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Council on Agrftg Minutes of the Council on Aging
Box 636 Meeting o Tuesday, March 10, 1981
Lexington, Mass . 02173
Present Ch Rooney, V Ch . R. Weinstein, G. Harris, W. Sen,
L. Tropeano.
Staff: J. Melcher, S. Morehouse
Observers G. Colwell
M. Williamson, INDEPEND&NT reporter
G Scanlon
Absent J Clark, S Clark, Rubin, Luckmann, Goodwin
Benway, vol . Treasurer
McDonald, Ch Friends of CoA
At meeting time (5:00 pm) no quorum was present. An unofficial
meeting was begun
There was no reading of Minutes of February 10
There was no reading of Treasurer' s Report
Coordinator' s report Council on Aging has requested that a sign
identifying the location of the CoA be placed in a prominant position
in front of the Church. There is a need for improved visibility. Church
approval is needed first and then it must become before the Town.
The CoA will be sponsoring a float for the April Parade. We are
still trying to locate an amplication system. A flat bed truck has been
located at a cost of 05. Hal Melchor will be the driver. The Friends
of the CoA will pay the costs. The Young in Heart Singers will be
featured on the float Still needed are identifying signs and decorations
for the truck. Tropeano wondered what the theme for 19d1 is and whether
the CoA would compete for a prize
A workshop on Needs of the Elderly is scheduled for April 14tb
from 1 30-4.00 pm Jack Gardner, William Page, and Stephen Baran are
organizing the afternoon. The CoA has offered the use of its rooms
for the meeting and the seminars . AARP was approached about funding
the cost of busing citizens to the workshop AARP agreed in principle
but didn' t want to undertake that expense unless they could be assured
that the bus would be full L. Tropeano, President of the Senior
Citizens' Club will be approached to see if that organization will aid
in the busing cost The CoA's contribution to the workshop iS
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( 2) Minutes of the Council on Aging
( cont)
March 10, 1981
( the use of the CoA rooms and Coordinator Melcher as a speaker. Board
member Sen is unable to commit himself to the numerous planning sessions
for the workshop and has had to resign. Eileen O'Leary, a Lexington
senior, has been appointed to attend the workshop planning sessions, and
she will report back to Melcher
Arlington has announced that they have the backing of the Town of
Arlington to seek $400,000 for a new Senior Center
Scott Plumb, Lexington resident and Coordinator of the Arlington
Council on Aging, was hit by an automobile He suffered injuries which
necessitate his wearing a neck collar.
Board reports: A. Green spoke about the possible deletion of the CoA
budget line item of $2240 which the Town gives to MMHCC each year If
that figure is deleted Lexington will lose all its services under Title III
and Title XX. Our outreach worker's salary is plaid by MMHCC also
Weinstein hopes that the budget proposal can be reviewed, make necessary
revisions, and get facts collated to make a presentation at the Town
Meeting It is necessary that the CoA obtain an updated statement from
MMHCC in order to arm themselves with data substantiating the amount
of services which MMHCC gives to the Lexington Citizens. Goodwin,
Rooney, and Melcher will meet with the Town Manager to discuss the
budget line item.
In discussing the subject of the nutrition site Weinstein noted
that as of now there has been no commodity reimbursement of 351 per meal
but he is sure that that will happen At this time the workload of the
CoA staff is such that added days for the nutrition site would not be
handled by the staff. It is possible that a MMHCC aide could be procured,
for two days At present the volunteer system is keeping the program
moving. It is possible that the Rev. Mr Petterson would renegotiate
the rental costs if the number of days expanded Rooney commended
the research done by Weinstein re the entire nutrition program. ( see
attached sheets as handed out by Weinstein at the meeting. ) Rooney
expressed concern and caution in asking for an increased budget in view
of the constraints under which the Town is working
MOTION It was moved, seconded, and voted to initiate a second nutrition
day for the months of May and June The provisions are
1 The present staff will handle the work load
2 The supposition that $364 will be a balance in the present program
3 An additional sum of 8275 can be found to make up the needed difference.
(n b Because there was no quorum present at the time of the vote it was
necessary to vote in Gail Colwell as a member to secure a quorum )
MOTION. Moved and seconded to ask the Town for $12,500 in order to
allow a five-day nutrition program.
The motion was defeated by a vote of 3 to 2 There were
l 2 abstensions
Sen spoke about his having attended a preliminary meeting of the
Elderly Workshop planning session He also stated that he would be
unable to continue as a member of that committee due to time constraints,,
a
(3) Minutes of the Council on Aging (cont)
March 10, 1981
Harris spoke about the exploratiry tour which be, S. Clark, J. Clark,
Melchor, and two architects had through Muzzey School It is felt that
there are definite possibilities as to its use as a senior center
Further investigation and study is necessary if the plan is to give it
to a developer as a turn-key operation. Procedurally the Town Meeting
must vote to see if the Selectmen will take title to the Muzzey School
from the School Committee
Concern was again voiced that the CoA needs a strong advocacy
group. The Arlington Advocates were cited as a role model Persons
from the CoA should be on the Sites Committee to support its aims
Gladys Scanlon, Silver-hair Legislator, told of legislative
meetings she has attended in Worcester and at the State House
Mary McDonald, Chairman of the Friends of the CoA, has had to
resign her post but will continue to handle the financial aspects
of the Friends. New blood and new goals must be formulated for the
Friends of the CoA.
The meeting was adjourned ay 6 05 pm.
The next meeting of the Council on Aging is April 1L., 1981
Sied /J
Comac'
Elise V. Morehouse
Assist Coord , CoA