HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-23-AHTBT-min
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Affordable Housing Trust
Meeting Minutes of May 23, 2024 1:00 pm
Hybrid meeting on Zoom and attended in-person in Parker room, Town office
building
Affordable Housing Trust Board Members present: Elaine Tung, Chair; William Erickson, Tiffany
Payne, Mark Sandeen, Linda Prosnitz (joined at 1:17pm)
Staff present: Carol Kowalski, Assistant Town Manager for Development; Ragi Ramachandran,
Administrative Assistant; Stephanie Dubanowitz, Town Counsel
Other attendees: Bob Pressman
Ms. Tung chaired the hybrid meeting and called the meeting to order at 1:03 pm.
1. Approve Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes approval was postponed to next meeting.
2. Chair, Select Board, Board/Committee Liaison and RHSO/staff report
Mr. Erickson shared that LexHAB thanked the Affordable Housing Trust for help with their
purchase of 50 Valleyfield St. There was a water leak at 497 Massachusetts Ave that might require
a gut rehabilitation and LexHAB is in the process of working it out. Mr. Erickson added that
LexHAB continues to work through the challenges with the State on their transition to becoming
a non-profit organization.
Ms. Payne reported that Lexington Housing Authority will have their next Board meeting in the
beginning of June.
3. Parcel 68-44 Timeline
Ms. Tung reported that she presented the RFP process timeline to Select Board on May 20th. Ms.
Tung asked for Select Board’s input regarding notifying appropriate Town Boards and
Committees, Commissions, Staff, and neighbors. The Select Board would like to review and
approve the draft RFP on June 3rd before it is circulated to the wider Town boards, committees,
commissions, town meeting members and community.
The Town Manager had shared with the Trust the list of Boards and Committees deemed
appropriate to receive and provide comments on the RFP.
Mr. Sandeen suggested adding Greenways Corridor Committee, Bicycle Advisory Committee and
Transportation Advisory Committee to the list.
Assuming the Select Board approves the draft RFP, the draft RFP will be available for the boards,
committees, commissions, town meeting members, and community review on June 4th. The
Trustees reviewed their approach to gathering input on the draft RFP and incorporating the
comments received.
4. Any other business that may properly come before the Trustees which could not be
reasonably anticipated
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Ms. Tung reported that Margaret Heitz had emailed about the real estate transfer fee legislation
and that the Speaker of the House is opposed to it. State Representative, Michelle Ciccolo had
expressed concern to Ms. Heitz that there won’t be enough votes for the transfer fee legislation
to be included as part of Governor’s bond bill. Ms. Heitz requested the Trust’s support by sending
a letter to the legislature emphasizing the importance of real estate transfer fees to address the
affordable housing crisis.
Mr. Sandeen moved that the Affordable Housing Trust authorize the Chair to write a letter
supporting passage of the transfer fee legislation to Representative Ciccolo. Ms. Prosnitz
seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0, by a roll call vote (Erickson – yes,
Prosnitz – yes, Tung – yes, Payne – yes, Sandeen – yes).
Executive Session:
Ms. Tung requested a motion to go into Executive session under Exemption 6 to discuss the
value of Parcel 68-44. The Affordable Housing Trust Chair stated that an open session might
have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the town. M r. Sandeen moved. Ms.
Prosnitz seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0, by a roll call vote (Erickson
– yes, Prosnitz – yes, Tung – yes, Payne – yes, Sandeen – yes).
Ms. Tung stated that the Trust will reconvene in the open session at the end of the Executive
session.
The Trustees reconvened in the public session at the end of the Executive session at 3:35 pm. All
Trustees except Ms. Payne was present.
Mr. Sandeen moved that the Affordable Housing Trust approve the draft recommended RFP to
the Select Board. Mr. Erickson seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 4-0-0, by a
roll call vote (Erickson – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Tung – yes, Sandeen – yes).
Mr. Sandeen moved to adjourn the meeting of the Affordable Housing Trust. Ms. Prosnitz
seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 4-0-0, by a roll call vote (Erickson – yes,
Prosnitz – yes, Tung – yes, Sandeen – yes). The meeting adjourned at 3:39 pm.
List of documents reviewed:
Proposed list of Boards, Committees and Commissions for RFP comments