HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-10-18-FHHR-min.pdf Fair Housing and Human Relations Committee
Minutes
10/18/95
Present: Florence Baturin; Ralph Clifford; Michelle Waters-Ekanem, Co-Chair;
Donnalee Farris; Mary Haskell, Co-Chair; Robert Pressman, Co-Chair; Dan
Fenn, Selectman; Stephen Baran, Fair Housing and Human Relations Director
(recorder)
Absent: James R. Brannon; Susan Cusack; Marion D de B. Kilson; Leona Martin;
Ernest Tsai
Minutes of 7/10, 7/11, and 8/8
Approved.
Minutes of 9/12/95
Approved.
Memberships: acceptance of Marion Kilson as Associate Member; welcome Ralph
Clifford and Sue Cusack as new members; review candidacy of Lois Coit
Marion Kilson was accepted as an Associate Member Ralph Clifford and Susan Cusack were
welcomed as new Committee members. Dan Fenn reported that Lois Coit had rejected
suggestion that she become a member of the Committee due to family obligations. A search
for an additional candidate will continue with emphasis on locating a person of color
Report on Franklin School: site visit by Steve Baran
Steve Baran reported that he had made a site visit just before the meeting to the Franklin
School which presented a good appearance. A tenant he encountered reported that the
development had had a run-down appearance until recently when an (MHFA) inspection was
made. Steve commented further that the manager seemed interested in the welfare of the
tenants and knew of only one light that was not functioning. Lighting continued to be a
matter of concern to the Committee. Steve will check with Paul Marshall in a continuing
effort to locate land disposition agreement document.
Steve also reported that a Mexican-American and African-American tenant had an altercation
with the latter threatening violence and making derogatory remarks concerning her ethnic
ancestry The police were planning to prosecute according to G.L. c. 265, par 39 There
was some discussion about the twin implications of this law relating to intimidation and civil
rights.
Fair Housing/Human Relations Committee Minutes
10/18/95
Page 2
Fair Housing and Human Relations plan
Mary Haskell asked if the Committee wished to pursue a plan that would continue and make
explicit its earlier emphasis on problems of African-Americans. It was noted that this group
remained as a small proportion of all racial-ethnic groups from one decade to the next. A
letter to the Minuteman recruiting new members dated 7/11/95 had alluded to the
Committee's particular interest in "enhancing housing opportunities for minorities,
particularly African-Americans, in Lexington." Were homeless families being received into
Lexington housing (Steve to obtain Lexington Housing Authority Tenant Selection Plan)?
On the other hand, Sue Cusack was concerned about the needs of the developmentally
disabled who had become a protected group in the Town's recently amended Fair Housing
Resolution. Also, Hispanic individuals were similarly under-represented in Lexington. Should
the Committee consider problems of the Chinese and invite Sharyn Wong Chan or Stella
Liu?
Ralph Clifford, as a new member, was asked to comment on plans for the Committee. His
priority was for more public relations and basic data gathering. If a particular group has not
( been included in fair housing, why not? The Committee should undertake an unbiased survey
under professional auspices (Dan Fenn will inquire at the Joint Center for Urban Studies)
With a small population of 310 black people, all could be in the survey
Furthermore, racial incidents may be used as a vehicle of information, e.g., the recent
altercation between a Black man and a Mexican-American woman. A lesson could be derived
that would raise consciousness. A recent letter to the editor from the Committee resulted in
an editorial. Letters to the editor and editorials do get read.
Ralph commented that he was appalled at how rigidly segregated he found the Boston area
compared to other places--Colorado and North Carolina--where he had lived. Housing costs
and transportation pose additional barriers.
The Committee is looking forward to hearing from Sue Cusack next time.
Fair Housing Brochure--Florence Baturin
It was agreed that a new brochure would be designed with Florence Baturin taking the
coordinator role. Donnalee Farris and Bob Pressman will assist her