HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-24-FHHR-min.pdf FAIR HOUSING AND HUMAN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
MINUTES
3/24/98
Present: Florence Baturin; Ralph Clifford; Beverly Goodridge; Mary Haskell; Stella
Liu; Dan Fenn, Selectmen Liaison; Visitors: Tom Montanan', John
Putnam, Steve Baran, Fair Housing and Human Relations Director
(Recorder)
Absent: Katherine Davis; Michelle Ekanem
Minutes of 2/11/98
The minutes of 2/11/98 were accepted with the exception that a long-range goal was
for Mary Haskell and Michelle Ekanem to meet with Dave Wilson, Director of Personnel
and Administration rather than asking him to come to the Committee. Moreover,
involving the banks, realtors, Town Manager and Dave Wilson was seen as both short
and long-range goals. Their expertise would continue to be of benefit to the efforts of
the Committee.
Warrant Articles Pertaining to LexHab
Warrant Articles 33 43 45 and 53 relating to LexHab were taken up by the Committee.
The Committee took positions to be advanced at Town Meeting. See attachment for
warrant articles, a recommendation in favor of Article 43 and the Committee position
(memorandum from Ralph D Clifford, Chair to Stephen Baran, Staff, dated April 6).
Affirmative Action
Concern was expressed about the School Department's affirmative action procedures. It
was the impression of members of the Committee that the Department goes out of state
to recruit African American candidates while overlooking local candidates.
Diversity Brochure
It was thought that a new edition of the diversity brochure might be in order Area codes
needed to be updated. Targets for distribution include the library corporations and
LexFest! Funding will need to be explored if the brochure is to be renewed. The
computer disk is probably with Bill Kriebel (Council on Aging). Question was raised as
to the motto on the brochure — "Diversity is our Heritage" when it might be more to the
point to state that "Diversity is our Goal."
2
The motion was made and carried that a version of the brochure be photocopied while
Kathryn Davis volunteered to be on a subcommittee that would review the brochure and
its effectiveness, revise the brochure and report back to the Committee on its
effectiveness.
Town Manager
It was agreed that Ralph would invite the Town Manager to a meeting of the Committee
after Town Meeting. The subject would be how to increase diversity in the town. It was
recognized that there was a need for the Town Manager and the Committee to get to
know each other
EEOC Data
It was agreed that Steve Baran would obtain EEOC data from the Town and Mary
Haskell would obtain similar data from the School Department. Copies of the Town
Report would reveal to what extent persons of color were present on Town committees.
Demographics
Ralph Clifford agreed to explore the Internet for pertinent demographics.
Committee Candidates
Tom Montonari and John Putnam were again introduced to the Committee:
Tom Montanan has been living in Lexington for the last 1-Y2 years with a background in
special education. His wife works full-time. Tom works part-time, has just turned 50 and
is interested in new directions. He is not on any current boards. His goals are to create
a multicultural community and society create affordable housing, and enhance job
opportunities. It was unanimously agreed to recommend Tom to the Selectmen to be
made a member of the Committee.
John Putnam was a Moderator in the Town of Acton. Currently he is a resident of
Brookhaven and an advocate of world peace. His interests are human rights and public
service. Question was raised as to whether John was ready to become a member of
the Committee. The vote was five to seven against recommending him to the Board of
Selectmen. A subsequent vote was three to one in favor of accepting him as an
Associate Member with two abstentions
Forthcoming meetings: April 28, May 26.