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a TOWN OF LEXINGTON HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 15, 2011 The meeting was opened by Herb Wasserman, who agreed to chair the meeting. Those in attendance were Herb, Barbara Ciampa, Ellen McDonald, Mimi Ballard, Charlotte Rodgers, Emily Lavine and Betty ??? from the COA. The approval of the minutes for December 2010 was tabled until the next meeting. HUMAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPORT 1) Housing Options Emily reported to the committee about the options available to Lexington residents who are experiencing difficulties with rent or mortgage payment or who may be in jeopardy of losing their homes. • The Lexington Housing Authority will help people wit both state and federal application. They also have properties into which they can place families or disabled persons. • The Lexington Housing Assistance Board (LexHAB) is an independent Board(no state or federal funding)that can place people in housing units. They have about 61 units. • Lexington Emergency Housing Assistance Committee give financial assistance to people at risk of losing tier homes. People can be assessed by staff fro the Human Services Department • There is a program based in Arlington that will help Lexington residents. Emily distributed a list of these resources. Please see the attached. 2) Charlotte talked about discussions in progress in regard to transportation. • She has attended meetings looking at possible regional transportation plans with Lexington, Belmont, Watertown and Arlington for the elderly and disabled. • The Friends of the Council on Aging donated $30,000 to the Human Services Department to subsidize transportation for elderly people in Lexington. • Currently Lexington has fewer transportation options than any of the nearby towns. See attached chart. Services fro Lexpress is limited to a prescribed route and pick up points. There is transportation to and from medical appointments. • Charlotte would like to pilot a plan for point-to-point services in Lexington. She is researching the possibilities. 3) Charlotte emailed her report for January. See attached. • A quick building update is that the HVAC is being reviewed now because the severe witner weather required some alterations. The structural design and changes may not be started before 2013 or as late as 2016. • The number of people seeking services from the Human Services staff continues to increase. Possible reasons include stress, the economy, the weather and an increase in job loss or underemployment. VW 1`4019NIX31 N `1"I N m 0'1 90 :01 A 6- NVr 4101 aI"' ' F-"