HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-04-COA-minMinutes:
Lexington COA Board Meeting
June 4, 2014.
Attendees: Nancy Adler, Betty Borghesani, Camille Goodwin, Sophia Ho, Gerry
Howell, Marion Kilson, Harry Mackay, Barbara Rediker, Julie Ann Shapiro
Staff: Charlotte Rodgers, Kelly Axtell, Barbara Deveaux
Several guests attended.
Public comments: Jane Olsen described a program, Family Promise Metrowest, that
is operated by churches in Natick and provides extensive help, temporary housing
and respite for homeless families. The program called Lift Up Lexington is similar
but does not involve the housing component.
Nancy opened the meeting at 3:10 PM.
Minutes for the May meeting were approved unanimously as amended.
Kelly noted that
• the Newsletter moves to the new schedule, appearing every two months.
• the villages are becoming nonsmoking sites and will provide cessation
programs. In discussion, a visitor raised the point that members of the
Chinese community ignore hallway signs because they often are not written in
Chinese. This issue is being addressed. Signs and Housing Authority notices
should be translated.
• information about a Minuteman Senior Services forum on hoarding will be
forthcoming
• coffee costs are high and have become difficult to absorb. An increase in
price from 25 to 50 cents was discussed together with initial examination of
other methods (e.g., soliciting donations from local business) for defraying
costs.
Barbara reported
• on the success of trips to New York City and Cape Cod and described theatre
trips that are imminent.
• Gerry Howell expressed congratulations to staff that organized the "Live
Your Life Well" program which was well evaluated. Barbara said that the
program may be repeated.
Charlotte provided a report (with Handout) regarding the LexConnect program.
Nancy suggested that discussion be continued as an agenda item in the August
meeting.
CCAC update: Betty reported that some glitches had been identified recently. The
preliminary budget is not enough to cover some changes /possible
improvements under discussion. These matters will go to Town Meeting for
resolution.
FCOA update: The handout that was circulated was filed with the Dana Home
sponsors as a report on the success of the OWLL program.
Announcement: Claudia Knight has been hired to do publicity.
Brief discussion concerned placing COA minutes and other matters(e.g.,
schedules) on the FCOA web page.
New Business: Nancy announced that two vacancies exist on the COA Board.
Interviewing will occur during June.
Gerry reported on education for Chairpersons regarding the Open Meeting Law
and discussed the main topic, remote participation in meetings.
Next meeting: August 6, 2014.
Respectfully submitted: Harry A. Mackay