HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-05-25-COA-min.pdf Lexington Council on Aging
Meeting, June 8, 1976
Visitors ' center, second-floor Meeting Room
MINUTES
Present CoA ; A.Paranya , M Ritter, J Stumpp, D.Williams
Guests J Gardner, K Stuart (FISH) , E Dratch (Trans Advisory Com, )
Observer B Weiss (LWV)
1 Ch Stumpp called the meeting to order at 7 45 P.M. Minutes for
the May 25th meeting were accepted as distributed. The Treasurer
reported expenditures to date of $1 ,025 64, with a balance of
$3,974 36 from the original $5,000 grant The Treasurer also read
letters that were sent to the Comptroller and to Lois Gallager in
regard to the $76 donation to the CoA from the World Fellowship
Committee
2 Mr Jack Gardner reported to the Council on his research on swim-
ming possibilities for seniors in this area He found that Shaw-
sheen Regional Vocational already has a year-round program for
senior citizens one day a week For the summer, beginning June 23rd,
there will be free swimming for seniors between 2-3 P M , 5 days a
week.
The Minute-Man Regional told Mr Gardner that their present policy
is that activities using their facilities must pay for such use
They are currently planning a summer swim and tennis program open
to anyone , from June 21-Sept. 6th. Fee would be $30 plus a 25¢ fee
for each use of the pool
There is a Minute-Man Regional Advisory Board for athletics to which
Ben Bertini is the Lexington representative, At present, there is
a $16- 420 charge for use of the M_M pool, The possibility of a
regional swimming program for seniors was proposed to several Min-
ute-Man communities Concord was especially enthusiastic ; others,
with summer facilities already available, might be interested in a
winter program, Mr Gardner recommended that the CoA write to the
M-M Regional expressing interest in a swimming program
Mr Gardner was thanked for his excellent report, and was asked if
he would be willing to work on an Advisory Sub-committee on Recrea-
tion for the CoA. He agreed
3 Joan Melcher, Co-ordinator, reported the following
a) 53 calls had been received at the office since June 1st
b) A letter to Lexington merchants explaining the proposed Discount
Program was read for comment. With suggested additions , the let-
ter is ready for mailing. The letter will be sent out before vol-
unteers call on the merchants
c) 16-17 volunteers have enlisted to work on the Discount Program,
and volunteers are also helping to compile a list of Lexington
businesses
d) Copies of the second Newsletter have been delivered to all nurs-
ing homes; Joan has been asked to speak at two of them,
e) Joan has already spoken to a women's group at the Greek Church.
f) There has been interest expressed in a Friendly Visiyor Program
Joan stressed the need for preliminary training for Friendly
Visitors It was suggested that Anne Kenn, Co-ordinator of Elder-
ly Services at MVMHC should be contacted for assistance,
4. Kathy Stuart , retiring president of FISH was introduced. Mrs. Stuart
said that 90% or more of calls to FISH were from elderly people
Calls tend to be advance notice requests for doctor appointments ,
hospital visits, etc , not true emergencies Other calls are requests
for meals or shopping services.
Elaine Dratch, a member of the Town Advisory Committee on Transpor-
tation, explained some of the issues being discussed by thet com-
mittee. One proposal is to ask the META to extend the Waltham bus
route to the Burlingon Mall. Ms Dratch also mentioned that there
were State matching funds available for transportation programs for
the elderly.
There was considerable discussion about transportation needs, but
no definite conclusion could be reached. Mr Maloney of C&W Trans-
portation will be asked to attend the June 22nd meeting of the CoA
when further attention will be given to transportation.
5. Mrs Williams reported that M-M Regional can print the ID cards for
a Discount Program, but not the decals She will try to locate someone
who can do the decals
6 Qualifications for a Town Mamager were discussed and listed
a Fiscal responsibility
b. Ability to get along with citizen committees
c When new committees or boards are established, the Town Manager
should make himself conversant with the purpose and duties of
such groups in order to co-ordinate their work more smoothly with
existing town policies
7 A discussion on space requirements for permanent CoA quarters re-
sulted in the following recommendations
1 . Central location in town
2 First floor, street level
3. A minimum number of steps ; preferably none
4. An office for the co-ordinator and volunteer help, approxi-
mately 15' by 18' in size
5. A smaller conference room, to be used by tax, legal, and other
consultants, when privacy is desirable
6 A room large enough to be used for meetings, classes, drop-in
center, approximately 20' by 30' , or larger
7 Kitchen and bathroom facilities
The secretary and Mrs. Melcher are to draft a letter to the Town
Manager, listing these requirements, for Mrs. Stumpp's signature,
8 The next meeting on June 22nd will be devoted to continued dis-
cussion on transportation, with Mr Jack Maloney to be invited; and
for discussion on recreation, with Mr Dan Buss to be invited to
attend or to send a representative from the Recreation Committee.
9 The meeting adjourned at 10 15 P M.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann G Paranya, Secretary