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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-06-15-COA-min.pdf LEXINGTON COUNCIL ON AGING MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING June 15, 1994 Lexington Senior Center Attending: Bob Cushman, Chair Monica Chang Frank Chen John Curry Jackie Davison Eugene Isotti Barbara Rubin Steve Baran Human Services Committee Barbara Marshall Board of Health Joanna Fuller Cooperative Elder Services, Inc. Linda Crew Vine Executive Director Carolyn Griffith Staff Chairman Bob Cushman called the meeting at 440 p.m. and gave the following comments: Board member Kevin Grimes tendered his resignation with a letter to Town Manager Rick White. Bob himself is ending his tenure on the Board as he takes on a new job in Connecticut begin- ning July 1 There will be a GOA/FCOA picnic on August 26. Minutes. The May Board minutes were accepted with a typographical correction of Meals-on- Wheels. Financial Report. John Curry reported on COA's finances to the end of April. All accounts were in good standing. He spent time explaining the cost and balances for the Day Care program and for Meals-on-Wheels. There is a sum of $2,200 unencumbered, which can be used to buy a second personal computer for the Center's administrative computing needs. The Senior Health Monitor budget will also have a positive balance available for use within this fiscal year Cooperative Elder Services. Joanna Fuller of this service company discussed its work for residents of Lexington. It appears that seven clients are receiving day care and nursing services from CES, Inc. The principal difference of their work vs. the Center's own Day Care program is in the amount of nursing care required by the more frail seniors. She also discussed the costs and scholarship funds applied to this service. The scholarship money plus $3,000 from the COA budget are needed and appreciated. These monies help keep certain individuals on the program of assistance. Social Day Care. Carolyn Griffith gave a detailed update on our own Social Day Care program. Since its expansion to four days of care, more clients have benefited from this work. The average age of the participants has come down while turnover has gone up, due to movements to nursing homes. The program has received a lot of appreciative comments from clients and their family members. Further expansion to a five-day stretch is likely More funds would be needed and the issue will be brought up for the Town Selectmen's attention. Health Clinic Vendor Performance. Barbara Marshall, chairperson of the Board of Health responded to our concern over the quality of vendor performance at the Centers health clinics. The Board of Health has distributed forms for clients to comment on performance problems, but there has been no returns to the Board ever nor any telephone calls. Linda suggested that COA might coordinate the health clinics with our Senior Health Monitor program, in hopes that the past problems would be eliminated. Also, the Beth Israel and Children's Health Care Center may want to take some action in this area of need. June Meeting Page 2 Education Committee. Barbara Rubin commented on the excellent turn-out and highly com- plimentary responses to the recent events held on Death & Dying and on Senior Assisted Living. We will plan another D&D session next year As to Assisted Living, the COA Board has a chance to make Lexington's needs established as a requirement to the planning of the 350-acre housing development on MDC land. It was felt that a 50-unit affordable Assisted Living provision should be written and submitted for the Selectmen's consideration. A July 11 decision on this development is coming due. We must act in time to have this requirement incorporated. New Officers of COA. Bob Cushman's and Kevin Grimes' departures from the Board created two vacancies. Jackie Davision submitted a replacement slate of officers for FY 1994-1995. They are: Clark Cowen for president,John Curry for treasurer and Frank Chen for secretary The Board voted in these officers unanimously Ed Grant declined for vice president, therefore no nomination was made. Director's Report: Linda reported on a good start of the Proper Tax Work-off Program. To date 51 residents have expressed interest and 35 positions have been identified. Funds are being provided by the Town and the Friends of COA. Frank Fields will be invited to address the Center building improvements in our October meeting. Linda handed out the library report and a four-page public relations release by the Minuteman Home Care, Inc. There is a State legislation pending to designate all seniors' long-term care access to MHC. The second document should be given a careful study There is indication that as it is written,the sole access of all Massachusetts long-term care services via MHC may be in conflict with COA's interests. The intergenerational concert came off well. The Cotting School has plans to send two of the development-disabled teenagers to work in our dining room for five weeks during summer Second Computer Linda has obtained a Town spec for future purchases of PCs. Frank Chen volunteered to check out the right configurations and prices for our new computer He may also consult with the Boston Computer Society experts to make sure our purchase will meet our increased computing needs. A Cake Send Off. Members of the Board treated themselves to a cake snack and wished Bob Cushman bon voyage on his career move to Connecticut. The next Board meeting will be held on September 21 at the Center This meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Frank Chen, Secretary