HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-13-FFLB-minMINUTES
FUND FOR LEXINGTON BOARD
March 13, 2023
4:00 p.m.
held by remote participation
Present: Doug Lucerne, Chair; Norman Cohen; Ed Grant; Rev. Claire Feingold Thoryn; Joe Pato; Alan
Wrigley; Melissa Interess, Director of Human Services and Kim Katzenback, Executive Clerk to the
Select Board.
Mr. Lucerne stated the remote participation meeting is being held remotely as posted with the agenda.
1) Money Available as of 2/28/2023 Ending Principal balance: $302,880.13
Ending Income balance: $15,835.49
2) Human Services Report
Ms. Interess reported the following activity for the Human Services funds dispersed for the period:
• Fund for Lexington
o $2,846.71 out of the Heating Assistance Program for one family (Remaining balance
$3,843.44)
• Human Services Emergency Fund (non COVID related)
o $8,405.35 (Rent, Mortgage, Moving, and Utility Assistance) for 6 families
o $2,569.26 (Moving, utility, repair expenses) for 3 families
o Lexpress subsidized passes fiscal year to date - 38 passes and 5 replacement passes for a
total value of $8,980
o Gift Cards - $21,600 disbursed to 116 households in food cards, $125 in food/clothing
cards
o Provided over 200 adult and family meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas time
o Provided —100 gift cards for families in need of holiday gifts for their children — value of
$7,500
• Covid-19 Financial Assistance (Takeda and FFL Contributions)
o Disbursed $4,753.50 from Human Services Emergency Fund for 2 families this period for
Covid-19 related assistance
■ Takeda Balance: $40,886.82
■ FFL Balance: $25,000
3) Recreation Department Report
Ms. Battite, Recreation Director, was unable to attend the meeting. In her stead, Mr. Lucerne stated the
Recreation report, included in the meeting packet, provides an update regarding the Recreation
Scholarship Fund. This scholarship fund used to assist children from low income families attend Town
sponsored summer programs. Mr. Lucerne stated the Recreation Department respectfully requests $4,000
from the Fund for Lexington to support recreation scholarship awards through the 2023 season.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Fund for Lexington Board voted 6-0 to approve
$4,000 be dispersed from the Fund for Lexington to the recreation scholarship program to assist residents
in need for recreation programming.
4) Other
• January 20, 2023 Human Services Request — Rent assistance
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Fund for Lexington Board voted 6-0, 1 to ratify
the approval of the January 20, 2023 Human Services Request — Rental assistance for I family in the
amount of $5,220.00
• Request for East Lexington Flower Barrels Beautification Project
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Fund for Lexington Board voted 6-0 to approve
$4,650 to pay Wilson Farms for plantings and maintenance of the 30 flower barrels along Massachusetts
Avenue in East Lexington for 2023 season per request submitted by Jim Shaw.
5) Discuss Return to In -Person Public Meetings
Mr. Lucerne stated the provisions for extending fully remote participation meetings is targeted to stop on
March 31, 2023. He noted there is possibility the State may extend the remote participation meeting
provision for an additional two-year period.
General Board discussion ensued. The Board acknowledged, if the provision was not extended, they
would return to meeting in person at the Town Office Building. If the State's provision is extended, the
Board was in agreement to continue meeting via zoom in a fully remote participation format.
6) Proposed Meeting dates
The Board reviewed and confirmed the following dates for upcoming Fund for Lexington Board
meetings:
• June 12, 2023
• September 11, 2023
• December 4, 2023
7) Approval of December 5, 2022 Meeting Minutes
On a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Fund for Lexington Board voted 6-0 to approve the
December 5, 2022 meeting minutes.