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Home My WebLink About1994-03-08-COA-min.pdf LEXINGTON COUNCIL ON AGING Minutes of Board Meeting March 8, 1994 Lexington Senior Center Attending• Bob Cushman, Chair Clark Cowen Jackie Davidson Ed Grant Gene Isotti Barbara Rubin Donna Hooper, Human Resource Committee Linda Vina, Executive Director, COA Chairperson Bob Cushman called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m. In opening remarks he reported that he moderated the town candidates' debate at the Center He attended the annual meeting of the Muzzey Condominium Association, to look after our interests and to explore approaches to certain condo residents who have displayed ill-will towards the COA. When asked, the Association felt uncomfortable having a COA representative at their monthly meetings. Bob introduced Moira Fontaine, the new program director of the Recreation Department. Moira will work with the COA to develop more activities for seniors. The minutes of the February meeting was accepted with,two corrections: (1) the umbrella agency for Beth Israel is the Medical Center, not Medi Care Center; (2) Jackie recommended inviting Joe ( (1 Merino of the Planning Committee to the Assisted Living workshop. Education Committee Report. Barbara Rubin presented an update of the Death and Dying Confer- ence. New date; Wednesday, May 18, 1994. Time: 9:15 to 2:15 (8:30-coffee). Locale: the Senior Center Registration fee of$7.00 for luncheon. Speakers and panelists will be: Paul Montgomery, Director of Emerson Hospital's Hospice Program; Harriet Onello, Attorney; Susan Douglas, Douglas Funeral Home; Nancy Dorfman, Director, Hemlock Society; and David Clarke, Direc- tor, Massachusetts Health Decisions. A flyer will be prepared and an article will be featured in the COA newsletter and in local papers. Director's Report. Linda announced that Clark Cowen has been designated as COA's liaison to the Recreation Committee. In an earlier newsletter she requested programming ideas from seniors. Among ideas were a tennis league, group hikes, a bike group, organized tournaments with other senior centers, yoga and body toning. Moira is now exploring the option of a low-impact fitness class. To gain approval for an expenditure by the FCOA, Linda introduced Peter Kelley who reviewed plans to renovate the downstairs space. New accordion doors with wall supports will be installed, giving us an additional classroom plus improving heating efficiency A motion for this project was unanimously passed. Linda presented a draft of the new brochure on the Property Tax Work-Off Program and invited comments from all. She distributed hand-outs on the Clients Application Form and the Town Departments Request Form. Additional hand-outs were: the COA Comprehensive Budget, FY 1993-1994. Library report. Appli- cation for the Cane Award. Governor Weld's FY 95 budget which indicates additional monies for Lexington COA due to an anticipated increase in allowance for each senior resident. These monies will pay for the salary of Karen Santucci. March 8 Meeting Minutes page 2 Linda reported that due to cutbacks the MBTA will no longer come to the COA to issue passes to seniors. They are now expected to go to Boston for the passes. Linda notified Representative Steve Doran, who in turn called other legislators. Linda urged us to call a Mr Haley at the MBTA to protest their decision. Linda invited comments regarding the COA policy towards staff when the Center is closed by snow storms, Although the Center is closed as are the schools, some staff members have been coming in while others did not. Among the suggestions: rotating the staff to come in, having them take vaca- tion days off or coming in for a half day when roads are plowed, and taking work home when a storm is anticipated. Announcements: • Talent Show, March 22 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m, at the Center • FCOA Flea Market & Bake Sale April 15, 1:30 to 4:30 at the Center • May is Older Americans Month, with a COA art show plus other events to be formulated at sites such as the Museum of Our National Heritage. • The Beth Israel Medical Center will establish a hotline. It is establishing an advisory group composed of retired persons. Their first educational program at the COA will be on Travel Health, • Karen Santucci will be the host supervisor of'an intern from Cambridge College who will be available 2 112 days per week for a year She will be working with special groups. • The distribution of an emergency packet prepared by Diana Gramont s students for meals-on- wheels seniors and for sick seniors in order to carry them through a snow storm. The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Rubin Acting Secretary l