HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-08-LHRC-min
Town of Lexington Human Rights Committee
Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, January 08, 2025
LHRC MEMBERS PRESENT
Christina Lin, Chair (CL); Stephanie Hsu, Vice-Chair (SH); Stephanie Ryan (SR); Rachel Levy (RL);
Larry Freeman (LF) - Lexington Public School District Representative; Colleen Dunbar, Lexington Police
Representative (CD); Dana Bickleman, Lexington Human Services (DB);
Liaisons in attendance - Mark Sandeen, Select Board (MS); Juanica Buchanan (JB); Hemali Shah (HS)
Guests: Elaine Tung (ET) and Linda Prosnitz (LP), Affordable Housing Trust
The minutes recorded by Christina Lin
1. Welcome/Call to order -9:06am
2. MLK Day updates and finalizing plans
a. Committee members to man the activator table - LF, RL, CD
b. Table for Native Americans of Lexington- SR
c. Community Conversation on Race - This program did not happen as part of MLK Day
this year and committee members considered organizing one for Thursday, March 6,
2025 , This is during Ramadan, after local elections, before Purim,
3. LHRC Charge
a. Amend the proposed LHRC Charge to reflect feedback from Select Board discussion
from their December 16, 2024 meeting. Video of the discussion can be seen on
LexMedia starting at 2:20:03 - 2:42:40.
4. Housing, Elaine Tung and Linda Prosnitz from the Affordable Housing Trust gave a
presentation about issues around housing affordability. The cost burden for renting in
lexington is at 50%, while home ownership cost burden is just under 25%.
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
The presentation advocated for preserving and supporting development of Affordable
Housing. Article 2 -STM will be coming up and it’s proposed zoning amendment may have
a negative impact on development of affordable housing. The Affordable Housing Trust
aims to buydown properties to be developed as affordable housing.
5. Roundtable Summary - we didn’t have the virtual version, should we plan for one?
6. Chair and Member updates
a. Donations from LICA and First Parish
b. LHRC sponsorship support for Parent Academy:
c. Member updates
i. Larry Freeman - Student Blaize - LaSalle College Sophomore attended past
meeting; interviewed about LHRC - Larry will see if we can share the report;
Update on the Hindu curriculum raised at METCO SC meeting
ii. MS - Citizens Petition for MBTA Zoning - special Town Meeting will be held
Feb 3
Meeting Adjourned
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420