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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-07-10-FHHR-min.pdf Fair Housing and Human Relations Committee Minutes 7/10/95 Present: Florence Baturiin, Co-Chair; Mary Haskell; Marion Kilson, Co- Chair; Robert Pressman; Dan Fenn, Selectman liaison; Stephen Baran, staff. The meeting was called to clarify Dan Fenn's role as Selectman liaison. Dan Fenn's understanding of his role Dan Fenn saw his role as one of keeping in touch with Committee's concerns; helping the members to make connections within Town government; keeping the Committee in touch with priorities, values and the emotional tone of the Town. As to his role as advocate, he said that he considered diversity very important; around fair housing there was a need to communicate. His other liaison duties included: Business, Sister City Council on Aging Watershed, Hanscom Field and Strategic Planning. Strategic Planning, LexHab Committees and Met State Committee Dan was asked what he had done to advocate for including Fair Housing Committee members on the Strategic Planning, LexHab Committees and Met State Committees. Dan explained that survey questionnaires had gone out a year ago on strategic planning; he thought at this point the process was lagging. Nine members were to be included on the committee. To date, the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen had not acted. He said that it was important to provide strong credibility to LexHab. Therefore, he had been proposing a balanced (pro and con and in the middle) list of candidates including Marion Kilson. As to Met State, he agreed that the Committee should have been represented on main body, not a subcommittee, stated that now he was aware that this was flagged as a concern, he would try to be helpful, agreed that it was unfortunate that there was no housing advocate on that committee. Transfer of land for conservation purposes Bob Pressman explained the process involved in transfer of land for conservation purposes; it seemed to have been a closed process not taking into account the Town's fair housing policy Dan said that he bad not looked at the matter with a wide-enough lens. He had been assigned to follow the matter by the Town Manager but had not given it priority In this kind of matter, timing proved to be very important. LexFest Dan Fenn said that LexFest was a fabulous idea, something that could be carried out profitably and effectively providing opportunities for religious and performing arts groups. The community would be able to learn about L_ the experience of the Chinese and Jewish experiences. It was conceptually very compelling. Fair Housing and Human Relations Committee Minutes, 7/10/95Page 2 Mary Haskell responded that the Committee's concern was one of resources, particularly how Steve Baran's time should be used and the extent to which the project would be advantageous to black citizens. Lexington was already diverse in numbers except for African Americans. It was a huge project. We needed to look at this from a cost-benefit point of view. Dan Fenn responded that the LexFest committee had pulled back from going public while awaiting clarification. Summary In summation, Marion Kitson understood the basic message to be one of communication and timing. Dan Fenn encouraged the members to call.