HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-02-22-HSC-min.pdf Human Services Committee
Minutes of the Meeting of February 22 1982
ry
Present Steve Baran, Roberta Black, Howard Reynolds, Stan Finkelstein, Ilene
White, Nancy Zarle, Tom Zarle, Judy Zabin7 also Bea Phear
The Meeting was called to order at 7 30 pm
The minutes were approved as ammended Add.
Under COA section. Steve introduced a letter from Silvio Conte regarding senior
aides Mr Conte gives the impression that they will be refunded
Under Handicap Van Stan had suggested the committee contain ex-officio members
as the Chairman of the Huamn Services Committee and the Chairman of Transportation
Review Process
Bea read a note from Ruth Nablo There was discussion regarding the purpose of this
process statement. does it describe all funding procedures, or only those that the
Human services Committee has direct control over? The review process was tabled,
as the Committee wanted to have Ruth present
Decided. to add to step one alerting the general public as well as Town funded
agencies
General Revenue Sharina
There will be a public hearing by the Selectmen on General Revenue Sharing on
March 15 Steve will represent the Committee Bea will get more information for
the next meeting
Handicapped Van
Bea reported on the meeting of the ad hoc committee The Human Services Committee
raised several points
Who defines mental impairment in terms of mobility impaired? Does the ad hoc
committee have a representative for them?
Will companions be allowed on the vans as well? e g to push wheel chair friends
in the Mall?
What is the expected life of the ad hoc committee? Perhaps it should continue as
a needs assessment arm, representing the handicapped, in addition to assessing this
particular program. Bea will talk to them about this
Mystic Valley Hours
Bea read a letter from Francis Donnelly requesting support from the committee for
Mystic Valley's renewal and expansion of its special permit They want to stay open
until 10 30 on Tuesdays for Board meetings and 9 00-5 00 Saturddys for community
workshops and Board committees
There was discussion of the appropriateness of the Committee addressing this at all,
as well as questions about the request itself Stan wanted an opportuanity to talk
2/22/82 p2
to neighbors Howard suggested addressing the clinical issues but not the zoning
issues as a possible route Tom mentioned asking the Selectmen's Liaison for direction
on whether the committee should address the special permit request at all He doesn't
know how a human service agency can provide services if they are not allowed to be
open on Saturdays Stan said that if we agree a board plays an important role in an
agency, it would be reasonable for us to address that as well
Decided Bea will write to say the subcommittee is considering the request
Safehouse
r,
Stan and Tom reported on their research to date They met with Don Lund and two
Board members last week and have another meeting scheduled for March 3, room 111
at 7 30 pm Mystic Valley felt that the newspaper article was accurate Stan and
Tom believe this could blow up in Town Meeting, and they want to spend more time
before giving a report to the Manager and Board Don said the staff had made a
mistake to try to sheild the children from the police, but that in a open setting,
you can't monitor all the time The operational issue is whether they are accepting
kids using the right criteria for admission The staff will be told to be more
conservative with the police in the future, and be more cooperative
Mystic Valley also told them Safehouse will move out of Lexington as soon as they
locate an alternate site The reasons revolve around problems with the landlord and
the strong neighborhood sentiment against concentration of mental health facilities
Judy expressed concern that Lexington couldn't handle an adolescent residence, wondered !'
if their move represented a loss to the Town
There was discussion about how this would affect Town Meeting It is the sense of the
committee that the request should not be revised, but that it is the Selectmen's job
to convey to Town Meeting that the service is still available to Lexington and they
believe it should be funded This is an appropriate issue on which to make an interim
report to the Selectmen
In addition to Safehouse, they discussed a long-term agenda for looking at Mystic '-
Valleys operation This includes
1 Finances
2 Organizational structure
3 Scope of services
4 External relations and networks
5 The State system
6 Preventive nature of programs
7 Site visits
The goal is to understand the needs and how Mystic Valley fits in to the total system
Mystic Valley would welcome an opportunity to get more information about their
environment and meet with other providers
Decided Send an interim report to the Selectmen prior to the beginning of Town Meeting,.
Consider planning for regular meetings among providers in the future
Council on Aging
Ilene and Nancy had lunch at the CoA and met with Joan Melcher and Lee Morehouse The
CoA is very pleased with their relationship with Mystic Valley and has had good luck
2/22/82 p3
with the crisis intervention team Howeve/, it tura out they had no contact for about
a year
The Elder Chorus issue was clarified Marion Fitzpatrick is the 'Director' , a
volunteer position that functions as coordinator There is a Musical Director who
is the one that is paid, who plays the piano and decides' on music, purchases scores,
and functions as more than just a pianist
They had some discussion about the relationship with the Senior Citizens Club The
subcommittee will meet with the Club as well There seems to be a sense of persecution
and non-communication on both sides, which will be explored Funding of the club trips
is an issue that needs to be considered on a general prioritizing of recommendations
for next year
In general the meeting with CoA was very positive
1
RePlace
Roberta introduced a letter to the School Committee that she had drafted regarding
RePlace's request for funding from the schools It was slightly revised by the Committee
and will be sent over Steve's signature (enclosed) RePlace is meeting with the
School Committee next week Judy and Roberta will also attend
Replace is planning to handle the budget shortage in part by using money that was
contributed for construction to handle payroll They are having a very hard time with
their cash flow This effort with the schools in one step towards looking for more
They reported that the new addition of space looks very good, and has a different
atmosphere being more conservative and suitable for parents
Next Meeting
Brainstorming Tom will lead To be included, are discussion of interim report to
Selectmen or planning for a meeting with the Selectmen's liaison and a discussion
of convening providers meetings in the spring
Respectfully Submitted,
Beatrice Phear