HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-02-COA-min RECEIVED
2022 '12 Apir, 145 pm
Council of Aging Board Meeting
Town of Lexington March 2, 2022 TOWN CSE
RK
2:30-3:56 PM
Location: Virtual Meeting via Zoom
LEXINGTON MA
Present: Julie-Ann Shapiro, Camille Goodwin, Ellen Cameron, John Zhao, Sudhir Jain, Sandra
Shaw, Betty Borghesani, Jyotsna Kakullavarapu, Julie Barker, Sue Rockwell
Staff: Christine Dean, Melissa Interess
Liaisons: Bea Holland (Minuteman Senior Services)
Julie Shapiro called the meeting to order at 2:30 PM, took attendance.
Public Comments: None
Minutes: February 2 minutes reviewed and approved
Invited Guest: Martha Duffield, Chief Equity Officer
Chairs the Strategic Equity Advisory Team (SEAT)
Role is to support Human Rights and Disability Commissions and recommend diversity in town's
procurement process. Her individual projects include working with Lexington to build town's
equity, improve communications for all in town (verbally, on-line, in print) and decrease
diversity gaps. She also sits on committee with other area towns to address these issues. She
is involved with town Comprehensive Plan,Transportation needs, Housing needs.
In response to COA concern regarding isolation of seniors, is enthusiastic about block parties.
Would like to work on intergenerational programming.
Contacts: mduffield@lexingtonma.gov, 781-698-4635
Staff Reports:
Christine Dean, Director of Community Center
• Overwhelming response to recent open registration for Recreation Department youth
summer programs
• Adult Recreation registration will open in 2 weeks
• Will be 'pot of gold' scavenger hunt for all ages at Community Center in March
Melissa Interess, Director of Human Services
• Introduced new employee, Wai Chong, Outreach Coordinator. He replaces the nurse,
has background in pharmacy, including experience interacting with seniors. Will do
outreach visits to homebound seniors and have wellness clinic hours. Hours are 8:30—
4:15 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Contact information is wchong@lexingtonma.gov, 781-698-4847
• There have been 1064 senior parking stickers issued to date
• Senior programming is both remote and in person. Senior trips will resume in March
and April
• The long standing Window Pane Shop is closing. Ideas for use of space are welcome
Liaison Reports
• Minuteman Senior Services— Bea Holland and Sudhir Jain. Looking for volunteer drivers
for Meals on Wheels Program. Will be doing virtual spring walk in May to raise money.
Running a virtual support group for caregivers.
• Transportation Advisory Committee—Sudhir Jain. Susan Barrett did presentation of
importance of regionalization in transportation planning to avoid fragmentation and
duplication. Need to break down barriers between transit services, improve door to
door services, make transportation more Age Friendly. Forum on March 24th, 7PM to
9PM to discuss options.
• Lexington Housing Authority—Camille Goodwin. Camille will be stepping down from
this committee. COA will need new representative.
• Vision for Lexington —Jyotsna Kakullavarapu. Sean Dugan invited to meeting. Discussed
improving communication and town web site. Will also invite Martha Duffield. Request
for COA members to complete survey on town web site for Vision for Lexington. This is
ending March 16.
• Lexington Center Committee—Sandra Shaw. Proposing continued free parking in the
center for a year.
• Strategic Equity Advisory Team (SEAT) — Ellen Cameron. Chaired by Martha Duffield. Just
beginning, would be helpful for town staff to attend meetings, need for staff education.
Additional comments:
Sudhir mentioned difficulty of pressing street crossing buttons at some intersections (Lowell
Street) due to snow banks. He will call Department of Public Works.
Question of when we will resume in-person COA meetings. Melissa will check status.
Meeting adjourned at 3:56
Next meeting Wednesday, April 8, 2:30 PM
Respectfully submitted by Betty Borghesani