Date: 10/20/2010
Location: 2nd Floor Central North Room, Hingham Town Hall
Called to order: 7:07 pm
Attendance: Gretchen Condon, Laura Burns, Gary Ludwig, Kevin Connelly and Blake Auchincloss; Susan Crowley joined the meeting at 7:10 pm and Jim O’Brien joined the meeting at 7:29 pm.
With a quorum present, Gretchen Condon opened the meeting.
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Blake Auchincloss and seconded by Gary Ludwig to approve the minutes of the meeting of September 29, 2010, as presented. A vote was taken and all were in favor; the motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report: Laurie Zivkovich reported that Steve Becker has received the Trust’s laptop from Hewlett-Packard Company and needs to load the software. A motion was made by Gary Ludwig and seconded by Blake Auchincloss to approve the payment of the laptop invoice from Hewlett-Packard Company in the amount of $799.00. A vote was taken and all were in favor; the motion passed. Susan Crowley joined the meeting. Discussion followed regarding the Balance Sheet dated as of October 18, 2010. Susan Crowley reported that a $50,000 payment for October has been received by the Town Hall but is not reflected in the Balance Sheet.
Chapter 40B Affordable Housing Law Discussion: Gretchen Condon reported putting the Trust’s name on www.VoteNoOnMAQuestion2.org. Laura Burns reported on her conversations with a reporter from the Patriot Ledger regarding 40B. She also reported on the Board of Selectmen’s receipt of a letter regarding an Adams Court unit, and the Town’s right of refusal on the property. Discussion followed regarding foreclosures, the role of the Hingham Housing Authority, preferences, lotteries, possible roles of the Trust, the ability/inability of the Trust to help owners, and designing outreach to Town employees and other families in Hingham. Susan Crowley reported on her and Jim O’Brien’s attendance at an affordable housing panel presentation and summarized the discussions. Discussion followed regarding a letter to be sent to the Hingham Journal regarding the Trustees’ support against repealing 40B.
Announcements: Gretchen Condon announced that Jim O’Brien has been appointed to the Board of the Hingham Housing Authority.
80 Beal Street Fee for Service Contract: Attorney Bryan LeBlanc, representing the Trust, and Mr. Vcevold O. Strekalovsky, President of Strekalovsky Architecture Inc., joined the meeting and addressed the Board. Discussion followed regarding the proposed Agreement to Extend the Time for an Award. Attorney LeBlanc explained the changes to the proposed agreement, the meaning and purpose of the phrase “for sufficient consideration,” and the effect of a seal under Massachusetts law. Discussion followed regarding the status of 40B and the desire to complete the project generally. A motion was made by Blake Auchincloss and seconded by Susan Crowley to execute the Agreement to Extend the Time for an Award containing the phrase “with sufficient consideration.” A vote was taken and all were in favor; the motion passed.
Next Meeting: The next meeting will be at 7:00 pm on November 3, 2010.
Jim O’Brien joined the meeting.
Lincoln School Apartments Update: Jim O’Brien reported that a mockup of the replacement windows is in progress, and that the architect has recommended casements and the residents prefer sliders. He also provided an update on the 2011 budget process and the HAP contract. Discussion followed regarding blower testing of the windows. Additional discussion followed regarding a playground on the property, resident resistance to the feature, concerns over access and property insurance, surrounding resident opinion, neighborhood outreach, Mass Housing involvement, direct and indirect costs of a tot lot, insurance aspects of public usage, the number of playgrounds already owned by the Town, and that discussions with residents will be ongoing. No formal action was taken.
Fort Hill Street Veterans’ Housing Update: Jim O’Brien reported that discussions are down to the final language choice for the tenant selection plan, the purchase and title transfers have taken place, a submittal has been made to the state, and the right of first refusal to the Town has been executed. The goal is to have the item before the Selectmen for approval by the November 9th meeting. No formal action was taken.
Adjourn: A motion was made by Blake Auchincloss and seconded by Gary Ludwig to adjourn the meeting. A vote was taken and all were in favor; the motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:58 pm.
Respectfully submitted by: Laurie Zivkovich, Administrative Assistant
Approved on: November 3, 2010