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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-02-25-HSC-min.pdf HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE Minutes of the Meeting of February 25, 1985 Present Roberta Black, Stan Finkelstein, Marion Shepp, Sheila Martin, Ed Foley, Leonora Zola, C.C. Chao, Bea Phear Minutes The minutes of the meeting of February 11 were approved as mailed. Appropriation Committee Stan, Roberta, and Bea attended the Appropriation Committee meeting on February 19 It was felt that it was a more thoughtful and smooth meeting than the previous year There appeared to be no opposition to the Human Services Committee budget recommendations The Appropriation Committee raised the issue of foundation and corporate gifts to Lexington agencies, and the related question about a Lexington clearinghouse or fund. Roberta discussed Newton's "Foundation" which acts in that capacity and can also "sell" its products, such as computer programs There was discussion about the possible gradations of overtures to corporations 1. create a list of local corporations and give it to agencies 2 respond to corporate inquiries for evaluations of agencies 3. notify them of our willingness to offer assistance in judging requests they may receive regarding local need 4. convene a meeting with them around local need 5 forward specific requests e g Visiting Nurse frail elderly program Leonora pointed out that there may be other needs than just in human services, such as ball field lighting C.C. warned that the Town should not make a request, as it may then be turned around with a corporation asking for reciprocal favors Stan suggested we do not know the dime sions of the potential - is it just Raytheon and Honeywell? Marion thought the Char might also be interested, or other corporations The commitee will think about this further Bea will talk informally with Joan Duff, at Honeywell, with whom she sits on a committee, and perhaps Walter Palmer at Raytheon through Michael O'Sullivan of the Appropriation Committee Visiting Nurse & Community Health They are requesting assistance in raising $5,600 to carry their program of a health monitor from July 1 - Dec. 31, after which they hope for Title III Committee members raised several questions 1. Where else are they looking for money? 2 Why did they not apply to Town in October, during regular cycle? 3 How likely is the Title III funding? 4. Would we want to adjust procedures for Town money, even if it a worthwhile need? It was felt that this is an area for both Health and Elderly concerns, and Leonora volunteered to examine it further with Judy, if she is able, and Bea. They will report at the next meeting Transportation Sheila had been unable to reach the students to discuss prom ideas with them. It was mentioned that RePlace might want to coordinate prom transportation with their volunteer parents, but later decided that it might be interpreted that we want them to expand activities but won't give them expanded staff funding Sheila will make further attempts to talk with the Prom organizers and perhaps student council members Committee Vacancy Roberta reported that Paul Marshall will not advertize for committee members, but invites the committee to do so Bea will write a letter to the editor, to come from Roberta, for the newspaper Committee members will think about others to recommend. Classification Roberta reported that Paul Marshall has said there is no progress on the request to classify the four human services positions Bea said the Manager had told her he was asking for technical assistance from the Massachusetts Municipal Association on � classification in general, but Bea does not know the time frame RePlace Ed reported that Bill Blout will be glad to come to a meeting, but he has a scheduling conflict Mondays before 9 00 p.m. It was decided to hold off, since our meetings will need to be rescheduled around Town Meeting demands Social Committee There was further discussion about having a dinner party for agencies, committees, churches, and perhaps corporate donors It was felt that there needed to be the focus of a speaker or panel, but that the social contacts were the most important part. Ideas of subjects included. elderly, child abuse, deinstitutionalization & homelessness, the boundry for public and private social responsibility in a time of limited resources, and level of responsibility for funding of human services - federal, state, local, corporate,provider, and family The commitee wanted to explore some balance of the two final ideas and think of lively panelists for a debate Members were assigned to explore costs and site availability Liaison The Selectmen will possibly designate a new liaison after the election Next Meeting Next meeting is March 11 at 7 30 p m. , room 111 Respectfully submitted, Beatrice Phear