HINGHAM AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST
HINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS
MEETING MINUTES
Date: December 7, 2011
Location: 2nd Floor South Central Hearing Room, Hingham Town Hall
Called to order: 7:05 pm
Attendance: Tim White, Chairman; Laura Burns; Gary Ludwig; Jim O'Brien; Susan Crowley; and Kevin Connelly. Blake Auchincloss joined the meeting after roll call.
With a quorum present, Tim White opened the meeting.
Approval of Minutes from Meetings of July 12, November 2, and November 9, 2011: Voted – A motion was made by Laura Burns and seconded by Kevin Connelly to approve the meeting minutes of July 12, 2011. A vote was taken and all were in favor; the motion passed.
Voted – A motion was made by Gary Ludwig and seconded by Susan Crowley to approve the meeting minutes of November 2, 2011. A vote was taken and all were in favor; the motion passed.
Tim White noted that Dan Jacobson's name was omitted from the attendance list on the November 9th meeting minutes.
Voted – A motion was made by Laura Burns and seconded by Kevin Connelly to approve the meeting minutes of November 9, 201, as corrected. A vote was taken and all were in favor; the motion passed.
Blake Auchincloss joined the meeting.
80 Beal Street: The Chairman announced that the Trustees will recess to executive session to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property because the an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Trust, and the Trustees will reconvene in open session at the conclusion of the executive session.
Voted – A motion was made by Gary Ludwig and seconded by Kevin Connelly to recess to executive session, and return to open session at its conclusion, to discuss the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property. A vote by roll call showed Connelly – yes, Auchincloss – yes, Crowley – yes, Burns – yes, O'Brien – yes, Ludwig – yes, and White – yes; the motion passed.
The meeting recessed as 7:13 pm and reconvened at 9:11 pm. Kevin Connelly left the meeting. Vcevy Strekalovsky joined the meeting. Tim White agreed to have his office record the Comprehensive Permit and the Form A plan with the Registry of Deeds.
Voted – A motion was made by Jim O'Brien and seconded by Blake Auchincloss to authorize the Chairman to record and process the recording fees necessary for the Form A plan and the Comprehensive Permit. A vote was taken and all were in favor, with Tim White abstaining; the motion passed.
Discussion followed regarding Strekalovsky Architecture Inc. Invoice #11 in the amount of $2,141.57 for additional meetings and regarding the release. Mr. Strekalovsky stated that there will be an additional bill for miscellaneous services such as copying. The general consensus was to vote on the release and the miscellaneous services bill at the next meeting.
Voted – A motion was made by Blake Auchincloss and seconded by Susan Crowley to approve payment of Strekalovsky Architecture Inc. Invoice #11 dated November 16, 2011 in the amount of $2,141.57. A vote was taken and all were in favor; Laura Burns was not present during the vote. The motion passed.
Tim White stated that the Trust is in the process of identifying an attorney to prepare a request for proposals (RFP) for the disposition of 80 Beal Street, Mr. Strekalovsky and his team want to continue on the project as the owner's representative, the goal is to have an RFP out by the end of January, additional details will be attached to the RFP, and the Trustees would like from Mr. Strekalovsky his recommendations, a budget, and a scope of work. Discussion followed regarding the developer's bonding for infrastructure since it is not in the comprehensive permit, payment of the review fee for the Board of Appeals, reimbursement for inspections, not overburdening the developer on the interior finishes, the importance of the exterior product and landscaping, having three inspection points, having Lynne Sweet's financial guidance, obtaining a budget for her review of the responses, holding off on the condominium documents, the Trustees' intention to seek a low condo fee, the responsibility of homeowners to maintain the exterior of their own buildings to keep the fee low, and hourly rates for Mr. Strekalovsky and each team member for inspections. Blake Auchincloss left the meeting. Ms. Burns offered to write a press release on the project status and the issuance of the Comprehensive Permit.
Voted – A motion was made by Jim O'Brien and seconded by Gary Ludwig to authorize Laura Burns to write a press release on the status of the 80 Beal Street project. A vote was taken showing all in favor, with Laura Burns abstaining; the motion passed.
Discussion followed regarding the Rockland Trust note, renegotiating the terms, and the status of discussions with the lender.
Voted – A motion was made by Jim O'Brien and seconded by Laura Burns to authorize the Chairman to extend the Rockland Trust note terms of the interest only payments at the current rate or better terms, otherwise to report back accordingly. A vote was taken, with all in favor and Tim White abstaining; the motion passed.
Treasurer Report/Approval of Invoices: Susan Crowley reviewed the Treasurer's Report dated 12/7/2011, noting that she needs to review the 80 Beal Street billings. Jim O'Brien discussed the Town auditor's note on better reconciliations with the Town's accounting system, the different posting systems, and the recommendation for hiring a professional bookkeeping firm for approximately eight hours per month. Discussion followed bonding, time commitments, and the benefits of hiring a firm. Laura Burns offered to discuss the matter with the Town Administrator for his recommendation.
Voted – A motion was made by Jim O'Brien and seconded by Susan Crowley to approve payment of Blatman Bobrowski and Mead LLC invoice #7177 dated December 2, 2011 in the amount of $280 and invoice #7024 dated November 8, 2011 in the amount of $760. A vote was taken and all were in favor; the motion passed.
Voted – A motion was made by Laura Burns and seconded by Gary Ludwig to approve the Treasurer's Report. A vote was taken and all were in favor; the motion passed.
Lincoln School Apartments Update: Tim White reported on the status of a tenant issue and his turning over the request for mediation to Lincoln School's legal counsel. Jim O'Brien discussed the tenant issue, working through mediation, the involvement of MassHousing and TAP, and the involvement of both the Lincoln School Board of Managers and the management company to help with the tenant's transition.
Local Preference and Ongoing Local Preference in Chapter 40B Projects: Discussion of this item was deferred until the next meeting.
Next Meeting Date: The next meeting will be on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, at 7:00 pm.
Adjournment: Voted – A motion was made by Laura Burns and seconded by Jim O'Brien to adjourn the meeting. A vote was taken and all were in favor; the motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 10:07 pm.
Documents (supporting documentation is on file with the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust and available for public review):
1. Meeting minutes of July 12, November 2, and November 9, 2011
2. HAHT Balance Sheet Standard dated 12/7/2011
3. Blatman Bobrowski & Mead LLC Invoice #7177 dated December 2, 2011 in the amount of $280. Blatman Bobrowski and Mead LLC Invoice #7024 dated November 8, 2011 in the amount of $760.
4. Strekalovsky Architecture Inc. Invoice #11 dated November 16, 2011 in the amount of $2,141.57.
Respectfully submitted by: Laurie Zivkovich, Administrative Secretary
Approved on: January 4, 2012