HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-02-COA-min RECEIVED
2022 21 l ir, 103 l iu s
Council of Aging Board Meeting
Town of Lexington February 2, 2022 1 OWN CLERK
2:30-3:52 PM
Zoom Video Conference LEXINGTON
Present: Julie-Ann Shapiro, Bonnie Teitleman, Ellen Cameron, John Zhao, Sudhir Jain, Sandra Shaw,
Jyotsna Kakullavarapu, Sue Rockwell, Julie Barker
Staff: Michelle Kelleher, Melissa Interess, Christine Dean
Julie -Ann Shapiro called the meeting via zoom to order at 2:32 PM, took attendance.
Public Comments: None
Approval of January minutes
Staff Reports:
Michelle Kelleher, Senior Services Coordinator
• New initiative 10 part Health and Wellness Program being run by Regis Occupational Health grad
students; 1512 sessions on zoom.
• Lunches sponsored by MMSS now grab 'n go but will be onsite Valentine's lunch sponsored by
FCOA
• Senior Tax Prep w/AARP hopes to help 50 low income seniors to do taxes
Melissa Interess, Director Human Services
• Rewrote job description from RN to Health Outreach position to allow for more varied health
professionals; hired clinician with pharmacy background who is beginning mid-February, 20 hr/wk
• Approval to use ARP funding for a mental health clinician who will come through a contracted
agency to provide immediate services to Lexington residents
Christine Dean, Director of Community Center
• Registration for summer programs opens 3/1, brochure soon
• 2 public meetings: Playground Improvements 2/2 7PM zoom; Hardcourt reconstruction 2/9 of
tennis and basketball courts
Age FriendlV Initiative
John Zhao 1/26 meeting update:
• Transportation advocacy, senior parking at Community Center. Sudhir noted may be possible for
seniors to park at upper level, will need detailed request and Select Board approval
• Sudhir advocating for Lexpress to extend hours of free rides for seniors
o Still seeing lower ridership due to COVID
• Housing advocacy-home modifications to help seniors age in place; will do survey 3/22-4/22
New Board members welcomed:
• Julie Barker is an RN Lexington resident of many years. She has worked in public health, volunteer
roles and research. She is passionate about mental health.
• Sue Rockwell is a retired attorney who has been active in many Lexington activities, including the
Hancock Church, LexMedia, Cary lecture series, tax write off program. She is now volunteering in
the Town Clerk's office
Liaison Reports
• Transportation Advisory Committee -Sudhir Jain- looking for wheelchair taxis, Rt 62 and 76 bus
lines back in service but some disruption in service as drivers out sick
• FCOA- Sudhir Jain- Fundraised + $10,000; Lifetime copies in library and Community Center; $3000
Bright Ideas mini grant program available
• Minuteman Senior Services-Bea Holland-Sudhir Jain wants to publicize MMSS services. Covid
affecting availability of home care workers; clients can now hire their own help and arrange for
them to be paid by MMSS.
• Commission on Disability-Bonnie Teitleman- new Commission members; discussed crosswalks,
traffic signals; COD and HRC are doing extensive survey to evaluate the effect of Covid on disabled
residents and their caregivers, families.
• Recreation Committee Julie Ann Shapiro no update; note that people are shoveling synthetic turf,
should be discouraged
• Lexington Housing-Camille Goodwin no update
• Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee- no liaison, John Z will reach out
• Vision for Lexington-Jyotsna Kakullavarapu- 700+ responses to survey; need Hindi translator;
survey results will be analyzed, report by end of year
• Housing Partnership-John Zhao-4 items discussed:
o Open Space development, preservation vs affordable housing
■ Attainable housing does not translate into housing for seniors
o Vine Street project-town bought conservation land, proposal LexHab build 6 units w/2 for
disabled or seniors
o Connect with Select Board for CPA project to make sure affordable housing will have equal
standing
o Article to allow changes in Center around the bus to allow 3 stories
• Mental Health Task Force-Ellen Cameron-will publicize Mental Health Community Assessment
report during 3/14 meeting of Select Board and School Committee
• Lexington Center Committee-Sandra Shaw- met 1/13 discussed MBTA housing plans and parking
with concerns on zoning
• Strategic Equity Advisory Ellen Cameron had meeting with few in attendance; Martha Duffield
meeting 1:1 with members
Next meeting of COA : March 2, 2022 2:30 -4PM by Zoom;
Submitted by Bonnie Teitleman