HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-02-17-LEXHAB-minLexHAB Minutes Feb, 2016
LEXHAB MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting held at the offices of LexHAB at 1620 Massachusetts
Avenue in Lexington on February 17, 2016
Present at the meeting were Bob Burbidge, Vice - Chairman, Gerry Howell, Bill
Hays,Lester Savage, Martha Wood, Donna Leary, Bob Phelan and Henry Liu. Also
present were Pat Nelson, LexHAB counsel, Norman Cohen and Suzie Barry, the
Board of Selectman's liason to LexHAB and Bob Pressman.
The meeting opened at 7:12 a.m.
The Vice - Chairman presided.
1. Minutes
The minutes for the previous meeting on January 13th were reviewed and
unanimously accepted as presented.
2. Annual Meeting
The Secretary (pro tem) presented the following slate of officers to serve until the
next Annual Meeting:
Chairman Bill Kennedy
Vice - Chairman Bob Burbidge
Treasurer Gerry Howell
Assistant Treasurer Donna Leary
Secretary Bill Hays
The Vice - Chairman asked if there were any additional nominees; there being none, he
called for a vote: the slate was accepted by unanimous vote.
The Vice -Chair then asked if there was any further business to be taken up during
this phase of the meeting; there were no suggestions.
3. Financials
The Treasurer presented the customary reports, noting that receipts are in line with
those for the month of January one year ago as were out -flows save for maintenance and
repairs which are slightly higher reflecting roof work on several units.
The financial statements were then unanimously accepted.
4. Background Information for new Members
The Vice -Chair noted that several members of the Board have suggested that new
members might find it useful to know how LexHAB came to be and how it has
functioned. He said that Bill Hays has offered to hold a briefmg session which
will happen shortly.
5. LEHAC
Gerry Howell reported that although he was originally designated as LexHAB's
liason to LEHAC (Lexington Emergency Housing Action Committee), he has over time
become a member of LEHAC. He stated that most requests come to or through Charlotte
Rogers, Lexington's Director of Human Services. He further pointed out that among
Lexington's agencies available for housing assistance, LEHAC is singular in its ability
to respond to crises and emergencies as they arise, usually within 2 hours.
6. Monitoring of Housing Units
The Vice - Chairman noted that Bob Phelan has offered to visit each of our housing
units to make sure that we have (a) captured the significant data such as expirationlof
appliance warranties , likely run -out of the useful life of heating systems etc., need for
roof and siding replacement and need for upgrades such as to window enclosures and (b)
found a way to computerize the resulting data into schedules for action pre crisis.
Bob commented that he is moving toward finish of his inventory review.
Bob also complimented John Biggin for his attention to our (and our tenant's) needs 24 -7
in an organized and diligent fashion.
It was noted that the result of Bob's efforts may be the construct of a schedule of
replacement - upgrade work that (a) will not come as a surprise to us as the demand occurs
and (b) which can be inserted in projections for budget purposes
7. Busa Farm
Pat Nelson reported that the closing is in sight and that the draft deed for set -of of our
housing parcel has been completed and forwarded to John Newman.
Town Counsel has identified the documents that will need to be signed on our part;
Pat Nelson will see to our compliance.
8. Fairview
A. New Building
Lester reported that framing has begun.
The question was asked: is there in place an upset figure for the cost of the new 3-
unit building. Lester said that an agreed figure is in place.
B. Rehab of Existing House
Lester reported that the house has been stripped to its studs, this being the most
practical handling of the old -new match.
Existing wiring has been removed. Asbestos and lead - paints have now been
pulled out. Students from the program can now work at the site within the building.
A proposal for the new kitchen has come in on favorable terms.
9 Keeler Farm
Pat Nelson is working on the proposed deed.
There will be a restriction on our title but the restriction will not appear in our deed.
Instead it will be the result of an agreement between adjoining owners (or an association
of and among present adjoining owners).
A question was asked as to fmancing. It was reported in answer that we would try to
secure as many of Home Funds as may be available and that any short-fall would be
covered by CPA funding.
10. Wright Farm
Pat Nelson reported that the closing between the original owners and the Town has
now taken place but that the set -off of our affordable housing parcel would happen later
on.
In the meantime, LexHAB should expand its insurance coverage and otherwise
safeguard the building as it would be difficult to determine if a loss occurred who is the
insurred.
It was noted that the property is treated by the Town as within the "single family
residence zone ". Pat will check to see whether our affording parcel will meet the
minimum area requirements for this zone. The alternative might be a friendly 40 -b
application or perhaps a variance request to the Board of Appeals.
11. Task Forces
A. Guideline/Rules Task Force
Henry Liu reported that his group has met and identified a number of policy
statements of considerable antiquity.
The objective will be to republish the same in easily retrievable form and
also to integrate such of the Fair Housing policies as may apply to LexHAB.
B. Management Task Force
The first objective should be to bring our office software into the 20th
century if not the 20. The Vice Chairman made a number of suggestions which may lead
toward a replacement of our office systems with something better.
It was moved, seconded and unanimously voted to authorize the Task
Force to replace, up to a limit of $5,000, the office equipment presently being utilized.
12. New Business
None
13. Next Meeting
The next meeting of LexHAB will be on the 9th day of March, 2016 at 1620 Mass.
Ave. in Lexington.
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,
and might also affect adversely the privacy rights of tenants and that the Board not return
to open session at the end thereof except to adjourn.
The time was then 8: 45 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Secretary