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Lincoln Housing Commission
Meeting Minutes of June 9, 2009 at 7:30 am
Lincoln Town Hall, Donaldson Room
Present: Renel Fredriksen, Connie Lewis, and Pam Gallup
Also present: Mary Sheldon, Earl Midgley and Anita Scheipers
Actions and Discussion:
- Minutes: Lewis moved and Gallup seconded to approve the minutes of the May 26th meeting. Motion was unanimously approved.
- Tenant Selection Policy Manual – Fredriksen announced she has spoken to consultant Ann Dooley, who had shown the draft policy to the state contacts. These state contacts indicated that we may have a local preference provision however the mix of local preference units cannot exceed 70%. We are currently at 50%. There was discussion about the handicap unit at Sunnyside being chosen by the committee to be a non-local preference unit. Fredriksen stated she recalled the committee making such a vote. Gallup did not recall that decision having been made. Gallup also questioned the town’s obligation to accommodate those tenants who are under-housed or over-housed. Sheldon suggested that a non-renewal of a lease was the best way to handle those situations where the tenant
no longer qualified for the unit they occupy, assuming the town has no other appropriate alternate unit to offer them. It was discussed that the annual review and re-determination of tenants qualification status would help the Commission ascertain if tenants are still eligible for the units. Ann Dooley will have an updated draft in time for the next meeting. She will join the committee for discussion on the document in July.
- Property management RFP – Scheipers will send a draft list to the scope of work for the RFP to Georges to expedite the draft RFP being developed.
- Mowing – Earl Midgley announced that he has received two quotes for mowing, with the low bidder being Lincoln Tree at $700/month which equates to aprox. $45/unit. It was agreed that the job would go to Lincoln Tree.
- Approval of Bills, Etc. – The Commission approved three bills Midgley presented for approval: a) Water bill for all units at $1040, and b) Handy Andy invoice for maintenance work for $175., and c) Lincoln Tree for mowing at $475. Midgley also asked for the Commission to provide written clarification to a tenant who has been late in payment of the monthly rent. The Commission authorized Fredriksen to send a letter to the unit tenant requesting timely payments.
- Acquisition of Additional affordable Units – Gallup stated that the Battle Road Farm units still need to have some additional funds be added to be bought-down. One more unit is available for sale and for a buy-down. She stated the Housing Trust is likely to consider allocating housing trust funds for such a purpose, and she asked the Commission develop a policy statement on this issue prior to such a decision so as to provide the Housing Trust with clear guidance from the Commission on such matters.
- Liaison Reports:
- Small Housing Study Group – Lewis reported that it was agreed that the group is still developing its membership and intends to hold one meeting to discuss the concept later in June.
- CPC – Fredriksen reported the CPC is developing the FY11 request forms for submission to all departments, etc. Applicants who submit a letter of interest which meets basic criteria will be invited to submit a more detailed application for consideration by the Community Preservation Committee. Susie Collins and Bill Stasen are co-chairs of the CPC this year.
- Fredriksen announced she attended the last meeting of the Selectmen and encouraged the board to reappoint Georges for another term. The Board is still seeking additional candidates for consideration and will take action on this at a later date.
- Lincoln Woods – Discussion took place to reiterate the existing issues at Lincoln Woods to be the necessary capital improvement of the units and of the septic system at the development which the association cannot afford at this time and b) the coop structure of ownership allows tenants to have partial ownership of the units. With the increasing value of the units it makes it difficult for new tenants to buy the development. There no longer exists the Lincoln Woods Trust which previously had funds to help with the cost of buy-ins and buy-outs.
- Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:35 am.
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