HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-11-17-FHHR-min.pdf FAIR HOUSING AND HUMAN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
MINUTES
11/17/99
Present:Florence Baturin; Margaret Cole,Co-Chair; Jean Hibino; Keng Nan Hsu;Tom Montanan, Co-
Chair; Jed Snyder; Steve Baran, Fair Housing Director
Absent:Cathy Abbott, Selectman Liaison; Ralph Clifford, Chair;Michelle Ekanem; Beverly Goodridge;
Kathynn Davis
1. September 15 Minutes—correction by Florence Baturin that work was going forward with the
Minuteman around doing a monthly column on diversity Different groups would take responsibility
for doing the column.
2. October 20 minutes were accepted.
3 Tom Montanan and Margaret Cole commented on the importance of there being continuity of
attendance at meetings of the Fair Housing Committee. They will continue to call people to remind
them of meetings. Should Committee meet when there is no quorum, recognizing that people s lives
are complicated, or not meet?Those unable to attend should notify the co-chairs or Steve Baran.
4 The Committee was encouraged to adopt two priorities for the year Among the possibilities suggested
were:
5 Brochure and web site:Names of individuals are to be avoided. Web site location, to be investigated
by Steve,to be featured on brochure.Eliminate names and phone numbers, except for town and
school. Add e-mail address. Steve, Ken and Kathy to complete the project. Committee members were
asked to provide feedback on current draft.Bill Kriebel of the Council on Aging has agreed to ready
the draft for printing. Tom Montanan will talk with Cathy Abbott about possibilities for funding
printing.
6. Coalition building: Possibilities include: Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club,the Coalition for
Racial Equality the Enablement Committee,the Affirmative Action Committee,the Chinese-
American Association, the Chinese Language School, fair housing committees in Arlington and
Bedford.
7 Affordable housing: Possible initiatives include: recruiting black realtors as members of the
Committee; raising awareness that there is an affordable housing problem;pursuing linkage of
affirmative action efforts with need for affordable housing, as in recruiting minority teachers.
8 Awards and other publicity praiseworthy individuals should be rewarded. Their pictures should be
submitted to the Minuteman. The awards might be given out during a breakfast reception to be held in
April as part of Fair Housing month.
9 Christmas party scheduled for December 15 as part of regular business meeting. Members may bring
anything they like. Margaret will coordinate the event.
10 Margaret praised Jed's letter to Minuteman on community building. He will share this with the
Committee.
11. Steve will contact lesbian couple who were hate crime victims. He will ask them if they would like to
attend a meeting of the Fair Housing Committee during the new year
12. The Committee agreed to invite Richard S. McGhee, Jr. Coordinator, Human Rights Commissions of
Massachusetts, to the February meeting. He represents the Mass. Commission against Discrimination
which is seeking to recruit fair housing commissions and committees to undertake screening of fair
housing complaints.
Personal/flunin