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HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Minutes of the Meeting of January 3 1983
Present Jim Crain, Judy Zabin Howard Reynolds Tom Zarle, Nancy Zarle, Roberta
Black, Ilene White, Steve Baran, Stan Finkelstein; Renee Hatten, Bea Phear
David Enman
Budget Discussion with Jim Crain
Jim outlines the backdrop against which budgets are being considered. As was forcast,
Proposition 21 is now beginning to have an impact There are alternatives being
considered, such as going through Town Meeting for an exemption A state windfall is unlikely
Steve mentioned the innitiative that had been supported by Jim regarding looking at
agencies other than those that had been traditionally funded, which might need one-time
funding, and asked how the Committee might procede in terms of using Charitable Trusts
He felt that this approach was qualitatively different, in that it would focus on the
one-time, innovative approaches
Jim said the Committee should prioritize, and look at the total system, and not assume
across the board cuts The Selectmen have used the Trusts in the past, and the Committee
ought to mention anything they think needs funding If the Selectmen feel its not
the year to put it in the budget, then they might suggest. the Trusts as a fall-back
position
The Selectmen will be considering human services budgets on January 12, and a report
from the Committee would be best on that date but if there were a reason for delay,
that could be rescheduled
Steve mentioned that the Conmh ttee also wants to look at the Coordinator's salary Jim
felt it was fine to discuss that. Bea mentioned article 5, explaining that the Manager
level funded all salaries, pending negotiations Jim said the Selectmen would also be
lokking at Article 5
Wild Acre Inn
Jim said the Selectmen were confused about the Inn's relicensing question on two counts
1 The number of facilities is questioned - one or several
2 Is the lodging house license the correct one, as it seems to be a referral place
for McLean Hospital?
Bea reported her conversation with the Deputy Commissioner of DMH, Anne Umana, who
said DMH no longer contracts with them. She volunteered that they might assist the
Committee in its review Bea also reported that the Police Department has no other
issues in its records
There was discussion about how the Committee would procede It was decided that Stan, Nancy
and Roberta would find out what they were providing and who their referrals were
Nancy has ridden on the bus with residents and gotten the impression they were not a
typical lodgng house
Charitable Trusts
Steve was concerned that the Committee did not have enough input from outside agencies
to make a recommendation on them by Jan 12, as Jim had requested Stan asked if there
was a reason for suggesting these agenices be funded specifically from the Trusts
Steve had felt that there was a goal of setting a precedent for this kind of one-time
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funding The Commitee thought Jim had not understood that point Judy suggested
being open in the report, and pointing that goal out
Enablement
Dave Enman explained that he had been planning to speak to the Selectmen to request
approval for the Enablement Committee's project to do an Access Study; however he had
been ill on the appointed evening He wanted to inform the Committee of their plans
which are to use high school students and Boy Scouts to do the research, under the
supervision of the Enablement Committee and teachers Alan November and Debby Packard
The teachers are not allowed to go ahead with such a project without Selectmen approval
The Human Services Commitee endorsed the concept of the project, and will write a
letter to the Selectmen, to accompany Dave's written request, emphasizing the partnership
goal Dave thinks they will not need any funding, as printing costs may be contributed
They plan to study all buildings open to the public, and will use their next meeting to
discuss training and supervision of the students and the selection of buildings
Mystic Valley Mental Health
Stan reported on the meeting with Frank Donnelly Stan had anticipated that MVMH would
withdraw their request, but they now say they need some funding for its symbolic
value in fundraising from other towns There was discussion about giving a token
amount as support of a needed service, with the invitation to come back another year
when they have "their act together' Some committee members felt that the money
might be better used elsewhere A motion to recommend funding of $1,000 was defeated
It will be recommended that there be no funding for MVMH
Stan will write a letter to Donnelly, pointing out both the issue of tight financial
constraints and concerns about management The message the committee wants to give
is that we are not withdrawing support of them as an agency but during this period
of transition, it is in the best interest of all to withdraw cash support and continue
the support of consultation of Stan and others to help them develop long term stability
Stan said the search committee process is going slowly, and is a worthwhile exercise
They have over 150 applicants, about 50% of whom are qualified on paper
Council on Aging
The subcommittee endorses the request of the CoA for a 5% increase This was also in
the Manager's budget, and in Bea's recommendations to the Manager
RePlace
Roberta reported on the PPPP (Donated Funds renamed) She senses that Replace is not
pursuing this very aggressively, as he says he has trouble getting through to DSS Judy
and Roberta feel this is tied to Bill's concern about having a Lexington based program,
however Roberta thinks he should at least learn what the constraints might be
Stan also thought this might be part of Bill's general reluctance as an administrator
as well as the Board's interest in localism. Bea thinks that they are partially
performing a state function, which DSS funds in other areas, and it is a responsibility
to taxpayers to have the state fund its obligations in Lexington as well She also
felt that if RePlace was reqesting additional staff and expanded programs, there was
an inconsitency in the 'keep small" philosophy
It was decided to table the discussion until next meeting Meanwhile Roberta and Judy
will pursue the PPPP issue with Bill and Gerry Howell Tom suggested mentioning that
we might consider writing in a requirement for outside funding into next year's contract
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Roberta emphasized that she did not want to tell them they had to serve a larger
community The Committee was making a conscious decision that they were recommending
pursuit of State money, rather than the possible alternative of continuing total
local control
Roberta said that Bill had told her he had sent a letter to Peter Keohan, Area
Director of DSS to further their application, but she had not
pp yet received a copy
Next Meeting
The next meeting was scheduled for Monday January 10 at 7 30 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Beatrice Phear
Human Services Coordinator