HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-04-YSC-min Youth Services Council
April 4, 2007
In attendance were Chris Casey, Tim Johnson, Chantal Hersey, Julie Fenn, Karen
Simmons, Lauren McSweeney, Norman Cohen, Ellen McDonald, Sandro Alessandrini,
Bill Blout, Christina Demambro, Helen Cohen, Kate Cremens-Basbas, Becky Kosterman,
and Joe O'Leary
Some members of the Advocacy/Plammng Task Force attended April's meeting to share
their draft presentation with the Youth Services Council. They were looking for feedback
and support to present in upcoming Town Meeting
Several concerns were raised 1 current structure of Youth Services Council 2 accuracy
of some information in report 3 place more positive emphasis on what is happening and
being done since last report to Board of Selectman 4 appropriate budget process
The task force hoped to present this report as informational in order to set the framework
for next year There has been on-going conversation about the YSC falling under the
Social Services Department and/or operating as an independent committee and as it
stands right now, the YSC falls under the Social Services Department There remains
disagreement on this matter It is inappropriate for staff members to support presentation
because it puts town staff in compromising positions within their relationship to their and
other departments Structural issues were certainly raised, then how might the YSC and
attached task forces provide advocacy for youth and family services How do we
proceed within the appropriate political process and meet community's needs
YSC members shared concern about accuracy of some information (i.e Arlington does
not have a Youth Center and statistics from police are in need of explanation not
everyone in percentage are Lexington residents) and difficulty in comparison to other
communities when the information isn't clear and explicit Members also struggled with
the tone of message encouraged the task force to focus more on the positive, what is
being done, progress made, and still areas of need/growth.
The task force members were told and encouraged to have either Ellen or Sandro do
presentation as a Town Meeting member It shouldn't come from the task force or
council The task force will take suggestions given today and revise Joe O'Leary and
Becky Kosterman will review changes and send comments as well The task force will
then submit to Council for approval of presentation with incorporated changes
Our next meeting is Wednesday May 2, 2007 Norman will be our minute-taker