HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-19-HPB-minLexington Housing Partnership Board
Meeting Minutes for September 19, 2019
Attendees: Jeri Foutter, Mary Haskell, Paul Linton, Wendy Manz, Rich McDonough, Bob Pressman, Mark
Sandeen (BoS Liaison), Melanie Thompson, Melinda Walker, Betsey Weiss
Guest: Joe Ciampa, Beacon Point Development; Len Morse -Fortier
Absent: Harriet Cohen, Bob Peters (Planning Board Liaison)
Agenda Items:
1. Call to Order & Approve Prior Minutes: Ms. Foutter called the meeting to order at 6:45
pm. Ms. Foutter asked Ms. Walker to take minutes. Ms. Walker agreed to do so, but
explained that she would be unable to provide the kind of detail that the secretary
provides. There were no prior minutes to approve.
2. Annual Report Photo: David Tabeling took a photo for the Town Annual Report.
3. 186 Bedford Street: Joseph Ciampa (Beacon Point Development) distributed his report,
"186 Bedford Street, Mixed Use Development, the PD -4 District Presentation, dated
September 18, 2019." Mr. Ciampa reviewed the design enhancements that have been to
the proposal since Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Ciampa answered questions from
partnership members. A decision was made to hold a partnership meeting in early
October to plan for advocacy for the project.
4. Planning Board Update: There was no official report from the Planning Board.
5. Council on Aging Update: Mr. McDonough reported that the Department of Human
Services has completed a survey of Lexington senior citizens.
6. LexHAB Update: Mr. Pressman reported LexHAB will be submitting a request to CPC for
$100,000 for design funds for community housing on the Leary property. Mr. Pressman
attended a meeting convened by Select Person Suzie Barry to discuss plans for beginning
the work on the Leary property; during that meeting some participants suggested that
perhaps the Hosmer House might be moved to the Leary property and converted to
community housing. Several partnership members voiced strong opposition to that idea
because of the high cost to renovate a building of that age and condition.
7. Housing Authority Update: There was no 'news' from the Lexington Housing Authority.
Lexington Housing Partnership Board
8. SPRD Update: Ms. Weiss reported on the SPRD meeting held on August 20, 2019. At the
invitation of the chair, stakeholders from various advocacy groups (conservation, human
services, disability, housing and planning) spoke about what they hope the committee
members will take into account as they begin to draft a new zoning bylaw amendment.
9. Massachusetts Right to Counsel Coalition: In his response to Ms. Haskell's request, Mr.
Malloy, Town Manager, stated he felt it is within the purview of the charge of the Housing
Partnership Board to officially support the Massachusetts Right to Counsel Coalition. Ms.
Walker moved that the partnership support the Coalition; Ms. Haskell seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
10. Annual Report: Ms. Foutter asked members to review the `write-up' about the
partnership in the previous year's town report. She asked for recommendations for
information to be included in this year's report. Ms. Walker suggested board members
could send (by email) their suggestions for items to be included in the annual report. Ms.
Foutter could submit the report on behalf of the Parnership.
11. Reminder: Municipal Employee Online Training Program: All partnership members
must complete their on-line ethics training.
12. Leary Housing: Topic was discussed under #6.
13. Hosmer House: Topic was discussed under #6.
14. HPB Re -appointments (Harriet Cohen, Mary Haskell & Robert Pressman): Ms. Weiss
made a motion that Ms. Cohen, Ms. Haskell & Mr. Pressman be re -appointed to the
Housing Partnership Board. Ms. Walker seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.
15. New Business:
The Regional Housing Services Office is holding a meeting on Wednesday, September 25th
@ 9 AM in the Parker Room at Town Hall. The purpose of the meeting is to familiarize
with the WestMetro HOME Consortium and gain community input on the HOME
Consolidated Plan for FY 2021-2025. Mr. Pressman will be representing the partnership
and Ms. Walker will be attending as the representative of the Lexington Housing
Authority.
Ms. Weiss asked about planning for meetings with the Board of Selectmen and the
Planning Board about 40R & 40S. There was a discussion about how the information
sessions should be structured.
ON
Lexington Housing Partnership Board
16. Action Items:
Upon unanimous consent board members were assigned to contact Town Meeting
Members as follows:
➢
Precinct One:
Jeri Foutter
➢
Precinct Two:
Haskell/Pressman
➢
Precinct Three:
Betsey Weiss
➢
Precinct Four:
Unsassigned
➢
Precinct Five:
Melanie Thompson
➢
Precinct Six:
Unassigned
➢
Precinct Seven:
Paul Linton
➢
Precinct Eight
Rich McDonough
➢
Precinct Nine:
Wendy Manz
Ms. Walker volunteered to be the `record keeper' for the canvassers.
17: Set Next Meeting Date(s):
➢ Special Meeting: Tuesday, October 1, 2019
➢ Monthly Meeting: Tuesday, October 29, 2019
18: Adjournment.
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