1985-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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Selectmen's Advisory Committees Fair Housing Committee. L /R: Stephan Baran; Vigda Bhatia; Beatrice Phear, Human Services Coordinator; Robert Pressman, Chairman; William Spencer; Florence Baturin; James Brannon; Leona Martin. The committee is exploring the question of sensitiv- ity to racial and ethnic diversity within the town; and, in order to understand this issue more fully, they have met with several citizens who have experi- enced harassment. t s 3 LL c r a In order to accomplish its task the committee has analyzed the questionnaire concerning housing op- tions and service needs distributed by the Council on Aging to Lexington residents over age 60. Census data and the Planning Board's 1984 Housing Report were also studied to determine the need for elderly housing with supportive services. Private develo- pers were interviewed to determine the demand they perceived and what efforts they would make to ful- fill it. Finally, elder housing and service pro- viders were interviewed to learn their perspective on congregate housing requirements. The committee expects to have its report completed by January 1986. The Human Services Committee's year was highlighted by a symposium held November 7 on the issue of Human Services Committee. L/R seated: Harvey LoweZZ; Jan Eustis; Stanley Finkelstein, Co- Chairman; Leonora Zola. Standing: Sylvia Pearlman; Judith Zabin, Co- Chairman; Beatrice Phear, Human Services Coordinator. Absent: Marion Shepp. 10 Overview funding trends, fiscal realities and unmet needs. Representatives from town government, civic groups, human service agencies, and the business community convened to discuss responsibility for future human service concerns. In carrying out its charge to provide advice on human service policies and their implementation, the committee also: • Was active in supporting the Lexington Housing Authority's proposal for housing for retarded citizens on Hill Street. • Through the Enablement sub - committee, compiled list of sites for wheel -chair curb cuts, subse- quently installed by the town. • Recommended allocation of town resources to continue funding programs through RePlace, Mystic Valley Mental Health Center, Central Middlesex Association for Retarded Citizens and the Council on Aging, with the addition of Hospice Care, Inc. and Cooperate Elder Services as providers with Town contracts. • Assisted Visiting Nurse and Community Health, Inc., to apply for funding from the Trustees of Public Trusts to help care for isolated frail residents in the three elderly housing villages, for their senior health monitor program. The Lexington Council for the Arts sponsored a num- ber of projects this year fulfilling the council's primary purpose to encourage and promote the arts locally. The publication of the Lexington Arts Calendar, issued at four -month intervals during the year, has been the council's most direct way of making arts events in the town more visible. Copies are distributed with the local newspaper and are available free at town offices and libraries. The council has obtained corporate funding as well as individual and State support for the calendar and will continue to solicit funds to finance the pro- ject for the coming year. The council also administered a local photography contest entitled "A Day in the Life" sponsored by the United States Conference of Mayors to capture the town on film on March 20, 1985. The winners of the national contest have yet to be announced. Repeating a past success in May, the Council and Cary Library co- sponsored an All- Mozart concert by the Da Camera Players at the library. A concurrent council - sponsored juried craft show of work by Lex- ington artists at the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society hosted a well - attended reception following the library performance. c The council made recommendations on the disbursement of Massachusetts Arts Lottery funds totalling $4750. J In January five awards were granted: to the Mystic 3 Valley Orchestra for a concert to include the pre - miere of a work by Robert Ryr; to the Second Season Players for a series of acting workshops; to the a Museum of our National Heritage for a vocal recital;