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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-16-AHTBT-min.pdf Page 1 of 2 Affordable Housing Trust Meeting Minutes of April 16, 2026, 10:30 am 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; William Erickson, Mark Sandeen, Linda Prosnitz, Tiffany Payne (joined the meeting during item 2) Staff present: Ragi Ramachandran, Administrative Assistant Ms. Tung chaired the hybrid meeting and called the meeting to order at 10:37 am. 1. Approve Meeting Minutes Ms. Tung stated that the meeting minutes from 2/19/26 AHT meeting approved at the AHT meeting on 3/19/26 was the incorrect version. There have been further revisions to the meeting minutes. Ms. Tung requested a motion to unapprove 2/19/26 minutes and approve the revised 2/19/26 minutes from today’s meeting. Mr. Sandeen moved. 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). Ms. Tung requested a motion to approve the meeting minutes of 3/5/26 open and executive sessions and the 3/11/26 open session. Ms. Prosnitz moved. Mr. Erickson seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 4-0-0, by a roll call vote (Sandeen – yes, Erickson – yes, Prosnitz -yes, Tung – yes). Meeting minutes approved. 2. Chair, Select Board, Board/Committee Liaison and RHSO/staff report Ms. Prosnitz stated that the Housing Partnership Board will be presenting the Board’s strategies to the Select Board at the Select Board meeting on May 4, 2026. Mr. Erickson reported that LexHAB had raised $50,000 at their fundraiser. On 26 Douglas Road, LexHAB has completed rough-in inspections and a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) review with some requests for supplemental sealing. They planned on installing drywall the following week. Ms. Payne reported that LHA has completed two sessions of resident engagement for the redevelopment of Countryside Village. LHA was moving forward with converting 60 public housing units to Section 8 project-based vouchers with the timeline for conversion in early 2027 and construction in Fall 2027. LHA had hired SV Design to conduct capital needs assessment and explore future development opportunities. The possibilities mentioned included adding new units on existing land, adding features like elevators and expanding density. Mr. Sandeen mentioned the possibility of aligning Affordable Housing Trust Trustee terms with the Select Board September recruiting of Board members rather than in Apri, as currently stated in the Trust. Ms. Tung reported that the 2026 Town Meeting Warrant Article 10c for CPA funding of the Trust in the amount of $3,200,000 passed with a 97.7% affirmative vote. Ms. Tung stated that the MAPC/MAGIC coordinators are planning to apply to the Commonwealth One Stop for Growth program to see if they can get funding to continue the quarterly meetings Page 2 of 2 of the MAGIC MAHTs and they requested if Lexington would be willing to be one of the sponsors because they needed support from the municipalities. Ms. Tung mentioned the upcoming application for CHAPA’s Municipal Engagement Initiative program, and she would let the Housing Partnership Board know of the opportunity. The Trustees also noted the passage of the 2026 Town Meeting Warrant Article 25 regarding a residential development surcharge with a 59% vote at Town Meeting. Ms. Tung stated that Lexington was designated as a Housing Choice Community and congratulated the Town staff on the achievement. This designation gives the Town access to additional State grants. 3. Save Mass Save Support Letter Ms. Tung updated the Trustees that Cindy Arens had reached out to the Trust about supporting MassSave program. The Trust discussed signing on to a letter already signed by numerous organizations to support MassSave program. Mr. Sandeen explained that the House proposed a $1 billion cut to MassSave's budget, which would significantly impact affordable housing development. Mr. Sandeen stated that the sign on letter will influence negotiators from both the House and Senate to continue the program. The Trustees agreed to sign on to the letter to support the MassSave program. Mr. Sandeen moved that the Affordable Housing Trust sign on to the letter to support the MassSave program. Mr. Erickson seconded. The Trustees voted unanimously in favor of the motion 4-0, (Sandeen – yes, Erickson – yes, Prosnitz -yes, Tung – yes). 4. Pilot Rental Assistance Program The Trustees reviewed a redlined Metrowest contract for the Pilot Rental Assistance Program, and corrections and updates were proposed. They agreed to incorporate the changes to the contract as discussed in the meeting. Ms. Tung requested a motion that the Affordable Housing Trust authorize Ms. Tung and Ms. Prosnitz to finalize the agreement with Metro West Collaborative Development consistent with the Trust discussion today. Mr. Sandeen moved. Mr. Erickson seconded. The Trustees voted ‘Aye’ unanimously in favor of the motion 4-0, (Sandeen – yes, Erickson – yes, Prosnitz -yes, Tung – yes). 5. AHT Application Form Ms. Prosnitz will share the draft AHT application form for the Trustees review for discussion at a future Trust meeting. 6. Executive Session Ms. Tung moved for the Affordable Housing Trust to go into Executive session under Exemption 6 to consider the purchase or lease of real property regarding 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 not reconvene in the open session after the Executive session. Mr. Erickson seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 4-0-0, by a roll call vote (Payne – yes, Erickson – yes, Sandeen – yes, Tung – yes). The Trust exited the open session at 11:24 am. List of documents reviewed 1. Metrowest Agreement – redlined 4-15-26