HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-03-COA-min
Town Council on Aging Board Meeting Minutes
Date: April 3, 2024
Attendance: Michelle Kelleher, Sudhir Jain, Sandra Shaw, Ellen Cameron, Julie Ann Shapiro, Jyotsna
Kakullavarapu, John Zhao, Zehra Yark-han, Charles James , Sue Rockwell, Laureen Fiola, Suzie Barry,
Kelsey Rollins, Christine Dean, Dana Bickelman, Jonas Miller
Agenda:
1. Public Comments: No public comments were made.
2. Review/Approve March 6, 2024 Minutes COA: The minutes were reviewed. Ellen mentioned
that the mental health section should include Dana along with Ellen and Jythosda. Sue motioned
for approval, seconded by Sudhir. The minutes were approved unanimously.
3. Staff Reports and Program Updates:
○ Michelle: Lunch and Learn scheduled for May 6, 11:30 AM to 2 PM, focusing on suicide
prevention. FCOA held a seminar last week on training for senior anti-fraud in Middlesex
County.
○ Kelsey: Reported that 26 seniors attended a nutrition talk with benefits of bees and
honey. A movie was shown to 15 people on April 16..
○ Christine: Introduced new staff member Wai Yin. Mentioned National Public Health
Week events across town. On April 2, a documentary about social injustice was shown
at the Lexington venue, attended by 9 people. On April 3, a lunch hour lesson was held
at the central field. A free blood pressure class was also offered. Other programs, mostly
fitness classes like stretch and bend, and breathing classes, will start next week.
Christine thanked Laurie for the donation of beautiful weights. She also mentioned a call
for artists, a grant from the Lexington Council on Arts, and the selection of three artists
for the hallways. A member of the COA board will be on the selection board. Hemali will
join as well. The board will have five members.
○ Dana: Will provide an update later.
4. Jonas Miller, Director of Communications – Senior Survey: J onas is working with Michelle and
Kelsey on improving senior community communication. A draft survey has been created,
with the original idea being a mailer, but a digital version is also being considered. The
survey will be available as a Google form and on the town website, with more questions
based on feedback. The survey is senior-specific, as the senior population is harder to reach,
and the younger population is more digital. Jonas mentioned this idea came from the job
interview when he was hired. When asked about the number of Sage bi-monthly, Michelle
mentioned that 4200 copies are sent, with about 1000 digital copies sent. John brought up
the topic of translation, and Jonas mentioned that Google has a translation feature. Jonas
looked at the results of the Lexington version from 5 years ago and concluded that the town-
wide survey is not suitable for seniors. Suzie asked about digital and funding sources. Jonas
will ask the COA and will reach out to the town manager. The group also talked about adding
a survey page to the Sage, but they need to be mailed back. Jonas mentioned that the
Sustainability office is doing digital. When Ellen asked about the survey questions, Jonas
mentioned that he will share the digital version. Jonas read through some questions, asked
about the preference of way to communicate, asked about the service area they want to get
the notification, and asked about the challenge of communication. The digital version
expands more questions.. John offered Madrina translation. Sudhir mentioned that
Minuteman service translates, but healthcare cannot be translated. Meals on Wheels did not
want to translate. Laurie suggested that aside from communication, maybe add one main
senior concern. Jonas mentioned that he will follow up with Dana and Michelle and will make
sure to get a digital copy.
5. Update on Age Friendly Working Group Meeting: Dana mentioned that the age-friendly
application was sent to Jim and will be presented to the Select Board after the town meeting.
Suzie offered the assist and will talk offline.
6. Discuss Meet & Greet: John mentioned that they will have a meet & greet at Brookhaven at
10:00 AM tomorrow. Brookhaven Director of Community Living helped to facilitate, and they
will have refreshments from its kitchen. Julie mentioned that she will join. We will see how it
goes and then plan to go to other communities. John suggested that they may want to consider
applying for FCOA funding for the meet & greet program.
7. New Business/Announcements: Sue asked whether they can have a table for Discovery
Lexington Memorial weekend. Dana mentioned that she would love to and will apply today. Sue
mentioned that she can bring a table, and Michelle mentioned that we have a tent.
8. Liaison Reports:
○ Minuteman Senior Services – Sudhir Jain: Sudhir reported that Bea resigned. The senior
nutrition program month was on March 20. Michelle Siccolo joined. In February 2023,
210K meals were delivered, including home delivery for 7 days. 800 individuals
participated in congregated senior dining. The Meals on Wheels program had a change
of condition application for safety. The CoC identifies health and safety concerns to
improve intervention. With any potential safety concerns, the driver will check the CoC
and the care manager will call the client.
○ Transportation Committee: No updates.
○ FCOA – Sudhir Jain: The FCOA issue was discussed. The current balance is $13K,
proposing a transfer from the trusty fund of $9K. $10K for transportation and $10K for
senior service. The previous $3K funding cost was discussed. They consulted on
fundraising. Dana suggested talking to someone from Melont(?). Kelsey talked about
fundraising Lifetimes cost. The OWLA program balances out.
○ Disability Commission: Laurie reported a discussion about the rotary, engineering
reached out to the disability community, and the RE department talked about more
inclusive activities.
○ Recreation Committee – Julie Ann Shapiro: No updates.
○ Lexington Housing Authority: Sue reported that the Vinbrooke project came to an end.
Relocated people mostly moved back. Total cost was $5.6M, fully funded by 7 sources.
New commission member candidates will go to select a board to fill.
○ Vision for Lexington: Jyotsna was not present.
○ Housing Partnership: John reported that the HPB board spent most of its effort on
supporting town meeting article 23.
○ Lexington Center Committee: Sandra reported on the planning board article. June 20th
move for the police station. a new high-end coffee and beverage that goes to the old
Starbucks place. Voted for the wine license article.
○ Strategic Equity Advisory Team (SEAT): Ellen reported that there was no meeting.
9. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 3:49 PM.
Submitted by John Zhao