HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-21-HPB-min Lexington Housing LHP
Meeting Minutes for August 21, 2018
Attendees: Harriet Cohen, ,Jeri Foutter, Mary Haskell, Paul Linton, Wendy Manz, Bob Pressman, Rich
McDonough, Melanie Thompson, Melinda Walker, Betsey Weiss
Absent:, Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti
Guest: Steve Senna, Vice President, National Development
The Lexington Housing Partnership (LHP) meeting was chaired by Ms. Walker and minutes were taken
by Ms. Cohen, with assistance from Ms. Manz. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm.
1. Approval of minutes of June 19,2018
Mr. Pressman moved approval of the minutes of June 19, 2018. Ms. Weiss seconded the motion.
The minutes of June 19, 2018 were approved unanimously.
Several minor changes were made to the minutes of April 17, 2018. Mr. Pressman moved approval
of the minutes as amended. Ms.Weiss seconded the motion.The minutes of April 17, 2018 were
approved unanimously.
2. Appointments to the Lexington Housing Partnership Board
The LHP voted unanimous approval of the following for submission to the Board of Selectmen for
their approval:
■ Increase the charge to 11 voting members.
■ Appoint Ms. Thompson to the LHP
■ Re-appoint Mr. Linton and Ms. Walker to the LHP
The LHP also noted that Mr. McDonough should be listed as the liaison from the Council on Aging.
[??? Is this correct? I had trouble understanding Wendy's notes.]
3. Presentation on proposed senior housing development on Belmont Country Club land/Mr.Senna
Mr. Senna presented the National Development plan for senior housing. The development includes
17 affordable units.
Ms. Foutter and Ms.Thompson commended National Development for their support of affordable
housing and for giving back to the community.The informal consensus at the meeting is that the
LHP supports the proposed development.
4. LexHAB News/ Ms. Walker and Mr. Pressman
Wright Farm House: The Local Initiative Program (LIP) application has been submitted,
Representatives of the Department of Housing and Community Development(DHCD) made a site
visit and appear to have been favorably impressed.The rent will be approximately$2,000 per
month.The Community Preservation Act (CPA) will provide$200,000 renovation. LexHAB will
provide an additional $40,000.The affordable unit will be a four bedroom,two bathroom house.
The renter will be selected by a lottery system.There is no Lexington preference because the
Farmhouse will provide only a single affordable unit, and, by state law, no preference is given when
Lexington Housing LHP
only a single unit of housing is in the lottery. The unit will be rented to a four-person family or larger,
as the requirement is to have at least one occupant per bedroom.
LexHAB now has a contractor for the renovation work.This house will be listed on the Subsidized
Housing Inventory(SHI).
Lowell Street housing.The work on for the Lowell Street housing was out for bid for a second time
but did not receive an acceptable bid. CPA has provided $2.7M for the work.
Fairview:Two out of four of the Fairview tenants have left for personal reasons. LexHAB will fill the
two openings.
LexHAB updates: LexHAB has 3 categories of units: 12 have DHCD agreements; 30 units are on the
SHI; 30 other units not on the SHI. Elizabeth Rust(Regional Housing Services Organization) and
Jennifer van Campen (MetroWest Collaborative Development) suggested that LexHAB create
objective selection criteria for tenants.
At the Board of Selectman meeting, LexHAB proposed a housing program for Lexington municipal
and school employees. LexHAB will conduct a survey of the municipal and school employees. Bill
Daley,former selectman, suggested this idea to LexHAB.
5. Planning for September Meeting
Ms. Foutter was asked to consider becoming the chair of the LHP. Ms. Foutter agreed to take the
chair position if the LHP membership agrees to help her in her duties, which the LHP willingly agreed
to do. Ms. Haskell moved nomination of Ms. Foutter as chair of the LHP. Ms. Cohen seconded the
motion.The motion was approved unanimously.The LHP recognized and thanked Ms. Walker for
her outstanding work as chair of the LHP.
6. Set next meeting date
The next meeting will be on Sept. 11.
7. Meeting adjournment
Ms. Weiss moved adjournment of the meeting. Ms. Walker seconded the motion.The motion was
passed unanimously.The meeting adjourned at 9:09 pm.