The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1992-04-14-COA-min.pdf r ' I i_. ( COUNCIL ON AGING BOARD MEETING - APRIL 14 ,: 1992 Present ; Dorothy Boygia , Kevin Grimes , Harriet Onello, Jim Fenske , M�.t�iel Taylor , Jar.k Eddison (Select.men liaison) , Human Service Committee members Steve Baran , Renee Cochin, Donna Hooper , FCOA Board members Jackie Davison, Tim Quinlan, Ellen Balmer , Peter Kelley, and Clara Murphy , Peg Jemison and Linda Crew Vine (staff ) . Absent : Manica Chang , Beth Klarman, Ed Grant Meeting was called to prder by Chairperson, Dorothy Boggia at 4 : 40 p .m. Remarks : Dorothy announced that members ot the Human Service Committee and the Friends of the Council on Aging board members would be joining the meeting at 5 ; 00 p .m. Regarding after hours usage ot the Senior Center - some problems have occurred in regard to parking spar.e : ie . � March 27 & 28 - Literacy Council used the center � and parlced in t.he resident ' s parking lot April 7 - Historical Society used the center and the same parking problems occurred A letter of complaint from the Muzzey Trustees was read . The need to aet rules was discussed to avoid future conflicts with residents . Center rules require notifying the Lexington Police if many cars will be parked on Mass Avenue. Jim Fenske suggested the Muzzey Trustees post a sign indicating parking for residents only after 6 : 00 p .m. The COA can then incorpor. ate a rule that users must park on Mass Avenue and the COA will inform the Lexington Police . Minutes were read and the following comments were made: Typing co�rections noted : � Pg . 3 , i.tem 2 . "fiends" for "friends" Pg . 2 , item 4 , "incorporated" should be "incorporate" �_.:: • I��. � Dorothy suggested the minutes include absent members . NOTED - 3 absences lead to dismissal of a board member ' Donna Hooper (Human Service Committee liaison) was omitted from list o£ present in March minutes . Minutes were accepted as corr�cted . Treasurer ' s Report - Jim Fenske 1 . Meals On Wheels Report - The FCOA transferred 52 , 703 into the account in March leaving a shortfall of over 53 , 000 this year . 2 . He is continuing to reseaz�ch the possibility of transferring $6 , 121 from a holdover grant account and a possible 52 , 936 from a Transportation account . 3 . Social Day Care Report - The program is doing well but our balance does not agree with the Town' s (off by $5 , 500 ) . Jim also became aware of another account with a $19 , 229 balance that. was unknown to him. The Building account expenses are expected to run short before year � end but can be supplemented from other accounts . 4 , Linda Vine suggested a conference with the Assistant Comptroller . The Town was able to produce year end statements for special accounts at the closing of the last fiscal year . Treasurer ' s report was accepted . Education Committee : 1 . A special pr. ogram is planned at. the Senior Center on WPdnesday , April 15 in celebration of Patriot ' s Day . 2 . A Housing Program is planned for Friday , May 22 from 1 : 30 - 4 : 00 p .m. Linda Vine requested all board members att.end . Other Business - None Emergency Fund Discussion: Dorothy opened the discussion by referring to questions ��i��d in th� l �tt�s s�nk ka kh� Human Serviae Committee : �, � QUESTS4�I 1 , How did the Human Service fund originate? Renee Cochin explained the Human Service Committee ° s charge since 1981 . The committee began as an overseer and recently revised it ' s role . (ie. ) Two programs of COA were originally under Human Services -Adult Dav Health & Senior Health Monitor No age barrier on Human Service response. The Human Services Fund aame to be 2 years ago because the committee f.ound times were tough in Lexington and there arose cases in need of emergency assistance . The fund starte�i with $5 , 000 . Short term Emergency Fund proposed to the Selectmen: -limited availability of funds from Town Trustees -need was real despite ostensible prosperity of the rommunity The Lexington Human Service Emergency Fund comes from private sources ( largest is Trustee of public trust ) , All � funds are indi.vidually controlled. There is a dual goal to provide direct relief and to create an endowment . QUESTION 2 . How were criteria for the fund developed? Criteria is given in a brochure : response to a perceived need to provide limited short term funds - limited to under 60 applicants . The COA expressed concern about being listed in the brochure as a service provider . Jim Fenske cited the case of a person over 60 who looked to the COA for help , He questioned how the Human Service Committee could limit the use af funds . Renee Cochin inquired about the purpose of the FCOA. The question was answered by FCOA President , Jackie Davison. Renee Cochin offered the following information about the Human Service Fund ; -no solicitations to date -funds came in response to a Town Meeting presentation -Trustees hold the funds contributed 3 � , I i - e ( In response to question regarding why disbursements are treated as interest free loans, it was explained that this system preserves individual dignity and offers hope of repayment . Beneficiaries do sign a note . In response to question regarding follow up of disbursements , Steve Baran tries to follow up . The committee recognizes how little it can do to address overall needs . Kevin Grimes asked if the committee would be willing to stril{e the "age 60 or under" criteria from the program. Renee Cochin stated that she sees no objection and in fact grants have been made to an over age 60 person , i The real questions appear to be how to identify the emergency needs , and how to fund the Emergency Fund. Jim Fenske suggeated the following ; -do not separate by age -ask the COA to help to identify needs � � -follow up with services to elders Renee Cochin agreed with J . Fenske's proposals and stated there appeared to have baen a misunderstanding of respective roles of the Human Service Committee, the Council on Aging and the Friends of the Council on Aging . She also asked for ideas to cooperate with funding for -the Emergency Fund. A future meeting was proposed by Kevin Grimes. Lexington Food Pantry - Richard Ballou Many Lexington residents use the Food Pantry and many Lexington residents go elsewhere far necessities . Seniors do not frequent the Food Pantry very often. Current weekly number ot users is in the 50 's; actual unduplicated number of users is 180-220 . Most persons are short term users although some are "permanent" regulars . 4 � ' � �� Food Pantry users fall into these major categories : -Cambodian refugees -parents of infants -few elders -very few users in 40-50 age group Meeting was adjourned at 6 : 15 •p :m. Harriet Onello, Secretary ( 5 � , �