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Home My WebLink About2021-09-01-COA-min Council of Aging Board Meeting Town of Lexington September 1, 2021 2:30-3:23 PM Zoom Video Conference Present: Bonnie Teitleman, Ellen Cameron,Julie -Ann Shapiro,John Zhao, Sudhir Jain, Sandra Shaw, Gerry Howell, Rich McDonough, Elizabeth Borghesani Staff: Michelle Kelleher, Hemali Shah, Christine Dean, Diana Bishop John Zhao called the meeting to order at 2:3213M, took attendance. Public Comments: None Approval of July minutes Staff Reports: Michelle Kelleher, Senior Services Coordinator • August events: Ice Cream Truck sponsored by Artis attracted 90 seniors, Grab n Go sponsored by Lion's Club had 70 seniors • September events: New logo launch 9/16 tea and treats • Bridges by Epoch (new memory care facility opening 2022) a 3 session book/speaker program on dementia co-sponsored by library • 9/21 Grab n Go Chinese lunch 70 signed up Diana Bishop MMSS representative • Minuteman Senior Services back to masking • MMSS has hired consultant to address health equity, found need for translation services Christine Dean, Community Center Director • Community Center fully open and staffed 9/7 • Classes on Zoom • August park pop-up ice cream social 100 people attended • September pop-up Fairy House grab n go to make fairy houses in Daisy Wilson Meadow • Requesting funding to keep tent open through October Hemali Shah, Assistant Director, Senior Services • RN is leaving for NP training. Hemali will consider a contract RN for interim coverage during her maternity leave • Flu clinics will be held October at Comm Center for seniors. Drive through clinic Bedford Street 10/13, online registration • Stickers for senior parking program sign up 10/4 and 10/6 Transportation Update—Susan Barrett Overview of Lexington transportation options for seniors Highlights: Free travel training available for individuals and groups; FISH will resume October; current medical taxis can run late; would like regional volunteer driver's pool Age Friendly Next Steps Execution Phase • Working group can make suggestions o Julie-Ann suggested visiting seniors in site at Greely Village, other communal sites, to meet, speak w/seniors, offer speakers • John suggested advocacy for seniors in various arenas: town committees, town meeting, encourage more participation, he will put out invitation to participate. New Business • Discovery Day 10/9 10AM-3PM will ask volunteers 2 hour increments Liaison Reports Transportation-Sudhir Jain- Bus has start up $6200. Hope MBTA combined bus routes will be separated FCOA-Sudhir Jain- Lifetime journal available on FCOA website, recommended to COA Commission on Disability-Bonnie Teitleman- New Visitor's Center voted by Selectboard to be made accessible; new rumble steps will be federal yellow, not red; COD will meet with developer on proposed new building for Chase Bank (COD likes to be consulted early in new construction for input, not after); introduction to Martha Duffield, the new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer; some complaints about accessibility with restaurants/sidewalks outdoors Human Services Committee-Betty Borghesani- no update Recreation Committee Ellen Cameron-2 new members; Octoberjoint meeting with COD (Disabilities) on ADA accessibility in town parks since construction costs have increased Lexington Housing-Camille Goodwin no update Vision for Lexington-Jyotsna Kakullavarapu- 3 new members from different cultural organizations. 5 members will work on project on horizontal communication in Lexington with database to build, starting w/outreach; goal: promote civic culture in town Housing Partnership-John Zhao- 8/19 joint meeting on affordable housing Planning Board, Housing Parnership on articles to bring to town meeting • Language to be modified to reflect racial,disability and equity concerns • Change policies on parking, number of garages • Encouragement of density, change zoning to allow for multifamily units • Selectboard will establish committee/trust for affordable housing Mental Health Task Force-Ellen Cameron- no meeting, update LexingtonNext Rich McDonough Public Forum on Housing in Lexington 9/21 see website www.LexingtonNext.org Lexington Center Committee-Sandra Shaw- Mass Ave will not be closed during construction Citizen's Advisory Committee-Ellen Cameron- may be dissolved, unclear. Next meeting of COA: October 6, 20212:30 -4PM at the Community Center. Submitted by Bonnie Teitleman