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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-02-COA-min Town of Lexington Council on Aging Board Meeting June 2, 2021 2:32pm-3:55pm Zoom Video Conference Present: Ellen Cameron, Betty Borghesani,Julie-Ann Shapiro,John Zhao, Sudhir Jain, Sandra Shaw, Gerry Howell, Jyotsna Kakullavarapu, Rich McDonough Staff: Hemali Shah, Melissa Interess, Christine Dean, Suzie Barry, Diana Bishop, Bea Holland Julie-Ann called the meeting to order, took attendance and read Charlie Baker's instructions on public meetings via Zoom at 2:32pm Public Comments: None Approval of May Minutes Staff Reports: Hemali Shah-Assistant Director In touch with other COA directors about reopening plans. Different plans are in place. Many focuses on outdoors. Many folks want to stay virtual, due to convenience. Discussing best for programming, in-person vs online. Michelle Kelleher via Hemali in collaboration with Lexington Pride- on June 101h_ havinga "Coming Out Across the Ages" via Zoom Dance Caliente-June 14th at 11am — Dancing and music at tent/patio. Christine Dean-Community Center Director Looking into programs and services and activities with patrons in person or at home. Many happy with programming from home. Fitness via Zoom. Some outside this summer. Tent set up at rear of building. Has 8 tables and chairs. Can reserve spot via Lexington Recreation Website Planning for the future and camps- keeping up with the State and CDC guidelines. Pool opens June 6th-Sign up on Recreation page. Mellissa Interess Director of Human Services Mental Health questionnaire online available thru June 3rd Preparing for reopening- no date set yet. Public meetings schedule for June 15th date, but maybe extended till September- still being decided at the State level. Age Friendly Initiative Senior Parking proposal before Select Board. Vote was 4:1 for the 2-year parking pilot. Will start in October for those over 65 years of age. Final details will be worked out. Thank you to Julie for your work on this initiative. Thank you to Suzie Barry for all of your support. Discussion about how to promote parking and inform the community about Lexington on who the Seniors are in our town and how we can support them. We will discuss and brainstorm in the future as our next focus. Ellen Cameron will write up our ideas and send to Hemali Shah. New Business Elections: Julie Ann and Betty are looking to step down as Co-Chairs, after 5 years. They both will stay on as active members of the COA. If anyone is interested, please email the Nominating Committee: Ellen Cameron or Julie Ann Shapiro. John Zhou,Jyotsna Kakullavarapu and Sandra Shaw have renewed their time on the COA. Liaison Reports Minuteman Senior Services: Bea Holland and Diana Bishop. Visits at homes and Nursing facilities have increase and have a shortage of staff. Looking for new members at large with backgrounds in Legal, Financial, Health Care. Emphasize on addressing racial and social justice. Budget is waiting on State and Federal. Update on PPE-still requiring masks for workers. Meal on Wheels uses 10,000 pairs of gloves per month. They change with every delivery. Transportation: Sudhir Jain. No meeting in May. June's meeting, they discussed "what is the future proposal" Discuss included about Seniors, disabled, school buses for town transportation, bench and shelters at bus stops. Lexpress -ridership is there. Joe Packer is the new Liaison. Discussed programs for certified bike inspector. FCOA: May 201h they have $29,290 in the bank. No need for money from trustees. Granted $500 to the Sensory Garden at the Community Center. Lifetimes magazine had 64 entrees by 32 people, deciding now what to use. Commission on Disability— Bonnie Teitleman- no update. Human Services Committee: Betty Borghesani. No update, but ongoing to having a LISW for Police and Fire and discussed with Select Board. Recreation Committee: Ellen Cameron, Julie Ann Shapiro. Looking at traffic flow at Lincoln Field, Stone building and Reuse Committee Meeting. Arlington Res overhaul and using Rindge Park/gate as access. Old Res Bath House will be discussed on June 4th with Community Preservation Committee. Plate and stone at basketball in August in memory of Bob Farias. Adult lap (morning and evening) and aqua aerobics to resume at Outdoor pool. Check website for details. Lexington Housing: Camille Goodwin. No update. Vision for Lexington:Jyotsna Kakullavarpu. Increasing members for committee from 12 to 15. Adding culture diversity. Deciding what the committee needs, culture and even more social demands for the town. Received a grant from Community Endowment $4750 for postcard/mailings for future survey-online and physical. Housing Partnership;John Zhao. Select Board, Planning board and other committees had joint session looking at Housing Partnership. Questioning set up a foundation for affordable housing. Brainstorming- looking into working committees and various options to take. Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee: Rich McDonough. June 15th—Zoom. Link will follow for progress to date. 5 basic goals to objectives-Where does Lexington want to be in 2030. Identify/character, housing options, economic development, public facilities and services, and transportation. Others are environment, recreation and community and diversity. In September more presentations will be in the town. Mental Health Task Force: Ellen Cameron and Jyotsna Kakullavarpu. No meeting. Survey online. Lexington Center Committee: Sandra Shaw. No update. Citizen's Advisory Committee: Ellen Cameron. Had meet and Greet of hiring candidate for Chief Equity Officer. Meeting Adjourned at 3:55 Next Meeting July 7th, 2021. No meeting in August.