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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-11-05-HSC-min.pdf 4 HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE Minutes of the Meeting of November 5, 1984 Present Roberta Black, Marion Shepp, Ed Foley, Stan Finkelstein, Judy Zabin, Leonora Zola, Sheila Martin, C.C. Chao, David Budding, Bea Phear Guests Paul Marshall, Jim McLaughlin MR Housing Paul Marshall reported that last week neighbors of the Hill Street site for potential MR housing came before the Selectmen to protest the duplex concept and the high density use as it is inconsistent with the neighborhood character, violates the spirit of the zoning by-law, and will lower property values The Town Meeting Members Association is concerned that the transmitting of the site to the Housing Authority was for low income family housing, and that use is now being avoided. Paul asks the Human Services Committee to be prepared to discuss the magnitude of the need for this type of housing, and an opinion as to whether this is the best place to take a stand. Town Meeting will have two warrant articles on November 26 on this subject 1. Vote to rescind last year's transfer to the LHA (not yet finalized) 2 Vote to authorize the Selectmen to transfer the site for ( whatever purpose the LHA wants There are other complicated issues before this Town Meeting, and the Selectmen are not eager to unnecessarily make an issue where it is not warranted. Another possibility is to compromise on some sort of goahead subject to approval at Spring Town Meeting There was discussion about the "second' MR house, in relationship to the number of Class and non-class clients served. Jim McLaughlin said the Tewksberry site origionally considered for a second MR duplex is not appropriate and the LHA decided to put mobility impaired people there He said the LHA is now negotiating for buying the Forest Street residence and expanding from four to six clients, which will be the second house He also felt that if one site is accepted, then another become easier later, although community opposition can always be expected. Jim said the LHA will press for the Hill Street site at Town Meeting as proposed. The committee felt that it was imperative to speak to the need for MR housing, to express to the town that state funding is available, that Lexington has an obligation to address its share, that we support the concept and see the need, therefore support the LHA' s application, but that the committee has no expertise in site planning and cannot address the appropriateness of Hill St Bea was asked to gather and summarize information for a presentation by Roberta on November 16 Selectmen's meeting (enclosed Draft) L Minutes The minutes of the meeting of October 15 were approved as mailed. Roberta informed the Committee that David Budding and Sheila Martin traded subcommittees David is now on special needs, and Sheila is on adolescents and fmailies FY86 Budget Committee Responsibility We received requests as follows Mystic Valley Mental Health - to support Lexington Clinic $15,000 Leonora & Stan CMARC - general program support 5,500 Marion & David Replace - program support, some expansion 62,861 Ed & Sheila Cooperative Elder Services - scholarships 3,000 Judy & C.C. Hospice Care, Inc. - Overnight Hospice Care 2,500 Leonora & Stan Hospice Care, Inc. - Knowing Death Children's Support 2,300 " The Council on Aging will vote on its request at the November 13 meeting; the current draft calls for an expense request of $37,450 Bea plans to recommend an significant staff increase, and will present the numbers and rationale to Judy and C.C. as soon as she writes it. Bea has not yet calcualted the Veterans budget request, but she anticipates no change, except for minor increase in office expenses Bob Hutchinson's message to staff was to continue services and stay within 5% incre ase Bea also distributed suggestions from Jim Lambie for frail elderly services (recently awarded funding by the Department of Elder Affairs) Evening transportation for retarded people for recreation was suggested as a need by Sheri McCann. Roberta requested written reports from the subcommittees on their visits to the agencies about their findings and questions The FY86 budget will be discussed at the next two meetings Community Health At Mrs. Battin' s request, members of the committee (Stan, Leonora, & Roberta) met with Bill Page, Jack Gardner and Dorothy Boggia to discuss the functions of the former Community Health Committee Jim Lambie from the Board of Health was unable to attend, but will be briefed by Stan and Leonora. Most of the evening was spent at the Selectmen' s meeting, and Bill Page's request, to hear the discussion of strategic planning Police { Roberta, Ed and Bea met with the Chief The Police are improving relations with RePlace, and are interested in crisis issues They see the current crisis vendor as more responsive The main police concern is with drunken driving, and adolescent alcohol use There was discussion about police officer training in regards to youth, but C.C. also raised the issue of training" the youth to understand the police, since parental support is sometimes lacking Leonora thought alcohol is a health hazard for all ages, not just youth. Bobby suggested keeping this in mind as an agenda issue for the future, instead of the Provider Council, for addressing on a community level Next Meetings November 19 budget discussion (Bea will cancel Alan November) December 3 December 10 (may be cancelled if not needed) December 17 Respectfully submitted, Beatrice Phear {