HomeMy WebLinkAboutFundforLexMin- May 10, 2021 MINUTES
FUND FOR LEXINGTON BOARD
May 10, 2021
4:00 p.m.
held by remote participation
Present: Doug Lucente, Chair; Suzie Barry; Norman Cohen; Alan Fields; Ed Grant; Alan
Wrigley; Kate Ekrem; Tony Serio, Assistant Director of Family and Youth Services; Melissa
Battite, Director of Recreation 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 May 7, 2021: Income $53,562.52
Principal $325,479.85
Mr. Lucente stated to date the donations since the mailing of the November 2020 appeal letter
amounted to $37,881.39. He noted that on donation made in Memory of Dan Fenn in the amount
of $50.00 and 36 donations made In Memory of Hank Manz totaling $2,646.50 (some check,
some online). Mr. Lucente stated this is the first year online donation, 79 Online Donations made
totaling $7,368.49
2) Human Services Report
Mr. Serio reported the following activity for the Human Services funds dispersed for the period:
• Fund for Lexington
o $3,656.59 out of the Heating Assistance Pilot for six residents (Remaining
balance - $2,230.74);
• Human Services Emergency Fund (non COVID related)
o $5,438.10 ($2,250 - rent, $1,000 - moving; 1,382.14 - rent down
payment/car payment; $805.96 - overdue medical bill)
o Lexpress subsidized passes fiscal year to date - 22 passes,value of$3,480
o Gift Cards - $1,225 in food cards.
• Covid-19 Financial Assistance (Takeda and FFL Contributions)
o Disbursed $48,166 from Human Services Emergency Fund for 27
individuals/families Includes $15,000 in assistance to 13 senior tax work off
participants who have been unable to work off part of their tax bills
■ Takeda Balance: $123,685
■ FFL Balance: $25,000
• Holiday Program Update/Changes
o Total Christmas Meals Provided (Seniors and Families): 268
o Holiday "Wish List" Gift Program:
0 60 families (131 children) - $9,425 total spent
3) Recreation Department Report and Request for Funds to be used for Recreation
Scholarship
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. Ms.
Battite stated that in January 2021 year there was a balance of $3,247.90 in the special
Recreation Scholarship Fund which has been already used towards 2021 program assistance. At
this writing, the Recreation Scholarship fund is at$0 balance.
Ms. Battite expressed thanks for the Fund for Lexington's financial support which has assisted
hundreds of families in need to be able to partake in the Town's recreational programming they
may not otherwise been able. Ms. Battite said the Recreation Department respectfully requests
$12,000 from the Fund for Lexington to support 2021 programs such as camps, clinics and
activities during the summer and afterschool hours at a reduced rate based on need as well as
other out of school time activities.
Ms. Barry stated the Recreation Department is planning to use a tent placed outside the
community center for programming for the summer to help with social distancing and source of
financial support is limited.
General Board discussion ensued. All Board members were in agreement that the Fund for
Lexington donation monies earmarked for Covid-19 assistance would be appropriate use as the
tent was being rented to facilitate social distancing for program participants during the pandemic.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Fund for Lexington Board voted 7-0 to
approve $12,000 to the recreation department to provide scholarship monies for recreation
programming and further to provide up to $8000 out of the COVID-19 financial assistance
allocated by the fund for Lexington to the Recreation Department for the use of a rental tent for
the community sector.
4) Other
a) Request for East Lexington Flower Barrels Beautification Project
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Fund for Lexington Board voted 7-0 to
approve $3,900 to pay Wilson Farms for plantings of the East Lexington flower barrels for 2021
per request submitted by Jim Shaw.
5) Next Meeting Dates
The Board reviewed and confirmed the following dates for upcoming Fund for Lexington Board
meetings are September 13, 2021 and December 13, 2021
6) Approval of December 14, 2020 Meeting Minutes
On a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Fund for Lexington Board voted 6-0
(Reverend Ekrem abstained) to approve the December 14, 2020 meeting minutes.