HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-02-15-HSC-min.pdf Minutes , Human Services Committee
February 15 , 1988
Present Harvey Lowell , Chairman; Bob Cushman, Co-Chairman ;
Sheila Martin ; Renee Cochin ; Sylvia Perlman ; Semour
Mandel ; Stephen Baran, Human Services Coordinator
This meeting was convened for the purpose of planning an infor-
mational forum on the feasibility of equity sharing (see attached
debriefing session charts from Abt Associates)
Comments were made that more persons who would be representative
of the political climate in town should have been interviewed
and that the assumptions underlying the different options needed
to be clearly set forth in the Abt Associates report
It was felt that Lexington was very conservative on the subject
of bond issues and that while housing was valued other purposes
would compete for the same funds The costs of floating a bond
issue were high
There was some discussion of a timetable for a process to go
forward during which the merits of syndication and equity sharing
could be discussed If economics and politics dictated that no
action be taken at this time , the market might be expected to
remain stable during the next 12 months
This led to the question of whether a climate could be created
for equity sharing and the additional question of when a forum
should be held and whether more than one forum might be needed
Renee Cochin was in favor of postponing the forum until later
in the Spring allowing more time for planning and inviting
one or more good speakers This would allow time to bring to-
gether a number of possible sponsors including the Lexington
Housing Authority , LexHAB , the Committee with Special Needs ,
the Enablement Committee , the Equity Sharing Committee , the
Fair Housing Committee , the Lexington Clergymen , the Human
Services Committee , the Fair Housing Committee , the Town Meeting
Members ' Association and the Planning Board The Emerson Gardens
Tenants ' Association was seen as possibly forming the nucleus
of an action system for carrying the planning forward
Planning steps for a forum included further meetings on planning ,
making the planning a coalition effort , attracting speakers and
locating a responsible entity to carry forward equity sharing
planning This should be a Town agency concerned with housing
The advisability of a motion for equity sharing at Town Meeting
was debated
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Respectfully Submitted,
Stephen Baran,
Human Services Coordinator