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SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 5, 1981 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was men's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, 7:30 P.M. Chairman Miley, Mr. Busa, Mrs. Battin, Mr Mr. Hutchinson, Town Manager; Mrs. Banks, Assistant Norman P. Cohen, Town Counsel; Mrs. Snow, Principal held in the Select - January 5, 1981, at . Kent and Mr. Crain; to the Town Manager; Clerk, were present. Mrs. Miley convened the meeting and called upon Beatrice Phear, Town -.Senior Manager's staff, to report on her assessment of the need for a senior cen- .Center ter and her investigations as to the appropriateness of either Munroe or Muzzey Jr. High School for its location. An elderly population projection showed a growing number of elderly citizens, to reach 6,700 over 60 years of age by 1990. Personal, informal interviews with senior citizens revealed four major concerns: transportation, loneliness, housing costs/maintenance, and information/referral. A projection of the use of the potential various senior services in Lexington, based on utilization in other towns and on national norms, was developed. 4,700 questionnaires on the needs and desires of the elderly were distriubted to both instutionalized and non - institutionalized elderly and response (50%) was extremely high. Mrs. Phear reported on a strong desire on the part of seniors for the kind of services that can be offered by a senior center, which she esti- mated would be used by 2,000 people. Regarding choice of location in either Muzzey or Munroe School, she recommended that Muzzey Jr. High School seemed to be most appropriate because of size, layout, location and design of accesses, and suggested that it be leased to a developer on a long term basis for renovation for multiple agency occupancy. Mrs. Phear also recom- mended continued support ofLexpress and zoning to allow accessory apart- ments. Following discussion of aspects of the report, it was decided that the Selectmen will take a position on the matter following receipt of reports by the Council on Aging, the Human Services Committee, and other agencies with concerns relating to the elderly. Mrs. Phear was thanked for her preparation of a noteworthy study. Mr. Jacob Gardner, Community Health. Committee, spoke on behalf of his Committee and stated its conclusion that availability of health services - rates highest on the list of elderly needs. At 8:10 P.M., Town Celebrations Committee Chairman William P. Fitzgerald and several members of the Committee met with the Board for discussion of the Town Manager's recommendation that the 1981 Patriots' Day afternoon parade be cancelled due to the impact of the passage of Proposition 21. Chairman Fitzgerald stated the view of the Committee that the parade be sustained as in the past, but that the usual luncheon and reception for visiting dignitaries be deleted. He requested the permission of the Select- men for the Committee to seek private funding to underwrite some of the expenses of the afternoon parade, which amount to $10,000 to $11,000, includ- ing the cost of marching units and overtime for D.P.W and Police. Mr.Fitz- gerald voiced the optimism of the Committee that this could be accomplished. The Board members expressed their reluctance to discontinue the traditional parade, and alternate schedules for the several events of the day were sug- gested. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously voted that, based on the Town Celebrations Committee's determination to seek pri- vate funding, the Committee go forward with its planning for the 1981 Patriots' Patriots' Day Parade