2019-12-03 BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Selectmen’s Meeting December 3, 2019 A meeting of the Lexington Board of Selectmen was called to order at 3:04 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room of the Town Office Building. Present were Selectmen Mr. Lucente, Chair; Mr. Pato; Ms. Barry; Ms. Hai; and Mr. Sandeen as well as Mr. Malloy, Town Manager; Ms. Axtell, Deputy Town Manager; and Kim Katzenback, Executive Clerk.  FY21 Proposed Budget: Human Services Melissa Interess, Director of Human Services; Gina Rada, Veteran Services District Director; Tony Serio, Assistant Director of Youth and Family Services; and Susan Barrett, Transportation Manager presented the proposed FY2021 level-funded Human Services department requesting an All Funds budget of $1,729,517 which reflects a decrease of $(8,661), or (0.50)%, from FY2020. Compensation decreases by $(10,343), or (1.29)%, and expenses increase by $1,682 or 0.18%. The All Funds budget includes funding from a Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) grant, the MBTA Suburban Transportation grant, and the Senior Services Revolving Fund (formerly known as the Council on Aging Programs Revolving Fund). Ms. Interess noted that over the past year there have been multiple staff changes and new hires. One notable addition is Sharon Gunda, Outreach Coordinator, taking a role that was developed due to the joint Mental Health summits that took place between the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen. Human Services program initiatives/goals: Continue implementation of the CHNA 15 grant funded work of the Mental Health Task Force; develop and begin implementation of action plan based on findings and recommendations from Age Friendly needs assessment; develop and pilot new transit options in collaboration with the MBTA, adjacent towns, and other Town departments; collaborate with Recreation and Community Programs staff and; continue to support and promote the William James INTERFACE Referral Service to the residents of Lexington. Administration and Outreach: The FY2021 requested budget reflects a $(16,395), or (6.94)% decrease from the FY2020 budget, and includes a $(15,195) or (7.80)% decrease in compensation due to staff turnover, and a $(1,200) or (2.90)% decrease in expenses to reflect a shift in mobile phone costs to other budgets within the department. Senior Services & Community Programs: The FY2021 All Funds budget is a level-services budget, decreasing by $(6,261), or (1.73)% from FY2020. General Fund compensation decreases by $(6,261) or (3.69)% due to new staff filling the roles of Assistant Director and Coordinator in FY2020. General Fund expenses are level-funded. Information and referral calls and walk-ins continue to be the most utilized services. Most questions center on affordable housing and transportation, which was confirmed by the Age- Friendly Needs Assessment survey, completed by close to 1000 participants over the age of 50 earlier in the year. Mental Health and caregiving were also notable issues. 1