HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-21-AHTBT-min
Page 1 of 2
Affordable Housing Trust
Meeting Minutes of November 21, 2024 1:00 pm
Hybrid meeting on Zoom and attended in-person in Parker Room, Town Office
Building
Affordable Housing Trust Board Members present: Elaine Tung, Chair; William Erickson, Mark
Sandeen, Tiffany Payne, Linda Prosnitz (joined at 1:10 pm)
Staff present: Carol Kowalski, Assistant Town Manager for Development; Liz Rust, RHSO
Director; Ragi Ramachandran, Administrative Assistant
Other attendees: Jillian Barger, Town Counsel
Ms. Tung chaired the hybrid meeting and called the meeting to order at 1:02 pm.
1. Approve Meeting Minutes
Ms. Tung requested a motion to approve the minutes of 10/23/24 meeting. Mr. Erickson moved.
Ms. Payne seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 3-0-1, by a roll call vote (Erickson
– yes, Tung – yes, Payne – yes, Sandeen – abstained). Meeting minutes approved.
2. Chair, Select Board, Board/Committee Liaison and RHSO/staff report
Mr. Erickson shared that the next LexHAB meeting is scheduled for Nov. 26 and requested that a
Trustee attend because he would not be able to attend the meeting. Ms. Tung said she would
attend.
Ms. Payne reported that Lexington Housing Authority’s November meeting was canceled and
their next meeting is in December.
Ms. Tung reported that she had presented the Trust’s application to CPC on Nov. 14. Ms. Tung
will be attending the CPC meeting at 4pm on Nov. 21.
3. MAP Technical Assistance Program
Ms. Kowalski stated that MAPC Technical Assistance Program is not a cash grant, it involves MAPC
staff performing a scope of work for the applicant. The trustees reviewed the specifics and
concluded that the program is not suitable for the Trust.
4. MBTA buydown
Ms. Tung initiated the discussion about development of guidelines for approaching potential
MBTA project developers. Ms. Tung suggested the trustees consider factors such as location, size
of the unit, and affordability levels, for developing the guidelines. Mr. Sandeen stated that the
Trust should start thinking about the Trust’s values and objectives for clarity on what they are
trying to accomplish with this initiative.
Ms. Rust presented the chart with the number of ownership units on SHI in Lexington and its
neighboring communities, highlighting that Lexington has the lowest number of ownership units
on SHI even with the highest number of houses built overall. Ms. Rust advised that the Trustees
consider this fact as the Trustees decide on fund allocation for affordable ownership versus rental
units. Ms. Rust agreed to share the SHI focused analysis chart with the Trustees.
Page 2 of 2
The Trustees will review the Trust Values and discuss the MBTA buydown further at the next
meeting.
5. Resident Support Program
Ms. Tung requested the Rental Assistance working group, and the Sustainability and Utility
working group to come up with program recommendations to present at the Trust meeting in
January.
There were discussions on high utility bills faced by renters and on how programs could fo cus on
the Trust’s mission of providing affordable housing while addressing energy issues.
The Trustees agreed to consider these points and will aim to discuss potential solution by January.
6. Any other business that may properly come before the Trustees w hich could not be
reasonably anticipated
There was discussion on a letter from a tenant in Lexington who was worried about finding
another Lexington home to live in with the new proposed construction at 329 Concord Ave. The
Trustees felt it was important to address the issue at a community level and not just development
by development.
Executive Session
Ms. Tung requested a motion to go into Executive session under Exemption 6 to discuss the
value of real property in connection with Lowell Street Parcel 68-44. The Affordable Housing
Trust Chair stated that an open session might have a detrimental effect on the negotiating
position of the Affordable Housing Trust. Mr. Sandeen moved. Mr. Erickson seconded. The
Trustees voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0, by a roll call vote (Erickson – yes, Tung – yes,
Sandeen – yes, Payne – yes, Prosnitz – yes).
Ms. Tung stated that the Trust will not reconvene in an open session after the Executive session.
The Trustees exited the regular session around 1:36 pm.
List of documents reviewed:
RHSO Chart with number of ownership units on SHI in Lexington and neighboring communities