HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-21-20-FFLB-min MINUTES
FUND FOR LEXINGTON BOARD
September 21, 2020
4:00 p.m., Conducted by Remote Participation
Present: Doug Lucente, Chair; Suzie Barry; Norman Cohen; Alan Fields; Ed Grant; Paul Shupe;
Melissa Interess, Director of Human Services; Tony Serio, Assistant Director of Family and
Youth Services; Melissa Battite, Recreation Director; and Kim Katzenback, Executive Clerk to
the Select Board.
Mr. Lucente stated the remote participation meeting is being held in accordance with Governor
Baker's March 12, 2020 Executive Order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law
to allow remote participation during Massachusetts' State of Emergency due to the outbreak of
COVID-19.
1. Money Available as of 08/31/20
Mr. Lucente reported that as of August 31, 2020,the Fund for Lexington Income balance was
$28,838.61 and the Principal balance was $286,243.16.
At the March 23, 2020 the Fund for Lexington Board agreed that donations made from March
2020 until September 2020 would be made available to assist resident needs due to impacts of
Coronavirus (Covid-19). Mr. Lucente reported that$47,170.57 has been donated to the Fund for
Lexington during the period from March 15, 2020 through September 16, 2020.
2. Human Services:
a. Human Services Report:
Ms. Interess, Director of Human Services, reported the following activity for the funds dispersed
for the period: Fund for Lexington—$309.73 out of the Heating Assistance Pilot(Remaining
balance - $927.79); Human Services Emergency Fund - $927.79 (non-Covid-19 assistance); and
Food Gift Cards - $950; COVID-19 Assistance - $21,937.81 was disbursed from the Human
Services Emergency Fund to assist 18 families.
Mr. Lucente stated that he has heard that the Lexington Food Pantry is in need financial as well as
food donations. He asked the Board if they would like the Fund for Lexington to offer assistance.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Fund for Lexington Board voted 6-0 to
donate $5,000 to the Lexington Interfaith Outreach Food Pantry.
3. Recreation Department Report— Funds and Financial Aid Awards
Ms. Battite, Recreation Director, updated the Board on the Recreation scholarship fund used to
assist children from low income families to attend Town sponsored summer programs. She
explained that as the Town pool was closed due to COVID-19 there were no pool passes issued
in 2020. She reported that $2820 was disbursed to seven families for summer
camp/clinics/programs. Ms. Battite stated there remains a balance of$3,247.90 in the Recreation
Scholarship Fund account. She stated that remaining annual account balances are typically
applied towards the out of school time requests for students received during the coming school
year. Ms. Battite asked the Board if some of the 2020 account balance could be used to assist
adults as well for adult programs.
The Fund for Lexington Board unanimously supported allowing the Recreation Scholarship
Fund 2020 balance to also be used to towards assisting adults from low income families to attend
adult programing.
4. Discuss Fund for Lexington Annual Appeal
The Board was in agreement to have the Fund for Lexington Board Chair prepare the annual
appeal letter to be sent in the fall of 2020. The Board felt this year's letter should include a
reference to the 25h Anniversary of the creation of the Fund for Lexington, some history how the
Fund for Lexington has provided support throughout the years, and also include an additional
page which provides resource information to residents who may need assistance.
5. Next Meetings
The Board reviewed and confirmed the following dates for upcoming Fund for Lexington Board
meetings: December 14, 2020; March 15, 2021; June 14, 2021; September 13, 202; and
December 13, 2021.
6. Approval of June 15, 2020 Meeting Minutes
On a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Fund for Lexington Board voted 6-0 to
approve the June 15, 2020 meeting minutes.