HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-05-17-HSC-min.pdf Special Needs Committee Minutes
May 17 1988
Present Meghan 0 Neal Chairman Marion Shepp; John
and Anne Davies Harvey Lowell and Bob
Cushman, Co-Chairmen Human Services
Committee Steve Baran Human Services
Coordinator
1 Organizing to become non-profit
Marion has talked with Bill Crane Deputy Director of
the Disability Law Center who advised that a large law
firm could help the Committee achieve a non-profit
status free of charge as part of its pro buena work
Rick Safford has also been consulted Meghan will talk
with a contact at Ropes and Gray Bob Cushman did not
think that a lawyer was necessary
2 Wood Street Property
John Davies has investigated the history of the Wood
Street property by making inquiries at the Building
Department and the Board of Appeals The Building
Commissioner views this as an illegal occupancy and it
has been so for many years The property has _hanged
hands twice
The property needs roof work and getting rid of an
tank
There is interest among Committee members in acquiring
the property
John will furnish a written report
Committee members accompanied by Chuck Howard, met
with LexHab LexHab was sympathetic to the aims of
the group but not prepared to commit money The State
Innovative Housing Program requires a sponsor The
options include athe State paying 100% of the property
or 80% Other sources of income would be SSI Chap
707 and Mass Department of Mental Health
LexHab seems to see expanding the stock of affordable
housing as its goal and may have to be ruled out as a
vehicle through which the group can obtain special
needs housing
The Housing Authority may be limited in that it may
apply for 689 funds which require substantial control
by State agencies working to the disadvantage of people
born and brought up in Lexington
Harvey Lowell advised the group to become incorporated
in order to put it in a position to support those of
its members wishing to acquire the Wood Street property
and make it possible in the future to do fund raising
and seek housing for people born or brought up in
Lexington Its mission would be to create housing
options for citizens with special needs
In relation to the option of becoming incorporated it was
suggested that the group might become part of another group
with a similar mission i e the Lexington Friends
Harvey further suggested that it might be possible
through the Planning Board to make special needs a part
of any new new affordable housing initiative
3 Resianation of Chairperson
3 Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday June 14 in
Room G 15