HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-10-14-FHC-min.pdf ( Fair Housing Committee Minutes 10/ 14/92
Present Gerri Weathers Chairman ; Florence Baturin
Mary Haskell Nicole T Herrmann Bob
Pressman Steve Baran Fair Housing Director
( recorder )
Absent Jim Brannon Peter Brown ; Leona Martin
Minutes of 9/9/92
The Minutes of 9/9/92 were approved with one correction
Chairman Smith did not "decide" that the Fair Housing Committee
should formalize the work it had already begun ; rather , she
"suggested" this be done (3rd line from bottom, 1st page )
Human Rights Committee
Further explorations regarding other municipal groups concerning
with human rights yielded the following from Wellesley
Wellesley has no subpoena power ; when there is an issue
they will bring the parties together (have recently
received their charge ) five-member committee with
representatives of the Board of Selectmen, School
Committee and three townspeople Their purposes are to
( promote understanding of differences and serve as a
resource to residents experiencing discrimination
and from Brookline the Town of Brookline has not used its
subpoena power
Committee members opted for the title Fair Housing/Human
Relations Committee to emphasize its role in helping parties
involved to work things out
In reviewing its various activities in the Human Relations area
to date Committee members catalogued the following
serving as a resource
meeting with aggrieved parties
advising on policy
education
It was thought advisable to expand the Committee' s membership in
view of its anticipated expanded role Possible candidates are
Lexington residents with a special interest in human relations
Judy McClosky ( parent ) , Kevin Swan ( former member of the
Lexington Police Department/African American) , Tina Gaw (asked by
Council on Aging to apply for social worker position with special
reference to doing outreach to Asian community) , Jan Spielman
Fair Housing Committee Minutes 10/ 14/92 Page 2
(Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce/ interest in
disabilities )
Diversity Training
The Committee was desirous of providing the next phase of
diversity training to the Police Department It was felt that
the police more than other employees are called upon to
intervene in situations where there are tension, stress and
hatred Steve was asked to contact Phil Johnston of the Boston
Police Department Community Disorders Unit to explore with him
the possibility of doing training ( see attached article)
Officer Johnston has had extensive experience in issues of
diversity and would embody the police perspective
Social Studies Curriculum
Steve and Nichole reported on diversity training they had
attended for teachers Nichole is planning to attend meetings of
the School Department Social Studies Curriculum Committee
U