HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-11-12-COA-min.pdf LEXINGTON COUNCIL ON AGING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 12, 1997
ATTENDING Clark Cowen, Chairperson
Phyllis Rand
Nancy Freed,Staff
Carol Murphy
Jacqueline Davison
Peg Jemison
Barbara Rubin
John Curry
Irving Rothman, Minuteman Home Care Liaison
Gene Isotti
Jane Trudeau
Roz Gittleman, Human Services Liaison
Anne Kriebel
ABSENT Sheldon Spector
CHAIRPERSON'S REMARKS: Clark Cowen called the meeting to order at 4.35 p.m. and
welcomed Roz Gittlemen, Human Services Liaison, and Irving Rothman, Minuteman Home Care
Liaison. The minutes of the October Regular and Special Board meetings were approved as
written.
FINANCIAL REPORT John Curry gave a report on the 96-97 FY, indicating that a small surplus
of less than $100 in free cash was returned. The final report from the town should be available by
next month's meeting.
A review of the Meals on Wheels budget, as of 9/30/97, shows progress in reducing the deficit.
There is a surplus of approximately $2,000; the program bears close watching. There is closer
scrutiny paid to past due accounts with follow-up phone calls.
The Social Day Care budget appears to be OK, but also bears monitoring. There are thirty clients
attending each day, with an overall total of forty-five. Since there is a waiting list, a fifth day is a
possibility If additional staffing is needed, the issue of benefits could impact their budget.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT Barbara Rubin reported that the October program featuring
the Athenian Restaurant was a huge success. The program on November 17 will feature Dabin,
presenting Japanese and Korean food samples, followed by Jackie Davison's slides of her trip to
Japan.
Plans are firming up for a "Post Grad for a Day" program on January 15, 1998. There will be
morning and afternoon workshops, covering a range of topics, presented by prominent Lexington
professionals, with a catered lunch. There will•be a minimal charge to cover the cost of the lunch.
This is new type of program, modeled after the Elderhoste Program, offering a choice of subjects;
the aim of which is to attract more and new people to the LSC
Barbara is also working with Anne Novak, the librarian, on an all day program in March to celebrate
Women's National History Month.
Clark reported on the Information Forum on the Debt Exclusion Override to be held on November
17, 9:30 to 11.30 a.m. Copies of the agenda and press release were distributed. Nancy Earsy,
a Board Member of the League of Women Voters will be the moderator Dr Young will outline the
School Department proposal, followed by the panelists--Peter Kelley, Roger Borghesani, Barrie
Peitz, Dan Busa, Perry Pollins, and Neal Boyle. There will be a question and answer period for
audience participation.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP EVENT Nancy Freed reported on the 24 hour Relay Challenge,
scheduled for May 17-18, 1998. The COA will offer any interested seniors, walkers, cyclists,
runners, the opportunity to participate as partners with students. Thirty to thirty-five teams are
expected to participate. Nancy views this as an opportunity for intergenerational involvement.
DINING ROOM REPORT A report submitted by Marie Galloway, Nutrition Coordinator, was
reviewed. The question of transportation for seniors in the various housing sites was discussed.
Nancy will talk with the Lexington Housing Authority and Lexpress to see if transportation could be
provided one day a week.
MUZZEY TRUSTEE BOARD: The Muzzey Board is looking for people to serve on their Board of
Trustees; and the COA received a notice to this effect. Nancy stressed that this is an excellent
opportunity to establish a relationship with them. There would be more communication and
incidents such as one that occured two weeks ago might be avoided. Peg Jemison volunteered
to run in the Trustee elections.
FCOA AUCTION• The FCOA will sponsor a major fund raising auction, April 17, 1998. The staff
and volunteers from LSC will work on this event.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Jackie Davison attended the luncheon at Fiske School today and reported it to be a success. About
thirty seniors ate with first, third, and fifth graders. The School Principal is very committed to
intergenerational programs and more will be planned for the future.
An announcement was made about the participation of a team from the COA, The Senior Swarm,
in the town-wide Spelling Bee to take place on Thursday evening, November 13.
Irving Rothman, from the MHC Board, spoke briefly about their programs and services. He gave
us a brochure, outlining MHC's participation as an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP). He will
periodically update the Board on MHC.
The Friend to Friend program, funded by a grant from the Dept. Of Elder Affairs, is a pilot program
to match up volunteers with seniors who need help with errands. Mary Bablitch has been hired to
implement this program.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Phyllis Rand, secretary