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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-07-14-FHHR-min.pdf FAIR HOUSING AND HUMAN RELATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 14, 1998 Present: Ralph Clifford, Chair; Florence Baturin and Tom Montanari, committee members; Bensen Chiou, Marina Smith, Peg Cole, visitors; Steve Baran, Fair Housing Director Absent: Sue Cusack, Michelle Ekanem, Beverly Goodridge, Mary Haskell, Marion Kilson, Stella Liu, Kathryn Davis; Dan Fenn Minutes of 5/26/98 and 6/23/98 Lacking a quorum, a decision on the minutes of 5/26 and 6/23, which were reviewed with no corrections, was postponed until a future meeting when there would be a quorum. Recruitment of new members Ralph Clifford announced that letters would go out to brokers inviting them to participate on the committee. It was noted that a notice put in the Minuteman had attracted potential members. It was agreed to review applicants at the first meeting in September (see list of members for potential members). American Association of University Women —Affirmative Action Florence Baturin announced that the American Association of University Women was continuing to pursue its goal of increasing diversity in local towns through affirmative action. This was taking place in Lexington, Bedford and Concord. In each town, among the questions being posed were: Is there an affirmative action plan? Has the affirmative action plan been reviewed? Copies of reports to the Equal Employment Opportunity Council were being requested. Affirmative Action Review Ralph Clifford stated that the Town Manager had delegated to Linda Vine, Assistant Town Manager, the responsibility for responding to questions about affirmative action raised by the Fair Housing and Human Relations Committee. A meeting of the committee with Linda Vine had been arranged for the week of August 17 Ralph further commented that he intended to invite Michelle Ekanem and Mary Haskell, members of the Fair Housing and Human Relations Committee, to this meeting since they had already had a meeting with David Wilson of the School Department to discuss similar questions. The meeting would cover such issues as outreach advertising and applications for employment. 2 It was understood that the Town had destroyed a number of past copies of reports to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Steve Baran said that he would contact the Mass. Commission against Discrimination to see if they retained copies of reports at the state level. Ralph Clifford said that if this attempt was unavailing, he would go directly to the EEOC at the federal level, but this would entail certain costs. Ralph Clifford stated that he did not expect a report to the Selectmen from the committee would be ready in early fall as had been expected. Steve Baran suggested that a preliminary report might be useful, and there was some discussion of how a report that would compare Lexington affirmative action with Arlington might be useful for descriptive purposes. Steve Baran reported that Dan Fenn was interested in obtaining names of people of color whom he could approach as he became aware of openings on town committees. Steve relayed Dan Fenn's suggestion of encouraging committee members to consider names of interested persons. He said he would seek names with the help of Peg Cole of LexiFest! and Mary Haskell of the Coalition for Racial Equality A committee to recruit volunteers was suggested, also that a list of committees together with committee goals might be sent to organized groups of citizens such as the League of Women Voters by way of soliciting minority candidates. It was recalled that the League did sponsor a seminar on how to run for Town Meeting, but it was held the night before signatures were due. LexHab Ralph Clifford reported that he was still trying to reach Marshall Derby, LexHab chair Committee budget Steve Baran reported that there might be funds available to cover certain committee expenses and that committees were being encouraged to submit budgets. Florence Baturin recalled that the Town had previously paid $1,000 for training. It was suggested that the Town might pay for an event, travelling expenses and the like. Tom Montanari agreed to meet with Steve Baran to discuss a budget.