HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-06-28-HSC-min.pdf HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Minutes of the Meeting of June 28, 1982
Present Steve Baran, Roberta Black, Judy Zabin, Howard Reynolds, Nancy Zarle
Stan Finkelsteen, Bea Phear guest David Enman
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of June 9 were approved as mailed
Coordinator's Report
Bea reported that
1 There have been 11 inquiries about the chair car service and 6 registrants so
far The service will start on July 1
2 The contracts with RePlace, Minuteman Home Care, and CMARC were distributed
as signed by the Town Manager Stan is working on a contract with Mystic Valley
3 Federal surplus cheese will be distributed in Lexington on July 6 Bea is
coordinating this using volunteers from the Lions for transportation
Providers Council Questionnaire
Bea distributed a draft letter and questionnaire The committee felt it important
to emphasize more that the questionnaire would be photocopied as they responded
and distributed There was discussion on the format, and Stan will meet with
Bea on July 6 at 4 00 pm to work on it, both for content and layout.
Muzzey Conversion
The rezoning for Muzzey failed Town Meeting, and a substitute motion on the
conveyance passed, which authorized the Selectmen to form a new committee that
would only accept non-commercial uses It was decided that Howard would be the
committee's liaison to the Muzzey conversion process, and would volunteer to work
on the charge and/or the conversion committee Steve will write Al Busa It
was felt that if the committee wanted to be involved, they would have to not wait
for invitation.
Handicap Affairs
David Enman came as a guest to the committee to request that a subcommittee on
handicapped affairs be created He said there is a handicapped population in town
that is hidden and in the closet His goals are to help make them part of society
He feels that transportation is the biggest problem, but would like to work with
others to do a needs assessment, examine accessibility of buildings throughout the
town, and explore complience with section 504, the handicap civil rights legislation
A sub-committee could do this background thinking, get their ideas down, and
set some priorities
He pointed out that the committee's charge was to identify gaps and educate citizens,
both of which need to be done for handicapped people
Stan asked if he had considered a committee that was not involved with town government
because he was concerned about the committee taking a stand against a restaurant, for
example, in an accessibility study Judy and Howard didn't see it coming to that and
thought it appropriate as an issue for the committee
Stan asked if David knew another town that had such a committee, and David said there
were several Cambridge, Springfield, and Brrokline came to mind He felt that we
definitely need something to follow, and there are guidelines available
Judy asked for clarification about whether he wanted sanction from us or wanted
to join us David felt better to be part of town government, but he wasn't sure
of the best structure Steve pointed out that we had had a request 18 months ago
for a health sub-committee, which was turned down due to other distractions, but that
a sub-committee with outside members wasn't impossible
Stan felt that handicapped affairs was certainly an area of interest, but was
concerned with the possible activist approach and advocacy need The first step
is a needs assessment, but what after that? Is the committee ready for a new approach
Judy felt that since we have such a wide open charge, maybe its right to have a
variety of approaches and ask a citizens group to do a needs assessment for us, but
not necessarily in the usual sub-committee structure that we've had before
Howard said he could see David's group acting with a liaison from our committee,
and the Human Services committee drawing up an initial charge, but break off if
we feel it is too activist Perhaps an ex-officio committee .�
It was decided to ask David to write up a one page proposal of what he wanted to
accomplish, and the committee would discuss the structural issues at the next
meeting
Nancy pointed out that this is an impetus to look at the whole committee structure
David has some real concerns, and that's part of our role to be liaison with him,
as people who have feelers into the larger structure and can act as a support system.
Mystic Valley
The Board of Appeals granted the Special Pezmit for extended operating hours for
Mystic Valley after hearing that the neighbors and the agency and worked together
for a compromise The hours will be the same as this year 8 30 am - 9 00 pm, plus
two Tuesdays until 11 00 pm for Board Meetings
Stan reported that the 90probationary period for Don Lund is over, and the evaluation
is now written, but Don hasn't seen it yet. His probation continues Stan will
ask Jim Crain to request from Ken Donnelly that Stan and/or Tom be allowed to
attend the executive sessions of the agency
Agenda for next Meeting July 12
Sub-Committee structure
Plan of action for year (schedule)
Review David Enman's proposal
Intern possibility
Muzzey update
Respectfully Submitted,
Beatrice Phear
NOTE I learned today that the Selectmen will discuss Muzzey on July 12th and
invite the Human Services Committee 7 45 pm
Bea