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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-07-01-HSC-min.pdf Minutes Human Services Committee 7/ 1 92 Present Renee Cochin and Ann Irving, Lo-Chairmen Dennis Murakami Rick Safford Steve Baran Human Services Luordinator ( recorder ) Absent Eva Glick Donna Hooper Minutes The Minutes of 5/6/92 and 6/3/92 were reviewed and approved Coordinator' s Report Steve reported a 1 1 /2 hour WBZ-TV forum on "Domestic Violence A Call for Help" effective as an unusual fundraiser and in revealing the frequency with which women are battered ( see attached Boston Globe editorial ) attendance with Renee at a planning meeting of a new neighborhood group on Bloomfield Street with the theme of "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" ; Renee commented on their enthusiasm, warmth and spontaneity they are seeking a focus for their desire to help others ( see attached announcement ) ; RePlace loss of two staff this will have an impact on their service planning and highlights need for renegotiation of their budget with the Human Services Committee ( see attached Table of Organization showing changes ) as of 6/30/92 the Human Services Emergency Fund direct aid balance was $2 832 and the endowment balance was $4 143 Eva Havas, Candidate for a position on the Human Services Committee Eva Havas candidate for Human Services Committee said that she had moved to Lexington four years ago, had been active in the schools PAC, PTO , search committee for new superintendent She characterized Lexington as a place where on the face of things one would think there are no problems, but there are problems She had noted particularly a lack of tolerance among school children Eva commented further that she was interested in the problem of battered women and was struck by the number of women and children from Lexington reported by the battered women' s shelter in Waltham in the past year--512 Also, we tend to think there are no poor people, and yet the Food Pantry is well utilized Human Services committee 7 / 1 /92 Page _ it was interesting that some stucents maintained dur ng the _ondom controversy that they didn' t know where RePlace was Why should the schools be giving out condoms when RePlace uuuld be performing this function s for impacting social policy, why is it that teachers can bring uut U 000 - 30 000 people to a demonstration un Euston Common while social wurkers do not ? Co-Chairmen Report Renee reported Norm Cohen has advised that it is not legal to raise funds for the Human Services Emergency Fund by including solicitations with tax bills Renee had the impression that this was acceptable to the Selectmen A meeting with David Gil of Brandeis un analysis ur U S Census data has been scheduled The Committee should plan for the coming year ( Although the Town' s financial position is not likely to improve the Committee might look at possibilities for a change in services and review various needs areas e g mental health, developmental disabilities women and children--meeting time for this possibly early in September A meeting has been scheduled with the Council on Aging and Friends of the Council on Aging to discuss modes of operation for people over 60 and a possible contribution from the Friends We are particularly interested in why so few elderly persons with emergency needs have come forward Special Needs Housing Rick reported that investigations were proceeding with the assistance of Bob Cushman to match an appropriate financial package for housing together to a group of people in need (mental illness) Question was raised as to what was happening with planning for the Met State property