HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-06-COA-min
Meeting Minutes
Council on Aging
March 6, 2024
Attendees: In -person: John Zhao, Julie-Ann Shapiro, Ellen Cameron, Sue
Rockwell, Sudhir Jain, Sandra Shaw, Zehra Yar-Kahn Michelle Kelleher; On Zoom:
Julie Barker, Charles James; Jyotsna Kakullavarapu
John Z. called the meeting to order at 2:33 pm.
1. Public comments – No comments. Ken Bruss attended on Zoom to listen to
meeting, as he is considering applying to COA.
2. March 6, 2024 Minutes - approved with minor edits.
3. Update on COA Charge - board voted and approved. Michelle will forward
to Town Manager for next steps.
4. Age-Friendly Working Group update:
- AARP Age-Friendly designation for Lexington: Michelle inquired and
reported that AARP will not require that we undertake a new study or
update the 2018 UMass study. They do not consider it outdated. We will
need to have additional committee members, but our working group is a
start, we just need to add members from other groups. We won’t need
to go through the study process again at any point in the process, similar
to Belmont, Bedford and Winchester. We will need a letter from the
Town Manager. We would like to see a list of other Age-Friendly
communities. Doug Lucente and the Select Board shares the goal of
applying to become designated as an Age-Friendly Community. We will
need an action plan to continue to improve on the eight domains.
- Becoming a Dementia-Friendly Community is also a goal.
- We do not need to request funding to apply for Age-Friendly
designation, however there may be resources and funds needed to
execute a plan.
5. Meet and Greets:
- We are in discussion with Brookhaven to have a meet and greet in early
April. We will pursue other groups i.e., religious groups, residential
communities, etc. after we have the first meet and greet.
6. Staff Reports and Program Updates:
- Kelsey said events have had a good turnout.
- Michelle found an audiologist that will do home visits.
- Michelle also found someone who will be coming in June for Alzheimer
Awareness. Looking for someone to do podiatry for homebound seniors.
Charles will reach out to someone he knows.
- Knoxbox (Rapid Access System) – Michelle said this is needed if fire
department is necessary and resident isn’t able to let them in. Need
funding.
- Newest vaccine will be available for homebound seniors.
7. New business:
- we still need a secretary.
- John mentioned some positive feedback he received regarding the
number of programs at the Community Center for seniors.
th
- 250celebration: Sue R. is hoping COA can help and get involved. Is
there a date that is important to the COA (for calendar countdown)?
Would like to see COA sponsor a special program i.e., senior Olympics,
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as part of the 250.
8. Liaison reports:
Minuteman Senior Services:
- Feb 27th was Older Adults Lobby Day - a gathering of 400/500 delegates
from different regions, advocating for critical support to help older
adults and people with disabilities healthy lives in the community. A
delegation comprising Minuteman staff and Board directors was there.
- The Executive Director advised directors to email the legislatures to
support: Increasing SHINE $3M; Increase Elder Mental Health By $2M;
Increase the Senior Nutrition Program by $3M; and Expand the Elder
Supportive Housing Program by additional 20 sites increase by $3.8M.
- Senior Nutrition Month Celebrations - goal to raise awareness and
funding for home delivered meals and senior dining programs across the
country by highlighting the positive impacts.
Transportation:
- TAC has drafted a resolution similar to Arlington's, requesting the
Governor to take steps for the MBTA to be able to improve service.
- Town Meeting should vote to approve Article 41, calling for
improvements to service provided to the Lexington by MBTA.
- Bus services remain reduced since Covid – still not restored.
- Lexington is committed to amending zoning regulations to increase
number of transit-friendly residential units.
- Town relies on MBTA service as public transportation - it plays a pivotal
role in achieving sustainability goals.
FCOA:
- Another 50 copies of Lifetimes is being published.
- Last fundraising effort fell short. Need to discuss how to improve
fundraising and how to improve FCOA membership.
Lexington Housing Authority:
- Vinebrook mostly complete. Fire alarm is being updated.
- There is a board vacancy that must be filled by a tenant.
Housing Partnership:
- Article 33 concerns town land on Lowell Street and North Street – this is
land given by the state for conservation or housing. There is a newly
funded trust proposed to Select Board to build affordable units. SB put
33 to a vote - it passed unanimously. This will be a well- discussed issue
for Town Meeting.
- MBTA zoning – Planning Board has been invited to explain it in detail
now that it has been passed.
Mental Health and Wellness Task Force:
- Sharon, Jyotsna, and Ellen are trying to re-boot the task force since
Covid.
- Need a part-time clinician for crisis intervention. Dana and Sharon are
going to reach out to see if there is still 10 hours for this.
- Need more funding for website for 2024. Michelle still has some funding
left. Sharon is using it for the website.
Lexington Center Committee:
th
- Discussed opening Belfry Acres by Clarke. 250 monument will be built
there. Artist has been chosen.
- There is a lot of concern regarding Center vacancies. There are a few
small businesses opening.
- There are Town Meeting articles regarding signage zoning.
- There is interest in paving lot behind CVS. DPW does attend the
meetings.
- Alcoholic beverages regulations – there is interest in loosening up these
rules.
Adjourn - next meeting – April 3, 2024.
Respectfully submitted by Julie Shapiro