, Bob,
Jonathan
New Business
• Muzzey Board – Bob and Les submitted nomination papers. LexHab owns 12 units out
of 92. Meeting tomorrow night
• Units – Board members would like to see some of the units. Would like to see a variety
of units. Pearlene will schedule something in the next few weeks.
The next meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 6, 2023 @ 4:00pm in
person at the Hudson Room in the Cary Memorial Building.
Motion to Adjourn Open Session at 5:21
The Chair moved to adjourn the Open Session and go into Executive Session to discuss strategies
in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel and with respect to discuss lease or
value of real property that to discuss in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the
negotiating position of the public body. The motion was seconded.
The motion was approved by roll call vote. All approved.