HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-09-026LEXHAB-min.pdf r `- RECE,VF( r r
SELECTMEN
LEXHABi. I is i;] 1984 L
Minutes of the Meeting of September 26, 1984
Present Jean Gaudet, Dave Eagle, Bill Kennedy, Bill Hays, Don Wilson, Linda
Conrad, Bea Phear
Dave Eagle reported that the current balance in the Mass Municipal Depository
Trust is $240,364 64.
Appeal
There was an initial meeting with the arbitrators Steve Politi, Mike Brown, and
Alfred Busa. At that time Penny Haggerty presented her case and Bill Hays and
Dave Eagle presented LexHAB's position. The arbitration panel has set its next
meeting for October 2nd. It is hoped there will be a decision made at that time
There was discussion about the substantial delays involved in arbitration Bill
Kennedy suggested that it is always slow, and LexHAB should avoid it whenever
possible Jean suggested setting a time limit for future arbitrations Bill
Hays pointed out that the Board of Selectmen would have to amend the agreement
if a time limit were to be set. It was thought that, if LexHAB were successful
this time, there might be no further arbitrations, and an amendment suggestion
to the Board was premature
The same arbitration process works for appeals of rental decisions made by
LexHAB As landlords, LexHAB makes its policies, but the difference is that
there is judgement allowed.
Potter Pond
Jean had asked Bob Hutchinson for an update of the status of Potter Pond, but he
had not gotten back to her Bea also tried to find out the status but had no
information. Bea will continue to ask. If the money is to come to LexHAB on
a per-unit basis, as they are sold, there may be no need to get interim financing;
however it is delayed, LexHAB must start talking to banks.
Staffing
Jean talked to Jim McLaughlin about having staff assistance through the Lexington
Housing Authority Apparently Rita Sullivan, the Executive Director, is reluctant,
which leads Jean to think LexHAB might look elsewhere The LHA Board is in
favor of a joint staffing arrangement Don Wilson will get clarification within
a month.
Bill Hays suggested that the condo documents and by-laws should be examined to
check that tenants could complain directly to the resident manager, rather than
always having to go through LexHAB Bea will try to get drafts of these
documents [Note Marilyn Mairson does not have them. We will have to wait for
Kirk's return. ]
Buyers
We have received 20 more names from Marilyn Mairson. She will be collecting the
affidavits from them on September 29 and October 1 At those times she will
sign them up for their LexHAB certification interviews LexHAB decided to
do these interviews on Wednesday, octdber 10, starting at 7 00 pm. It is
expected that there will be approximately 8-10 who will be interviewed.
Conrad, Eagle and Kennedy volunteer to do this interview session. [It will
be in room 201, Public Works. ]
Tenant Selection
Bea discussed some of her ideas about tenant selection and distributed
summary sheets She said the concept of translating assets into "effective
income" came from a system in Palo Alto California that had been presented
at the Planning Board's housing conference two years ago Bill Hays suggested
inviting Ellie Klauminzer to a meeting to expand on the idea.
Bea's suggestions included setting a maximum income somewhat higher than
the section 8 guidelines, but using a priority weighing system to give
greater priority to those with lower incomes Similarly priority weights
could be assigned to target populations such as Lexington affiliation,
racial minority, physicalldisability, or unusual medical circumstances The
number of points assigned to certain characteristics could be refined or
rearranged, but Bea does recommend the concept
If the goal is to reach somewhat deeper into the need group than the sales
effort, she recommends counting all sources of income and using a 50% asset
inclusion, after a $5,000 per person exemption. The eligibility for buyers
does not address assets, and exempts non-taxible income such as social security
The Selectmen will have to approve any recommendations by LexHAB It was
queried whether there could be an informal discussion with the Selectmen
regarding the concept of addressing assets prior to LexHAB's making a
recommendation.
There was discussion as to whether LexHAB's rental guidelines would apply to
those owners who were granted permission to rent privately It was felt that
the LexHAB guidelines might be too stringent, as an owner could be expected
to need to meet his mortgage and expenses
Bill Kennedy suggested that LexHAB set a target date for making recommendations
Lexington Interfaith
street
Bill Hays said Interfaith owns six Garfield, units that were built with
MHFA financing Now there is a proposal to make them cooperative, leaving
the MHFA mortgage intact. But if Interfaith goes out of business, they need
a repository for their equity at the end of the mortgage and is interested
in transferring this to LexHAB. There must be a non-profit to rescue to
copperative by the MHFA regulations This light interest LexHAB.
Bill Hays thought it would also be useful to let it be known that LexHAB is
interested in exploring ideas beyond Muzzey
a
By laws
Bill Hays distributed draft by-laws for discussion at the next meeting They
do not include a section on purpose, since that is already covered in the
legislation.
Next Meeting - Wednesdays
October 10, 7.00 pm, room 201 - interviews by Conrad, Kennedy, and Eagle
October 17, 8 00 pm, room 201 - regular meeting
Respectfully submitted,
Beatrice Phear
Note I asked Bob Hutchinson about the Potter Pond status In his conversation
with Bill Smith last week, there were three units close to sale at approximately
$150,000 Bob does not know if any of those purchase and sale agreements have
actually been signed, but will talk to Smith again soon. Bea understood that
the money will go to LexHAB on a per unit basis, and that the sale of five
units ought to be enough to cover the Muzzey purchase