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Town of Lexington Human Services Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday 9/18/19 @ 7 PM Lexington Community Center, 39 Marrett Road Attendees: Gail Fields (Co-Chair), Lea Garden Elkin (Co-Chair), Pam Joshi, Betty Borghesani (COA Board liaison), Martha Kurland, Melissa Interess (Director of Human Services), Doug Lucente (Board of Selectmen Chair), Leslie Zales. Gail called the meeting to order at 7:12 after our group photo for the Town's Annual Report. AGENDA 1. Welcome & introductions 2. Review and accept minutes of May 15, 2019 meeting — all in favor, no edits. 3. Committee membership update — Bonnie Tenpas and Helen Walsh have resigned from the Committee. 4. Review proposed updates to Committee charge and structure a. Doug explained the process of changing a Committee's charge in Lexington. Board Chairs must present proposed edits to the Board of Selectmen. The Board would then discuss and approve or request modifications to the Charge. Doug suggested providing a draft to some of the Board of Selectmen members prior to presenting the proposed updates to facilitate the process of approval. He also suggested that thought be given to what the original intent of the Committee was and how Human Services and the Town has evolved in considering what the future of the Committee should look like. Doug noted that the Board of Selectmen will be looking at all Town Committees to understand overlaps and work towards efficiencies that support the priorities of the Board. b. Melissa noted things we should review in process of changing our charge: frequency, location, and timing of meetings; the actual Charge based on Board of Selectmen priorities and what the Committee wants to focus on; number of members. c. A discussion began with the following points/questions made: i. What are the gaps or redundancies in our services compared to what other groups and committees are providing to the town? ii. The Charge should include "across the lifespan," as the Human Services department serves residents of all ages. iii. What issues should be prioritized? e.g., food for students in the summer, mental health supports, housing, addiction (vaping, opiates), domestic abuse, etc. iv. Look at distinction between what Human Services department provides vs. what the schools provide and ways to collaborate. Melissa noted that the Mental Health Task Force is a significant collaboration with the schools. v. This Committee is most productive and effective when they are advocating for something. vi. There's a need to keep finger on pulse of what the other providers are doing. In-town community groups (LICA, IAL, CARL, LexHAB, LexPride, Community Coalition, etc.) What are they seeing/experiencing/needing in their own communities?We should go to them.