Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-18-LEXHAB-MIN Minutes for February 18, 2009 Present: Bill H, Bill K, Martha, Dave, Gerry and Pat.Absent: Don(out-of town) and Les (ill). Treasurers Report: In lieu of the usual review of bank balances, Gerry passed around new spread sheets showing receipts and outflow for each housing unit, the first results of the new computer and software installed by Karen Iverson.The consensus was that the system is powerful and the potential great as our inventory of housing units grows. Woburn Street: Dave presented an up-date, indicating that the old house is finally down. The cellar hole should be in tomorrow and the cellar poured within a few days. The hope is that the foundation will be in and ready for Minuteman Regional Vocational students upon their return next week from vacation. Ross Road: Pat reported that the prospects for a closing grow dimmer each passing day. Title problems remain,plus a big unknown,namely,the extent of damage to the building from the year-end freeze. Although the Purchase and Sale Agreement has lapsed, the attorney for the owner is aware of our continuing interest in buying the property when, as and if the problems of title and damage are respectively solved and identified. 104 Emerson: The hold-over tenant who has continued to occupy the unit since the closing has not been given notice to vacate; Bill noted that this is beneficial to us as it will not be possible for us to rerent until we have in place the new application guidelines and procedures that are going to be needed in order to cause Emerson, Woburn Street and Ross Road (if we ever get it) to comply with Chapter 40-b. Parker Manor: It was moved by Martha, seconded by Gerry and, following discussion, unanimously VOTED: to forego the $50,000 loan under the HOME program by reason of the program's extensive compliance requirements and the discovery that automatic addition of the 3 units to the 40-b list would not result from approval of the loan which was the reason for our submission for the loan in the first place. CPA Restriction for Parker Units: Pat summarized the results of her work with Town Counsel to produce a restriction, handing out copies of the final draft. Pat indicated that while the restriction is longer than we might have looked for, its provisions are not onerus. The main feature is a set of reporting requirements, but the entity we will end up reporting to is the Town itself, Our leases will need some modification to deal with CPA renewal and tenant notice requirements. The restriction will come before the Selectmen tomorrow evening for approval .Pat presented a vote prepared by her. On motion by Bill Kennedy and seconded by Martha, it was unanimously VOTED: to accept and adopt the restriction as presented and to authorize the Chairman to execute it it in behalf of the Board in whatever form he deems suitable. Bill H. suggested that comments and/or suggestions as to the text of the restriction be forwarded to him by March 4th so that he can sign off on the document by the 5th assuming that ne issues of substance turn up. LEI IAC: Three of the five members of the LEHAC committee then joined the meeting;present were Julie Duncan,Arthur Katz and Doug Mohns. Charlotte Rogers could not attend because of illness and Mary Peterson did not wish to risk the drive back to Lexington from Boston in the snow, Bill reviewed our outline of the kind of subsidy program we have had in mind. Several questions were asked and there was general discussion of the various ways the committee might organize to handle its business. The growing need for emergency housing relief was emphasized by several of us. It was left that the Committee would call a meeting(Julie volunteered to do the arranging) and that at least one of our number would join. Management: Bill.Kennedy reported for the Sub Committee. A revised Job Description was distributed. Bill commented that it has become clear as time has gone on that it is vital that the following functions, among others, be included in the job: Full weekday coverage of the office �w. Preparation of monthly financial reports(operations as well as cash p balances)for use at our meetings Assistance in preparation and presentation of grant applications, summaries, status reports and financial statements in connection with CPA funding of future projects. It was the consensus that the Job Description is broad enough td include ail of the above and that as we begin to meet and talk with applicants, it will become clearer to us as well as to the applicants just which functions simply must become the responsibility of the new Manager and which ones we may better deal with in a different way, as by engagement of consultants. It was resolved that the Sub Committee will meet to administer final polish to the Job Description, at the same time determining the compensation range to be attached to the position of Manager, following which it will advertise the position and conduct interviews with the object of eventually bringing to the Board one or more candidates for final selection. Bill K. asked that final comments and/or suggestions from LexHAB Board Members be communicated to him by March 4th. Housing Specialist: Bill Hays noted that we are already in need of help in dealing with the third of the vital functions listed by Bill Kennedy.In order to be able to report progress to Town Meeting in our efforts to bring 104 Emerson and 300 Woburn Street onto the 40-b list as promised, we need a person with expertise to marry us to the Housing Authority for purposes of tenant qualification and selection. LHA has so far indicated interest in an arrangement of this kind, noting that among other things,the maintenance by us of a second and separate waiting list of applicants would be avoided. But the plan will need to be approved by the DHCD and then the agreement between the Selectmen, LexHAB, the LHA and the CPA Committee will need to be put together and presented to all parties for final approval and adoption. It was resolved to approve the retention of a consultant such as Karen Sonnaberg, committing up to 10 hours of time a month, first to meet our needs, unused time being made available to the Town Planning Department or to the Partnership, all of the foregoing to be as the Chairman deems suitable.It was moved by Martha, seconded and unanimously VOTED that the resolution be approved. The next meeting will be on March 18th. Adjourned at 9:05 p.m.