HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-03-COA-min RECEIVED
2021 07 P° , 5Ipii7'i
Council of Aging Board Meeting TOWN CLERK
Town of Lexington November 3, 2021 LEXINGTON MA
2:30-3:50 PM
Zoom Video Conference
Present: Julie-Ann Shapiro, Bonnie Teitleman, Ellen Cameron, John Zhao, Sudhir Jain, Sandra
Shaw, Camille Goodwin, Betty Borghesani, Bea Holland, Suzie Barry
Staff: Michelle Kelleher, Hemali Shah, Christine Dean, Melissa Interess, Sharon Gunda
John Zhao called the meeting to order at 2:34PM, took attendance.
Public Comments: None
Approval of October minutes
Staff Reports:
Hemali Shah, Senior Services Director
■ Parking stickers 1300 so far
Michelle Kelleher, Senior Services Coordinator
o In person and virtual programs
■ Harvest Festival 10/23 organized with Recreation 250+ attended
■ 11/11 Thanksgiving luncheon, 50 registered
Christine Dean, Community Center Director
Winter program registration starts 12/7
o Mini sessions 4 exercise classes on zoom
o October Pop-up on Dyslexia and ADHD movie, info at Comm Center, story
board walk at park
o November pop-up- Daffodils for Diabetes-family planting bulbs at Comm
Center
o Work on annual budget
Age Friendly-John Zhao met with group 10/27 to discuss initiatives:
• Affordable housing- Sandra Shaw, John Zhao, Betty Borghesani
o Town creating committee for Affordable Housing, looking for
volunteers
o Proposed zoom panel discussion with COA, Affordable housing to
discuss diversity, goals, options for seniors, CPAC, Housing
Partners, LexHab, Lex at Home, Tax Exempt
■ Looking at zoning changes
• Home Safety-Ellen C and Betty B
o Meeting 11/9 with Johns Hopkins Capable program for seniors
o Consider grant (Dana Home) to offer seniors in need of home
repairs,
o Like Boston Senior Home Repair program
• Transportation-Sudhir Jain
o Explore increasing free Lexpress service to seniors from 9:30AM-
2:30PM to 3PM, increase cost
o Bus B line most used from Depot Square to Market Basket, Mall,
Lahey, Countryside
o Senior parking at Comm Center not discussed yet
4. Social Inclusion-Julie-Ann
Would like to build on last year's commerce program, will give thought
New Business
Rich McDonough will step down from COA after 5 yrs to spend more time in FLA
Question if Gerry Howell is still on COA, John will reach out to clarify
Liaison Reports
Transportation-Sudhir Jain- 3 towns (Bedford, Lexington, Burlington) Exec Director looking to
create project to coordinate all transport in these communities to increase efficiency, manage
cost; 12/20 Buses 62 and 76 running individually am and pm but combined during day; volume
on LexConnect slowly increasing
FCOA- Sudhir Jain-will send fundraising letter mid-November; current balance: $20,473;
meetings on zoom
Minuteman Senior Services-Bea Holland-November annual meeting with state senator and
representative, very supportive
Commission on Disability-Bonnie Teitleman- Historic District Commission wants COD approval
for 8' (not 6') benches; architect recommending survey on Munroe Center to assess
accessibility, improve stairs, elevator, gender neutral bathrooms to create master plan, ADA
compliance; Transportation Advisory Committee wants COD approval for bus shelter in Depot
Square outbound; Melissa Battite and Kate DeAngelis presented therapeutic recreation and
capital project updates to provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities
Human Services Committee-Betty Borghesani- Only 1 committee member at present, Melissa
notes vacancies on committee so no update
Recreation Committee Julie Ann Shapiro reminded that COA has decided to review their
monthly agenda to see if there is content relevant to COA, only attend part of meetings of
concern
Lexington Housing-Camille Goodwin no update
Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee-Rich McDonough- no update
Vision for Lexington-Jyotsna Kakullavarapu- no update
Housing Partnership-John Zhao- no meeting
Mental Health Task Force-Ellen Cameron- reorganizing after pandemic, Melissa Interess will
reconvene early 2022, has volunteers for task force
LexingtonNext Rich McDonough no update
Lexington Center Committee-Sandra Shaw-Visitor's Center ribbon cutting, some businesses
not coming back
Citizen's Advisory Committee-Ellen Cameron- no update
Next meeting of COA: December 1, 20212:30-413M location TBD.
Submitted by Bonnie Teitleman