HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-11-09-COA-min.pdf LEXINGTON COUNCIL ON AGING
Minutes of Board Meeting
November 9,1993
Lexington Senior Center
Attending: Bob Cushman, Chairman
Monica Chang
Frank Chen
Clark Cowen
John Curry
Kevin Grimes
Barbara Rubin
Linda Vine, Executive Director
Carolyn Griffith, Social Day Care
Donna Hooper,Human Service Committee Liaison
The November 9 meeting opened at 4:35 p.m. with Bob Cushman presiding. Pictures were taken
of the Board at work, for use In the town's annual report.
The October minutes were approved.
In opening remarks were the following items: Bill Sen, ex-president of Council on Aging is
writing a history of the COA, Carol Murphy, our volunteer supervisor, won a state-wide
contest and was crowned Mrs. Senior Massachusetts, She will appear in a talk-show and enjoy a
trip to the Bahamas. , Wilson Farm made a contribution of $478 to COA. The Board
recommended that this amount be transferred to the Friends of COA,
Kevin Grimes reported that the Linkage committee completed a draft report. Bob Cushman
will meet with the Town Manager to highlight the principal issues of senior health care. It
was recommended that the town forms an ad hoc committee to consider taking appropriate
actions. The draft report marks the end of the Linkage project. It was further suggested that we
consider some specific action recommendations at.w DeceuPbeUneeting.
COA board volunteers signed up to distribute Thanksgiving holiday meals to a number of home-
bound seniors in the villages.
John Curry presented the fiscal 95 budget figures.The Town Manager had asked for thoughts on
options for a 10-percent budget reduction.Two such options were discussed,both of which would
impact basic services to senior citizens.
Linda Vine alerted the Board to consider the impact of an Assisted Living Program on our FY 96
budget. The costs will require a supplementary budget request to the Town. wn .- I-nnin
thinking. bout it in the ep u/inz,year
Carol Griffith reported on the instant success of a fourth day in the Social Day Care Program.
Implemented on October 1, it met our targeted enrollment within Just five weeks. Forty-four
percent of the current Day Care clients signed up for Day 4 as well,
Barbara Rubin reported on the Education Committee activities. Shc highlighted several
coming events to which all are invited to participate. These are: (1) An Emerson Hospital event
on cardiac care, lanuary 10. 1994. (2) A workshop January 24 at 1:QQ p.m. on the financial and
legal Implications of selling your home (3) A Mitch 4 workshop on assisted living, with
attendance by invitation only Paul Lanzikos, an expert on the subject, will be guest speaker (4)
An all,dav May 9 program on 'Death and Dying", to take place either at Brookhaven or in a
church or a temple.
November 9 Meeting,page 2
Clark Cowen reported on his participation in the town's Assessment Advisory Committee. The
1994 assessments were thought to be generally fair and acceptable. A citizens' guide on the new
assessments was being drafted. The higher assessments would require better communications
with the Lexington property owners.
Linda Vine discussed a November 1 draft on the Property Tax Work-off Program for seniors in
need of tax relief
Director's Report: Linda Vine distributed copies of a letter from Joan Butler-West of
Minuteman Home Care dated October 26, 1993. it summarized the MHC activities benefitting
the Lexington seniors, Two of the MHC board members are from Lexington, namely Theresa
McKenna and Eleanor Merz. It was suggested that we might invite them to meet with us at a
future meeting to keep us informed on MHC events and issues.
Linda discussed some potential problems of having the Meals on Wheels provided by the food
service department of Symmes Hospital. One thought would be to bring the program in house
and have the meals supplied by Servomation. The cost would be about $3.40 per meal, with
subsidies,for 43 clients, Bob Cushman and John Curry volunteered to work with Linda and find a
solution.
Our next meeting will be on December 14. Linda Vine reminds us that we should come prepared
to make sueeestions on senior recreation mailers. for a forthcoming discussion with the Lexington
Recreation Committee,
The meeting was adjourned at 6;30 p.m. !!!1
Respectfully submitted,
Frank Chen, Secretary
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