HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-03-21-FHHR-min.pdf MINUTES - 3/21/01
FAIR HOUSING AND HUMAN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Present: Florence Baturin, Margaret Cole, Beverly Goodridge, Jean Hibino, Thomas
Montanari, Chang-Sheng Ting, and Steve Baran(Staff).
Absent: Jeff Collins, Michelle Ekanem, Jed Snyder Pat Taylor, and Cathy Abbott
(Liaison)
Recorder for the meeting: Margaret Cole
The meeting was called to order at 8 p.m. by Co-Chair Tom Montanari A quorum was
present.
1. Minutes - 2/28/01 - approved with the following corrections
Present: Chang-Sheng Ting's name misspelled.
.Absent: Beverly Goodridge name omitted.
.3rd Para. Florence Baturin pointed out stats may be incorrect, asked Steve
Baran to correct in final copy
5th Para. Partnership. typo -It5s, correction - It's.
2. Baturin distributed a handout from the Museum of Our National Heritage for the
Roxbury Artists 20001 exhibit.
3 Locke Visit - report by Tom Montanari. Montanari met with Marshall Derby
(LexHab) regarding a resident's complaint of harassment. He reported that Derby did not
feel this situation needed Committee intervention at this time as it had "cooled down"
since the incident report. No other action will be taken unless LexHab requests it.
4 Committee Membership Cole reported the Committee frequently has difficulties
making decisions on important issues due to lack of quorum. She suggested the
Committee consider sending a letter to the two persons who have not attended the last
three meetings and have not called in advance to explain their absence, explaining the
problem to them and asking them if they were still interested in remaining on the
Committee. She felt they are still very valuable resources for the Committee and perhaps
could be put in an Associate's category thus allowing the Committee to replace them
with two active members.She emphasized our need at this time to have a quorum at each
meeting in order to conduct business effectively After a brief discussion, the Committee
voted to approve this motion, and asked Steve Baran to write the letter
Baturin reported that the Town Report lists Jed Snyder as having resigned from the
Committee. Montanari said Jed had, at first, thought he would resign, then decided to
remain on the Committee until his term expired in the summer
1
Page 2
( 5 Report on Regional Housing Conference: Montanari and Baturin both reported a
successful conference, with 150 registrants, much more than they had anticipated.
Baturin emphasized that they were able to accommodate all registrants, that there were
ample supplies of food and space, and that she felt Middlesex Community College had
done an outstanding job in this respect. Baturin also reported that the College was very
happy with the conference, the quality of participants, and the opportunity to work with
the surrounding communities. They would like to do this sort of community work again.
Baturin complimented some of the presenters, particularly Jane Wallace Gumble, Steve
Hanna, and Gene Clerkin, on their excellent participation. She felt the Bedford Housing
Model was particularly useful to the participants in showing how strategies, local and
state political knowledge, and current programs were brought together in this one model.
Their creative use of the state's Community Preservation Act (CPA) persuaded voters in
their own town to adopt it, thus providing matching funds for affordable housing as well
as for the other two categories.
Chang-Shen Ting and Beverly Goodridge, who had also attended the conference as
Committee representatives, agreed with this evaluation.
Montanari led a discussion on the merits of having such a housing fund available to
Lexington. He asked for Committee input in working towards a fund similar to
Bedford's, and towards a ballot article in Spring 2002 that would ask voter approval.
Montanan will draft a strategy plan for this project and present to Committee.
Committee voted to approve this action.
6 Future Directions: Following up on the conference report, Cole distributed a list of
housing planning authorities, their meeting dates, and contact persons. She asked that
each member choose a committee to monitor as a way for the Committee to keep up-to-
date with all planning for housing during this crucial year, and to develop a network of
support for comprehensive planning and support for the 2002 ballot article.
Meeting ended at 9.35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Margaret Cole
Recorder for 3/21/01 Meeting