HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-03-COA-minTown of Lexington Council on Aging Board Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
2:30 -3:35 pm
Lexington Community Center, Dining Room
Present: Betty Borghesani (co- chair), Julie Ann Shapiro (co- chair), Nancy Adler, Camille Goodwin,
Marion Kilson, Harry Mackay, Rich McDonough
Staff Present: Kelly Axtell, Sheila Butts, Hemali Patel
Opening of Meeting
Betty Borghesani opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and explaining that she and Julie Ann
Shapiro would be taking turns chairing COA meetings.
Public Comment
Jean Lee presented a detailed program proposal to revitalize the focus of the peer -led Money Matters
group onto financial issues, rather than "Town Matters." It was agreed that her proposal would be
scanned and distributed to COA members, attached to the minutes of the meeting, and addressed at the
September COA meeting.
Another attendee recommended that symphony visits and museum visits be part of senior
programming.
Review of May Minutes:
Revision to note Camille Goodwin's attendance and to correct spelling of Julie Ann Shapiro's name. The
minutes were unanimously approved as revised.
Review of June Minutes
Revision to correct spelling of Julie Ann Shapiro's name and to correct spelling in the final paragraph
relating to "exciting" rather than "exiting transitional times for seniors in Lexington." The minutes were
approved as revised.
Staff Reports
• Hemali Patel reported on the successful wine tour trip with pictures currently on Facebook and
on the upcoming trip to Martha's Vineyard in two buses. She also noted that hereafter COA
meetings will be held in Room 237.
• Kelly Axtell introduced Philip Doyle from the Edinburg Center who will be a Human Services
intern until May 2017; he will be assisting the department 24 hours weekly. She reported that
on August 25 there will be a barbeque with an opportunity to learn more about stroke
symptoms and what to expect if you take an ambulance ride with Alicia Grunes, Human Services
nurse, and members of the Lexington Fire Department. Kelly asked that a couple of COA board
members contact her, if they are able to serve food at the barbeque.
• Sheila Butts reported that there will be an end of summer celebration for families and
individuals at the Community Center — people may bring picnics or purchase food from food
trucks. There will be a kids DJ and "The Lego Movie" at dusk.
OWLL Update
Marion Kilson reported that after three years of vital support from the Dana Home Foundation,
the OWLL program will become self- sufficient this year. She read Jane Trudeau's cover letter to the final
report prepared by her and Shirley Stolz; the letter outlined the impact and growth of OWLL over the
past three years. Marion also noted the seven courses that will be offered in the Fall which are
publicized in the Senior Services Newsletter, the Recreation Fall Bulletin, and on the Friends of the
Council on Aging website. All are invited to attend the Fall Reception to learn more about courses and
instructors on Wednesday, September 14, 3 -5pm in the Community Center.
Senior Programming
In September the COA Board will discuss the formation of a new volunteer program committee to assist
in developing ideas for senior programming. It probably will be an essentially brainstorming group.
Among the issues to be discussed are the relationship between this group and the Program Advisory
Committee for the Community Center and the possibility of FCOA providing supportive grants to new
program ideas.
Board Vacancy
It was announced that there is a board vacancy. Interested persons should apply through the Town
Manager's Office.
COA Email Set Up
Persons who not COA board members should contact the COA Board through the town email
(c ?_unc nagin.g .._Ir^ 1 „n „gt ?„i~rma.g ?u). The email site will be monitored by the COA Board co- chairs.
Liaison Reports
Nancy Adler suggested that the Board review the liaison assignments to see if the appropriate
committees are being addressed and if board members wish to assume new assignments.
Most committees did not meet or liaisons were unable to attend in July, so there were no reports about
committees. However the Disability Commission will meet tomorrow night. Also 20/20 Demographic
Task Force does not have a liaison at present.
Announcements
Kelly Axtell announced that active recruitment for a Volunteer Coordinator is in process. The application
phase probably will end soon, so person interested in this new part -time position should apply through
the town website.
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:35 carried.
Next COA Board Meeting scheduled for September 7, 2016
Respectfully submitted,
Marion Kilson
Secretary