HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-07-COA-min Council of Aging Board Meeting
Town of Lexington July 7, 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, Jyotsna Kakullavarapu, Rich McDonough
Staff: Michelle Kelleher, Melissa Interess, Hemali Shah, Christine Dean, Suzie Barry
Julie-Ann called the meeting to order, took attendance and reviewed briefly Charlie Baker's
instructions on public meetings via Zoom.
Public Comments:Julie-Ann raved about the video on returning to the community center, we
all watched and approved
Approval of June minutes
Staff Reports:
Michelle Kelleher, Senior Services Coordinator
• More programs in person in the tent
• Grab n Go lunch 7/20 with 70 people and waiting list
• Drum n Donuts-intergenerational monthly program 7/23
Melissa Interess, Director of Human Services
No update
Christine Dean, Community Center Director
• Community Center re-opening 7/15 with celebratory give away, staff back 100%
• Youth programs in building.
Tent great resource: exercise, classes, outdoor activity
• Family Campout held at Comm Center hosted 27 tents/families, big success, will
do annually
• Park Pop-up Series:July is Get Outside Month with Park Passports. Participants
visit parks, get stamps. Will all stamps, may enter raffle
• Adult classes (virtual) start this week
• Pool, Res going well
Hemali Shah, Assistant Director, Senior Services
• Fall planning with Minuteman Senior Services
• Taking clinical calls from residents, office and home visits
New Business
Betty and Julie-Ann stepping down from chairs of COA.
Presented and voted unanimously on new slate of officers:
• John Zhao-chair(Julie-Ann will stay on as co-chair)
• Ellen Cameron-vice chair
• Bonnie Teitleman-secretary
Liaison Reports
Minuteman Senior Services -Diana Bishop and Bea Holland -no update
Transportation-Sudhir Jain- Mobility management project working with Lexington, Rt 128,
other communities is grant funded to improve transportation, connectivity across borders;
awaiting completion of survey by stakeholders. MBTA will try for better transit,The Ride has
increased expenses, complaints that it is late. Hope to hold costs down. MBTA pays for$7 of
$10 ride, resident pays $3. Transportation manager Susan doing great job for seniors. Sudhir
had opportunity to use it, high praise.
There is concierge service Go Go Grandparents for people w/no smartphones
FCOA-Sudhir Jain-annual report on FCOA notes 4000+ senior rides enjoyed subsidized
Lexpress. Hemali will send out report to COA.
Commission on Disability-Bonnie Teitleman- no update
Human Services Committee-Betty Borghesani- no update
Recreation Committee Ellen Cameron, Julie-Ann Shapiro- Meeting 7/7, no update
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- 7/1 Board meeting working session 2 topics: Some towns have
Affordable Housing Trust and/or Housing Development Corporations to increase affordable
housing. Selectboard will form task force on affordable housing initiatives in Lexington. HP
Board discussed recommendations to Selectboard. Board discussed future land acquisition
with goals of town conservation, recreation. Historical and housing partnership committees
will collaborate and consider overall town needs.
LexingtonNext Rich M — 100+ participants in virtual meeting to plan Lexington for next 10 yrs.
Major issue: land cost. Affordable housing consensus: do not want segregated, want it
distributed throughout community. Hardest on middle income residents, including seniors,
town workers and others. We reviewed the website.
Mental Health Task Force-Ellen Cameron- no meeting, update
Lexington Center Committee-Sandra Shaw-still discussing parking program, effects on
businesses.
Citizen's Advisory Committee-Ellen Cameron- No meeting or update.
Next meeting of COA: September 1, 20212:30-4PM at the Community Center.
No meeting in August 2021
Submitted by Bonnie Teitleman