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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. 3