HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-03-16-LEXHAB-min LexHAB Board Meeting
March 16, 2018-7 AM
1620 Massachusetts Avenue, Unit 4, Lexington, MA
The meeting opened at 7:05 a.m.
Members present were Bob Burbidge, Les Savage, Gerry Howell, Bob Phelan, Bill Hays, Donna Leary,
Patricia Nelson and Bill Kennedy via Conference Call remote. Also present was Suzanne E. Barry,
Chairman of the Board of Selectman, Absent—Henry Liu and Martha Wood
The Co-chairman, Bob Burbidge presided.
MINUTES APPROVAL
Meeting Minutes for February Meeting were accepted.
FINANCIAL
Gerry Howell Reviewed Profit and Loss schedule and Schedule of Extraordinary Expenses (to be relabeled
Schedule of Major Expenses), including discussion of:
Snow removal.
Reclassification of Garfield expenses so that they are no longer a separate category(since LexHAB
no longer needs to provide separate expense documentation to Mass Housing, following the expiration
of its mortgage.
Solar credit income.
Motion was made and approved to accept the financial report.
FARM VIEW
Discussion of CPC unanimous approval of$1.6283 additional funding for Farm View construction.
Sue Barry—Selectman. Selectmen requested a presentation on Farm view.
Lester Savage
Reported on bidding for Farm View construction contract. There were two bidders. One was at
$2.4 million but the bidder did not meet requirements for DCAM certification and posting of bond. The
other bidder came in at$4.5 million.There will be a re-bid on the project.
Bill Kennedy—Discussed review of bid specifications to find ways to reduce overall costs.
WRIGHT FARM
Liz Rust and LexHAB are preparing LIP Application for submission to the Selectmen and then to DCHD.
Purchase and Sale Agreement with the Town has been signed and LexHAB has been designated the agent
of the Town to oversee renovation of the building until a Comprehensive Permit is issued and land can be
conveyed to LexHAB.
Only one bid was received for the contract for renovation and that bidder was not DCAM certified. LexHAB
plans to rebid.
REORGANIZATION
Interim Rent Adjustments.
Section 8—Interim adjustments determined by the issuing Housing Authority.
Other units — LexHAB currently adjusts downward (in LexHAB's discretion for change in
circumstances supported by updated financial information)
Discussion of change in policy. Pat Nelson to draft revised lease language to allow but not require
an interim increase in rent.
Current policy and lease allow interim rent adjustments downward, in the Board's discretion, but
not upwards.
It was reported that Section 8 tenants are certified by the applicable housing authority and that
the housing authorities are permitted to make an interim increase or decrease. It was voted to change
LexHAB's policy to allow interim increases and decreases in rent as certified by the housing authority.
Motion Allowed.
Pat Nelson was asked to draft lease language to reflect this change.
Pat Nelson and Pearlene will work on an interim document to be applicable
when changes take place by HA or decreases.
No change was approved to modify the general policy against interim adjustments upward. Issue
set down for further discussion.
Next Meeting
Next Meeting will be held on April 17, 2018
Executive Session
The chairman then proposed that the Board go into executive session to consider tenant
matters, stating that consideration of same in open session could have a detrimental effect on
the negotiating position of a semi-public body, namely LexHAB, and might also affect adversely
the privacy rights of tenants and that the Board not return open session at the end except to
adjourn.