HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-01-14-COA-min.pdf LEXINGTON COUNCIL ON AGING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 14, 1998
ATTENDING Clark Cowen, Chairperson
Phyllis Rand
Nancy Freed, Staff
Jacqueline Davison
Peg Jemison
Sheldon Spector
Gene Isotti
Roz Gittleman, Human Services Liaison
Irving Rothman, Minuteman Home Care Liaison
Anne Kriebel
Chris Gelling, Staff
ABSENT Carol Murphy
Barbara Rubin
Jane Trudeau
John Curry
CHAIRPERSON'S REMARKS: Clark Cowen called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. The minutes
of the December 10 meeting were accepted.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE UPDATES: Chris Gelling gave an update on the Post Grad For A Day
Program, scheduled for Jan. 15. There has been a wonderful response with over seventy people
registering on the first day About 115 people have registered and 130 are expected with the
faculty, staff, and Board members.
Jackie Davison spoke about the need for a Candidates Forum for the School Committee and Town
elections that are to be held in March. Wednesday, February 18, 9:30 to 11.30 a.m. was selected,
with an alternate date of Thursday, Feb 19
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
SENIOR INFORMATION COMMITTEE: Nancy Freed has been meeting with Peg Jemison
and Karen Santucci to assess the needs of the elderly Two areas have been identified—in home
health care and transportation to doctor's appointments and the Senior Center Nancy discussed
the Senior Health Monitor program, which has been servicing seniors for the past ten years. The
town's contract with Olsten Services is for $42,500 per year and can serve about forty clients a
month with an annual total of 1400 visits. Because of cutbacks by Medicare in services, there has
been a 35% increase in referrals. Additional referrals are to be expected as more cutbacks
become effective in July, 1998. Nancy plans to ask the Town for an additional $20,000 to meet
these needs and would like the support of the COA Board. A motion was made and unanimously
passed to support Nancy Freed 's request for a line item to increase the FY98 budget to meet the
needs of the shortfall of the Senior Health Monitor Program and to increase the item in the FY99
budget to accommodate the projected needs as she sees them.
With regard to the transportation issue, Nancy has been working with Lexpress to try to get direct
bus service to the Senior Center Since Transportation Coordinator, Barbara Lucas, has left and
there has not been a replacement, there has not been any progress on this issue. Another source
of transportation is through a $25,000 grant from Lahey Medical Center for transportation to Lahey
and for other purposes. This is administered through the Lexpress Office. FISH was suggested
as an alternate service; Nancy reported that FISH has reached its limits. Nancy will continue to
strategize with the staff on this issue.
FCOA APRIL 17TH AUCTION: This will take place at Cary Hall, with the Cannalongas and
the Kelleys co-chairing the event. Nancy asked the Board Members to help where needed.
JANUARY 21ST NEW YEARS PARTY Nancy invited the Board Members to this party on
Wednesday, Jan.21 6 to 9 p.m. There will be a buffet supper and music; the charge is $3.
OTHER NEW BUSINESS: Peg Jemison gave a report on the Muzzey Condo Association meeting
that she attended on Jan. 13. They still want to have 70 assigned parking spots, with the balance
reserved for guests, and are getting legal advice to review the original agreement with the Town.
There were several specific complaints about the parking lot—buses returning at 1 a.m., and
people leaving their cars in the lot to take the MBTA bus or to do errands in town. A notice will be
put in the next COA Newsletter to advise use of the parking lot only for visits to the Senior Center
It was suggested that a friendly gesture would be to invite the Muzzey Board Members to the New
Years Party on Jan. 21 Nancy will do this and has in the past tried to reach out to them and
advise them of special events at the Senior Center Peg reported that the tone of the meeting was
negative towards the Senior Center and would appreciate any suggestions that might help.
There was no other business, and the meeting was adjourned at 6 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Phyllis Rand, secretary