Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-02-15-COA-min.pdf LEXINGTON COUNCIL ON AGING Minutes of Board Meeting ( February 15, 1994 Lexington Senior Center Attending: Bob Cushman, Chair Frank Chen Clark Cowen John Curry Kevin Grimes Gene Isotti Dan Fenn, Selectman Linda Vine, Executive Director Diana Gramont, Staff The February meeting was called to order by chairman Bob Cushmen at 4:37 p.m. In opening remarks Bob announced that Jackie Davidson had joined COA as a board member The COA bud- get was accepted by the Board of Selectmen on January 19 without changes. There will be a semi- nar on aging and physical fitness March 30 All Board members are urged to attend. The Lexington Food Pantry declined our invitation asking them to handle the Centers surplus diary products. The Muzzey dispute still has not been resolved, with more discussion later in the meet- ing. Similarly the exploration of senior health care with the Medical Care Center in Lexington will also be further discussed. The minutes of the January meeting was accepted with two corrections: (1) delete Merlyn South- wick as a speaker at the March workshop on assisted living; and (2) relative to COA relations with ( the Muzzey condo residents, it was Dan Fenn's suggestion that the matter be taken up by the COA Board with the condominium Board of Trustees. Intergenerational Committee Report. Diana Gramont gave a progress report on the townwide survey being planned to create a directory of all intergenerational projects already going on in the town. This should be a help to the coordination and/or development of I-G activities under COAs auspices. The committee sees the possibility of a high school intern to help with computerizing the survey data. Further, we also see the likelihood of a university-level internship to help shape future I-G program activities. Dan Fenn made the suggestion that we might talk with some uni- versity experts about this before the survey form is finalized. Diana and Frank Chen agreed to pursue this suggestion with one or more Boston area universities. Kevin Grimes suggested con- tacting the Erikson Institute in Cambridge as well. Financial Report. John Curry discussed the COA finances from data for the first six months end- ing 12/31/93. The balance of unencumbered budget stood at a little over $4,900. John is looking into the erratic pattern of monthly expenditures with Meals-on-Wheels and Share-A-Ride. Education Committee Report. Clark Cowen reported that more than 100 persons attended the January 24 seminar on Selling Your Homes, a group much larger than had been expected. Real- tors and estate lawyers spoke to the participants. The handout material was in high demand. An all-day conference on Death and Dying has been planned for May 9 The committee is at work on the program and the speakers. It is also looking for a conference site with kitchen facilities and adequate parking. Suggestions included the First Parish, the Museum of Our Heritage, the Elks, and the Beth Israel Medical Center The Assisted Living Workshop is planned for June 3 with three hours of presentation. The town Planning Board, the League of Women Voters, the Town Manager's offices and others are invited to the workshop. In the afternoon the participants have an opportunity to visit three north-shore facilities of assisted living. All Board members are invited to attend. February Board Meeting page 2 ( Director's Report. The new system of Meals-On-Wheels is working well. Food quality is good and the number of meals served is up. We added a sixth route. However, the program cannot handle special diets such as for diabetic persons. Nor can we do any special food handling. A nursing- home client intends to return to our nutrition lunch program two days a week. We suggested that the nursing home send along pureed food with this special client. Bob Cushman will moderate the February 22 town candidates' forum 1:00 p.m at the Center Lexington COA did not receive a free van from the state as more urgent needs in the rural areas took precedence. A Muzzey resident placed a threatening note on the windshield of a senior client of the Center The relations issue was further discussed. Bob Cushman, representing the Board, will take up the matter with the condominium Board of Trustees, along with the Town Manager A March event is being planned for a discussion of 'Remembering Growing Up in Boston It will be recorded by cassette tape. There will be a March 22 Talent Show with twelve to fifteen acts and featuring Carol Murphy The new Bridge Room has been placed in use. To replace the classroom room space, an accordion room divider will be installed in the open space previously used for bridge games. Uses of COAs unencumbered funds include: closet doors at the entry-way, re-carpeting of some areas at the Center, re-padding of the pool table, and putting in the accordion partition downstairs. ( The inside painting of the Center is being done with paint donated by Sherwin Williams. The Friends of COA has planned a flee market event on April 15. It is also looking for a treasurer to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Tim Quinlan. The COA newsletter has a new COA Feature column. In March it calls for suggestions on senior recreational interests. Linda received a letter from Beth Israel Hospital of Boston with ideas for the senior health educa- tional program. The Education Committee is working with the MediCare Center on the program ideas. Linda handed out a Winter schedule of events at the Center There are eight categories of activi- ties. She also distributed the January report of the Center library The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Frank W Chen, Secretary