HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-01-COA-minTown of Lexington Council on Aging Board Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Lexington Community Center Dining Room
2:00-4: 00 p m
Present: Betty Borghesani (co-chair), Julie Ann Shapiro (co-chair), Nancy Adler, Ellen Cameron (vice -
chair), Camille Goodwin, Sophia Ho, Gerry Howell, Marion Kilson (secretary), Harry Mackay, Rich
McDonough
Staff: Kelly Axtell, Melissa Battite, Hemali Patel, Charlotte Rodgers
Selectmen's Liaison: Michelle Ciccolo
Public Comment: Following Julie Ann Shapiro's opening of the meeting, Charlotte Rodgers announced
that Kelly Axtell has been appointed Assistant Town Manager and that she looks forward to continuing
to work with Kelly in her new role. The COA Board expressed its appreciation of Kelly's fine work as
Assistant Director of Senior Services.
Review of February COA Board Meeting Minutes: accepted as presented
"Age Friendly Community" Presentation: Caitlin Coyle and Jan Mutchler of the Center for Social &
Demographic Research on Aging at the University of Massachusetts -Boston made a very engaging
presentation on "Envisioning an Age -Friendly Lexington." The content of their presentation which
focused on demographic trends in Lexington and the needs assessment process for evaluating age -
friendly communities is conveyed in the attached powerpoint print-out. During and after their
presentation, Dr. Coyle and Dr. Mutchler responded effectively to questions from COA Board members
and members of the audience which included several Lexington town officials.
Staff Reports: Kelly Axtell reported that AARP appointments are continuing. Hemali Patel reported that
the Lion King trip had been cancelled. Charlotte Rodgers reported that a $40,000 grant application to
the Dana Home Foundation was just submitted to fund transportation for the Wednesday evening Lex
Eat Together program, to support the part-time positions of Dietician and Volunteer Coordinator, to
fund the Age Friendly Initiative mentioned above, as well as the Lex -Connect program. Charlotte also
noted that under the new $680,000 Lexpress contract not only will the buses be upgraded but a fourth
flexible bus route may be introduced. Melissa Battite, the new Recreation Director, expressed interest
in speaking to the COA Board about plans for her department including plans for intergenerational
programing, a children's book area at the CC, and cross-cultural seasonal events.
Liaison Reports: OWLL Marion Kilson distributed brochures for the Spring 2017 OWLL courses and
encouraged Board members' participation in the program. CC Program Advisory Committee: Nancy
Adler reported that the meeting with Melissa Battite had been one of the more successful sessions.
Housing Partnershiop: Rich McDonough expects to have a report at the April COA Board meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Marion Kilson, Secretary