HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-11-03-HSC-min.pdf 11-3-SO
Human Services Committee
Present Ruth Butler, Howard Levingston, Steve Baran, Ruth Nablo
also Elizabeth Pressman
Absent Carol Perez, Nicky Osborne, John Mackey
The meeting was called to order at 7 30 P M. The minutes of 10-27-80 were
accepted as written
Elizabeth Pressman presented a chronology of events related to the FY '81
funding of MVMHC Discussion followed It was suggested that it is now so close to the
budget review period for FY '82 that it would be pointless to pursue questions at this
time The issue of whether or not it is appropriate to ask questions since the Select-
men decided to level-fund the agency was discussed Three points needing clarification
were
1) Was the word "escrow' used by Selectman Jim Crain at Town Meeting in
presenting the MVMHC request? If so, what was meant by it?
2) Did the Selectmen not forward questions last spring, after Ms Pressman 's
memo of April because there was a misunderstanding about who should send
the questions Selectmen or H S Committee?
3) Lines of communication between the Selectmen and the committee need to be j!
spelled out in writing
Ruth Butler suggested that, when the Selectmen send the evaluation criteria
to MVMHC, they include a note indicating the questions raised last spring by the H S
Committee The committee would like to see some direct communication between the Board
of Selectmen and the agency If the Board does not wish this would it be appropriate
for a H S coordinator to have such a function? for the H S committee? After some
discussion, the topic was tabled for continuation next week when Selectman Crain comes
to the meeting
Ruth Butler indicated some feeling that free discussion is somewhat constrained
in the presence of newspaper reporters There was agreement on this, but also on the 'll
understanding of the open meeting law
Ms Pressman told the committee that enough Heller School students had not
chosen Lexington for the lab to take place
Some discussion of what would go on at the "brainstorming" session followed
Each committee member will be able to talk about the direction they would like to see the
committee take
Jackie Ward of the Community Health Committee stated that she felt Town M o ,.inb% 1
members were under the impression, created by Jim Crain's presentation, that MVMHC^el
ah
more accountable
Jack Gardner of the Community Health Committee will attend the next HS meeting
Human Services Committee 11-3-80
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Some discussion of preliminary results of the Elderly Needs Assessment
took place Committee members were pleased with the response Ruth Nablo will ask
Bea Phear to cross-tab the 60-64 age group with employment status The question of
whether LEXPRESS ridership is 10% elderly, or do 10% of the elderly ride LEXPRESS
was raised
Ruth Nablo announced that the League of Women Voters is sponsoring a meeting
on housing Wednesday, November 12 at Clarke Junior High at 8 00 P.M
The meeting adjourned at 9 15 P M.
Respectfully submitted,
e&L4 2/ / -
Elizabeth H Pressman