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Home My WebLink About2023-03-01-COA-min Town of Lexington Council of Aging Board Meeting Wednesday March 1, 2023 2:38-3:59 PM Hybrid Conference Present: Julie-Ann Shapiro, Betty Borghesani, Bonnie Teitleman, John Zhao, Sudhir Jain, Sandra Shaw, Sue Rockwell, Julie Barker, Jyotsna Kakullavarapu Staff: Michelle Kelleher, Bea Holland (MMSS) , Christine Dean Mark Sandeen (Select Board liaison) John called the meeting via zoom to order at 2:32 PM, took attendance. Public Comments: None Review and Approval February minutes Transportation Update- Susan Barrett Select Board approved funding for 2024 Transportation Demand Management (TDM) • TAC is proposing a $20 annual pass for all people, including seniors, to generate interest, bring people back, simplify payments. o Must maintain cash fair by law. o Financial assistance is available for those who are in need. o By having prepaid pass, it allows us to get some ridership data. • There is a brand new ad hoc Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) looking at funding options for LEXPRESS and other transportation. • COA should keep tab on pedestrian and bike master plan. Most residents are at least walkers even if have assistance. Infrastructure is critical. • Many are advocating for enhanced transportation for seniors including Select Board, Age Friendly, Transportation, Vision for Lexington, TriTown study, etc. COA is not alone. • Micro Transit— researching since 2018 to see if Lexington Bedford and Burlington can merge and provide better services. o Town managers did not want to pay more for more services, so they did not move forward. o Services would be more costly and more than all our current Lexington transportation combined. • MAPC put out a request for micro transit vendors. 6 vendors attended. o On average with micro transit (on demand service) it would average three rides per vehicle per hour. o Pros — may be better service for impaired who can't use other forms of transport. Wait time would be shorter. o Cons — it doesn't scale i.e. the more demand you have the more vehicles and money are needed. o Also state law— meant to reduce harmful effects of TNCs (micro transit is a TNC) therefore imputes a fee to each ride to offset harmful impact i.e. wear and tear on road, traffic, etc. o Alternative is to use demand services for those who need it the most or where there is no public transportation. o Newton opened it up to all and resulting issues included kids using it for trips to Chipotle, etc. • Taxi with Checker Cab of Woburn expires soon. o Can we work with more than one vendor? o Checker is struggling with drivers so can't meet the demand. • We do have a taxi grant from the state to help fund medical and workforce transportation. • Lyft— there is a way to book without a smartphone. Go Go grandparent for booking. Lyft concierge via a communication center or call center which is expensive. • Burlington senior taxi program — pay $1 and Burlington pays next $10 and if above, senior pays the rest. • Advocacy for more funding for medical appointment transportation: o We have FISH which is free. Doesn't always have the capacity. Medical appointments are all over and this takes a lot of funding. o Some insurance pays for rides to appointments. Can advocate for more legislation for that. o Talk to legislators about integrating demand responsive services i.e.. EOHHS, paratransit (Ride/RideFlex) Veterans, etc. Some people are eligible under more than one program. o Advocate to integrate transportation resources. o Holistic approach - build partners and funding for transportation services. We have 54 vehicles including schools — 36 buses, 15 vans. Could use vans and drivers for schools and seniors. o Better utilize what we have i.e. school vans when not in use could provide transportation at other times maybe even on demand PLUS employs drivers Process regarding hosting & support/nonsupport when asked by advocacy groups • COA does not currently have a stated process for determining how to respond when an advocacy group wishes to make a presentation to the COA; and • the COA does not currently have a stated process for determining whether an issue that is brought to the COA by an advocacy group is the type of issue on which the COA should take a position. • Mark S. - if it is your realm, hear them. If it is outside your charge, don't. • COA will vote whether or not to have a group come to speak, and if the COA votes to hear the group's position, a vote will be taken after-the-fact regarding whether or not it is a subject that is appropriate for the COA to take a position (of support or non-support). Staff Reports: Michelle Kelleher, Senior Services Director for Christine Dean, Community Center: • Lincoln Field Park Community Meeting to be held. • Spring Registration 3/14 Michelle Kelleher, Senior Services Director: • Human Services is having a panel regarding health care options which are often confusing. Sponsored by Youville. In-person. • Student run Mahjong lessons are very popular with a large wait list. • St. Patrick's day luncheon is on 3/17. Liaison Reports: Minuteman Senior Services- Sudhir Jain, Bea Holland: • 3 grants including one to deal with hoarding and one to deal with housing coordination. • Capacity assessments are available. • Still have a shortage of providers for direct services. There is a 150-person waitlist. It is a national problem. • Have great volunteers but still need volunteers for Minuteman board. Boxborough, Wilmington and Woburn all need representatives, plus a spiritual member. • March focus is Meals on Wheels. Transportation: (above) FCOA - Sudhir Jain, Betty Borghesani: • FCOA, COA joint mtg possibility April. • Fundraiser $9500, $4000 short from last year, exploring new major projects. Commission on Disability - Bonnie Teitleman: • David Pinsonneault updated on farmer's market, practice field Worthen Rd will be smoothed to meet standards; will reserve 4 spaces accessibility; sidewalks inspected annually Recreation Committee - Julie-Ann no update Lexington Housing Authority - Susan Rockwell: Vision for Lexington - Jyotsna Kakullavarapu: -Chief Equity Office (Hemali) and town wide candidates forum — answered questions regarding DEI initiatives Housing Partnership - John Zhao: • MBTA community zoning change discussed town center. The maximum height allowed was changed from 60 feet to 52 for mix use buildings. HPB voted in support of this. • Open Space and Special Permit Zoning coming to Town Meeting— goal is to make changes to existing zooming laws. Add incentives to for affordability. HPB voted in support. • How to use or leverage any new acquisitions of land. Historically most property is acquired for conservation but Housing Partnership looks to balance conservation vs affordability. Mental Health Task Force-Ellen Cameron- no update Lexington Center Committee-Sandra Shaw- updating signage in stores, center; parking enforcement starts 2/1, senior parking , attractive Depot bus shelter Strategic Equity Advisory Ellen Cameron -committee decided to meet every other month Meeting adjourned Next meeting of COA : March 29, 2023 2:30 -4PM hybrid Community Center/Zoom Submitted by Bonnie Teitleman and Julie-Ann Shapiro