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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-11-FFLB-min MINUTES FUND FOR LEXINGTON BOARD September 11, 2023 4:02 p.m. held by remote participation Present: Doug Lucente, Chair; Norman Cohen; Ed Grant; Rev. Claire Feingold Thoryn; Alan Fields; Alan Wrigley; Melissa Interess, Director of Human Services; and Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation. Mr. Lucente stated the remote participation meeting is being held remotely as posted with the agenda. 1) Money Available as of 7/31/2023 Ending Principal balance: $315,547.81 Ending Income balance: $5,357.83 2) Human Services Human Services Report Ms. Interess reported the following activity for the Human Services funds dispersed for the period:  Fund for Lexington o $900.42 out of the Heating Assistance Program for one family (Remaining balance - $2,552.93)  Human Services Emergency Fund (non COVID related) $7,196.55 Rent assistance, car payment, electric bill across six families  Human Services Gift Fund (non COVID related) $3,040.33 rent, washer/dryer, utility bills for 3 families  Lexpress subsidized passes fiscal year to date - 15 passes for a total value of $300  Gift Cards - $1300 in food cards; Wegman’s Gift Card Program $27,975 disbursed to 142 households  Covid-19 Financial Assistance (Takeda and FFL Contributions) o Disbursed $2,223.78 for Covid-19 related assistance, J. Malloy approved transferring $25,000 from Takeda Balance for post-Covid needs funding.  Takeda Balance: $11,188.04  FFL Balance: $25,000 Request for Funds Holiday Program: Ms. Interess stated that Human Services is gearing up for another holiday program season. Due to the success of the Wegmans gift card program in identifying families we haven’t met before, we have the potential to serve nearly double the number of families/children in the holiday program as compared to last year. We estimate serving roughly 105 families (compared to 44 last year) with 220 children (compared to 103 kids last year). Ms. Interess asked if the Fund for Lexington could support a larger donation in 2023 in order to serve the growth. She stated the financial contribution would be nearly $6000, contingent on other partners also being willing to fund more families as well. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Fund for Lexington Board voted 6-0 to disperse $6,000 from the Fund for Lexington for the upcoming 2023 holiday gift program, administered by the Human Services Department, for families in need. Ms. Interess also asked if the Fund for Lexington could provide $5,000 to supplement the current Heating Assistance Program balance. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Fund for Lexington Board voted 6-0 to support and disperse $5,000 from the fund for Lexington to the Human Services Heating Assistance Program for the upcoming 2023-2024 heating season. Ms. Interess explained that the $14,000, previously approved from the Fund for Lexington COVID funds, was not used since Boston’s Metro Housing colocation program was not offered. The Board was in agreement to continue to earmark those funds towards a housing and homelessness prevention specialist program. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Fund for Lexington Board voted 6-0 to support using $14,000 from the COVID funds for a pilot program with a housing and homelessness prevention specialist program through the Human Services Department. 3) Recreation Department Report Ms. Battite reviewed the Recreation Scholarship Fund report. The Recreation Scholarship Fund is used to assist children from low income families to attend Town sponsored summer programs. Recreation Department thanks the Fund for Lexington for their support. She noted the report shows a balance of negative $1,380. The memo from the Recreation Department respectfully requests $1,380 to replenish the balance and additional $8,000 from the Fund for Lexington to support recreation scholarship awards now through the Spring 2024, for a total financial ask of $9,380. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Fund for Lexington Board voted 6-0 to approve $9380 to the Recreation Department to provide scholarship monies for recreation programming to cover the winter 2023 and spring 2024 season. 4) Annual Appeal Letter The Board discussed the Fund for Lexington Annual Appeal letter and provided Mr. Lucente feedback regarding the content. It was agreed Mr. Lucente would update the letter accordingly. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Fund for Lexington Board voted 6-0 to approve the Fund for Lexington annual appeal letter to be sent in November of 2023 and allow the chair to make minor revisions as necessary. 5) Discuss Fund for Lexington Report for the FY2023 Annual Report The Board discussed the Fund for Lexington report for the Town’s FY2023 Annual Report. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Fund for Lexington Board voted 6-0 to approve the Fund for Lexington Annual Report for FY2023 with the edits as noted, and allowing the chair to make any minor revisions as necessary prior to submission. 6) Approval of June 12, 2023 Meeting Minutes On a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Fund for Lexington Board voted 6-0 to approve the June 12, 2023 meeting minutes. 7) Proposed Meeting dates The Board confirmed December 4, 2023 as the next Fund for Lexington Board meeting.