Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-10-05-HSC-min.pdf Minutes Human Services Committee ( 10/25/00 Present: Barbara Ciampa, Co-Chair Macy DeLong; Robert Dentler Roz Gittleman; Steve Kelly' Christine Yedica; Steve Baran, Human Services Coordinator Absent: Helen Gravis; Christine Yedica Guest: Florence Baturin Minutes of 9/27 accepted with the following exceptions: The Universalist Unitarian Church portrayed a traveling photo exhibition of diverse families. Rather than one-fifth of the world's population being mentally ill, the figure was cited of a fourth of the U.S. population being mentally ill. Selectmen's meeting:There was a climate of intimidation at a recent meeting of the Selectmen. Should either the Selectmen or those attending necessarily endure this? Liaison to affordable housing activities: Macy DeLong agreed to serve as the committee's liaison to affordable housing. Report on visit to the Central Middlesex Association for Retarded Citizens: Roz Gittleman reported on new functional criteria having been developed. CMARC had moved, and the new physical plant was impressive allowing for groups or teams to work together The assistant director was "vibrant' in her presentation. Affordable housing conference: Florence Baturin, organizer for a regional (Lexington, Bedford, Lincoln and Concord) affordable housing conference planned for March asked and received the committee's endorsement. Macy DeLong will join the planning group. No Place for Hate: Cathy Abbott, Bob Dentler and Steve Baran noted activities at the Town and Council on Aging level.At the COA, oral histories will be elicited. 'Do we rigidify as we age or do we transcend the bigotries we grew up with at the breakfast table?' —Bob Dentler. Early Childhood—Barbara Ciampa and Steve Baran reported that the School Department is planning to move to full-day kindergarten. Significance of the Human Services Committee: Barbara Ciampa expressed concern that the Selectmen seemed lacking in interest when the committee recently made its annual report. She also noted that the new Social Services Department director had declined to regularly meet with the committee nor was there representation from the committee in her hiring process. Barbara also wondered why there was a separate Fair Housing and Human Relations Committee. Should the two committees become one? Bob Dentler suggested that the committee agree on a single issue in which the Selectmen would be stakeholders. It was agreed to place these items on the agenda for the next meeting for discussion with Cathy Abbott. The charge for the Fair Housing and Human Relations Committee would be distributed.