HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-05-COA-min Town of Lexington Council on Aging Board Meeting
May 5, 2021
2:30-3:37 PM
Zoom Video Conference
Present: Bonnie Teitleman, Ellen Cameron, Betty Borghesani, Julie -Ann Shapiro, John Zhao,
Sudhir Jain, Sandra Shaw, Gerry Howell,Jyotsna Kakullavarapu
Staff: Michelle Kelleher, Bea Holland, Melissa Interess, Christine Dean, Suzie Barry, Diana
Bishop
Julie-Ann called the meeting to order, took attendance and read Charlie Baker's instructions on
public meetings via Zoom.
Public Comments: None
Approval of April minutes
Staff Reports:
Michelle Kelleher, Senior Services Coordinator
• For Hemali-wrapping up at home vaccinations; 90% of Lexington residents
over 65 have received
• Programs
o Cinco de Mayo Grab n Go 5/5
o Baseball with Howie Newman outdoors lunch $5 5/20 12:30-2PM
(zoom if rain)
o MCOA grant for Living Your Life Well—a ten week series focusing on
wellness topics
Melissa Interess, Director of Human Services
Mental Health survey has had 600+ respondents so far, expect 1000
Christine Dean, Community Center Director
• Exploring options to rent or buy tent for outdoor activities, camp at Community
Center
o FCOA supportive
• Town pool and Reservoir will open, register with new system MyRec for passes
• Dana Home Fund grants:
o Forever Fit with Judy Whitney
o $25,000 for outdoor exercise equipment to be installed fall, 2021
• FCOA will fund $500 for gardening equipment for raised beds, intergenerational
activity
• No target date for general return to Community Center, employees goal to be
there 4 da/wk by 7/1
o 500 respondents to survey on peoples' interest in return to Community
Center
o Data to be analyzed
Age Friendly Initiative
• No updates
• Ellen and Bonnie volunteered to participate in future initiatives
• Julie-Ann will email the list of previous initiatives for board to consider, discuss, add to
and decide next initiative
• PTR (Purple Table) no go at this time
New Business
Actively recruiting Diversity Officer for Lexington
Liaison Reports
Minuteman Senior Services -Diana Bishop and Bea Holland -Returning to face to face
thoughtfully; working to publicize MMSS services
Transportation-SudhirJain-Joined bus routes 72 and 76 now 20 min longer, will reconsider in
fall; Can save $.35 per ride on Lexpress by buying online; FISH is free transport to medical
appointments run by Lexington Transportation; MBTA will have fare inspectors checking fee
payments; ongoing discussion re: regionalization of transportation
FCOA-Sudhir Jain- Has given $500 to Community Center for gardening tools; $29,500 in bank
account
Commission on Disability-Bonnie Teitleman- Presentation with John Livsey on the orientation
of warning panels and the Streetscape project, including excellent communication strategy
about construction; Discussion with Sandhya Iyer about outdoor dining on sidewalks and
parking lots for summer; unanimous vote on full inclusion resolution
Human Services Committee-Betty Borghesani- Discussions about Lexington Police policies,
improvement, better connection between LPD and Human Services, consider use of MSW;
letter to Selectboard offering to explore the use of MSW by neighboring police departments
Recreation Committee Ellen Cameron, Julie-Ann Shapiro- Res may get new, in budget pre-fab
bathhouse with ADA access; Farmer's Market will be on Worthen Road football field this year
starting 6/1
Lexington Housing-Camille Goodwin no update
Vision for Lexington-Jyotsna Kakullavarapu-$50,000 approved at town meeting for digital
survey; may have logo for committee; looking at initiatives to fill underserved communities, for
example, Indian Americans
Housing Partnership-John Zhao- 3/21 on how Arlington achieved low income housing project;
send letter to Selectboard on updating existing affordable housing; met with Planning Board to
plan updating website with better info; 5/17 Selectboard agenda is Affordable Housing Trust,
COA encouraged to attend
Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee- Rich M — no update
Mental Health Task Force-Ellen Cameron- no meeting
Lexington Center Committee-Sandra Shaw- no update
Citizen's Advisory Committee-Ellen Cameron- involved in hiring Diversity Officer
Next meeting of COA : June 2, 20212:30 -4PM via Zoom
Submitted by Bonnie Teitleman