HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-08-AHTBT-min.pdf
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Affordable Housing Trust
Meeting Minutes of October 8, 2025 1:00 pm
Hybrid meeting on Zoom and attended in-person in the Select Board Meeting
Room, Town Office Building
Affordable Housing Trust Board Members present: Elaine Tung, Chair; Linda Prosnitz, William
Erickson, Mark Sandeen, Tiffany Payne (joined at 1:36 pm)
Staff present: Carol Kowalski, Assistant Town Manager for Development; Kiruthika
Ramakrishnan, Office Manager; Elizabeth Rust, RHSO Director, joined the meeting in progress
during item 4
Ms. Tung chaired the hybrid meeting and called the meeting to order at 1:04 pm.
Ms. Tung moved to go into Executive session under Exemption 6 to consider the purchase or
lease of real property regarding the MBTA Multi-Family Development Buy-downs. The
Affordable Housing Trust Chair stated that, in her opinion, an open session would have a
detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Town and Affordable Housing Trust. Ms.
Tung stated that the Trust will reconvene in an open session after the Executive session. Ms.
Prosnitz seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 4-0-0, by a roll call vote (Erickson
– yes, Sandeen – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Tung – yes).
The Trust exited the open session at 1:07 pm, and reconvened in open session at 1:36 pm.
1. Approve Meeting Minutes
Ms. Tung requested a motion to approve the Executive session minutes of 8/20/25 and open
session minutes of 8/20/25, 9/4/25, 9/11/25 and 9/16/25 AHT meetings. Mr. Sandeen moved.
Mr. Erickson seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0, by a roll call vote
(Erickson – yes, Payne – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Sandeen – yes, Tung – yes). Meeting minutes
approved.
2. Chair, Select Board, Board/Committee Liaison and RHSO/staff report
Mr. Erickson reported that LexHAB has selected a contractor for constructing 26 Douglas Street
ADU. LexHAB plans to examine their sites with long-term tenants, for potential redevelopment,
at the time of tenants’ turnover. LexHAB will submit their own application to CPC for FY27.
Ms. Prosnitz reported that the Housing Partnership Board discussed housing policies at their last
meeting.
Ms. Payne reported that Lexington Housing Authority discussed pre-development of the
scattered sites. LHA were in a shortfall with issuing new Section 8 vouchers at this time.
Mr. Sandeen mentioned that the Select Board has approved Article 11 in Special Town Meeting
to update the language on LexHAB’s reorganization as required by the State.
Ms. Kowalski stated that the Housing Partnership Board and LexHAB roundtable discussion is
scheduled for Oct. 30, 2025. Ms. Tung added that the title was “How much housing is enough”
and Ms. Payne will be on the panel.
Ms. Tung stated that the AHT goals and strategies discussion is on the Select Board agenda for
Oct. 17 2025. Ms. Tung shared the update from the MAPC Affordable Housing Trusts of the
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MAGIC subregion meeting on Sept. 18, 2025, attended by Ms. Prosnitz and Ms. Tung from
Lexington.
3. Lowell Street Parcel 68-44 Update
Ms. Tung stated that Causeway plans to apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals on Oct. 16, 2025,
for Lowell Street affordable housing development. The hearing date will be November 13, 2025.
4. CPC Application
The Trustees reviewed the draft FY27 CPC application. They shared their comments to update
various sections of the document.
The group discussed the 5-year budget projection. There was discussion on current fund balance
and projected future expenses, considering potential grants and the resident support pilot
program. They brainstormed on the funding amount for FY27 to avoid a negative budget.
Ms. Tung will update the 5-year budget projection with the changes discussed in the meeting.
The Trust will continue discussion on this topic at their next meeting.
5. HPB Draft Compendium
The Trustees reviewed the Housing Partnership Board’s draft Compendium document. They
considered how to respond to the document's goals while noting potential implementation
challenges.
The group discussed affordable housing options in Lexington. Ms. Rust noted that the town has
very limited deed restricted homeownership units compared to restricted rentals. The Trust
explored strategies like down payment assistance programs, and combining rental and
ownership units in developments to make homeownership more affordable. The discussion
highlighted the need for more innovative approaches to increase homeownership opportunities
in Lexington.
The Trust agreed to prepare comments on the Housing Partnership Board Draft Compendium
focusing on Trust-related items for HPB’s Oct. 9, 2025 meeting. The meeting is posted as a joint
AHT meeting so that those Trustees who can attend are able to do so.
The Trustees discussed becoming an official liaison to the Housing Partnership Board instead of
a voting member. They agreed that this approach would be preferable.
6. Adjourn
Ms. Tung requested a motion to adjourn the Affordable Housing Trust Meeting. Mr. Erickson
moved. Ms. Prosnitz seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0, by roll call vote
(Payne – yes, Sandeen – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Erickson – yes, Tung – yes)
The meeting adjourned at 3:27 pm.
List of documents reviewed
1. CPC FY27 Application Draft
2. AHT BBFinancials Draft dt 10-5-25
3. HPB Draft Compendium for SB