HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-12-09-COA-min.pdf LEXINGTON COUNCIL ON AGING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 9, 1998
ATTENDING Clark Cowen, Chairperson
Phyllis Rand
Nancy Freed, Staff
Jacqueline Davison
Peg Jemison
Jane Trudeau
Anne Kriebel
Irving Rothman, Minuteman Home Care Liaison
Donald Graham
Marilyn Campbell
Roz Gittleman, Human Services Liaison
Linda Crew Vine, Assistant Town Manager
Carol Murphy
Barbara Rubin
Sheldon Spector
CHAIRPERSON'S REMARKS: After the Board's photo was taken, Clark Cowen called the
meeting to order at 445 p.m. He noted that the Panel on the Debt Exclusion Override
presented on December 4 was well attended and well received. The minutes of the November
18, 1998 meeting were accepted as written.
LINDA CREW VINE: Clark introduced Linda Vine, who had requested an opportunity to speak
before the Board on behalf of the Town Manager's Office, regarding the problems with the
Meals on Wheels Program and other areas of concern at the Senior Center Linda has been
following the Meals on Wheels Program closely, and it now appears likely that the balance of
the stipend grant from Minuteman Home Care will be sufficient to clear up any deficit. As of
December 31, 1998, the program should be fiscally OK, with no deficit. The position that Marie
Galloway holds, Nutrition Site Manager, will be terminated as of December 31,1998; and the
entire program will be transferred to Minuteman Home Care. Linda will write the new contract
and an amendment to the existing contract with Minuteman Home Care. Under the new
contract, Minuteman Home Care will hire and pay for a site manager, who will be responsible
for supervising both the congregate and the meals on wheels programs at the Senior Center
The price for the home delivered meals will be $1 75 for the hot meal and $3.00 for both meals.
This price is possible because of the Federal Government subsidy In addition, special dietary
needs can now be accommodated in the program.
Linda stressed the importance of communicating to the Meals on Wheels clients and to the
public why the change is being made, what the change will mean, and the continuity of the
service. This should be done with letters to the clients, newspaper publicity, and information in
the COA Newsletter It is important that this be done as soon as possible to allay any fears the
clients may have.
Linda asked that a transition plan be in place next week; she will be in regular contact with the
Senior Center to work out the transition.
FINANCIAL REPORT Donald Graham reported on a series of sub-committee meetings of the
Board and meetings with the FCOA. He is presently reviewing records of the Meals on Wheels
Program with Dianne Snell to be able to present a verifiable quarterly report and a fiscal
statement to the Board. Don said that when firm figures are available, the FCOA indicated that
they will help with some scholarships for the program. Both he and Linda indicated that there
may be some money in other COA budget items that could be unencumbered and used for
valued added services to enhance dining room programs.
SCHEDULE FOR VISITING SENIOR CENTERS: Nancy Freed reported that she has contacted
several COA's that have a variety of facilities---those that stand-alone, are shared, and are
intergenerational. Sudbury has a large wing that was added for the COA and is shared with the
recreation department. Weymouth has a similar arrangement. Norwood is located in a new
stand-alone facility, similar to those in Chelmsford and Winchester Marilyn Campbell pointed
out that the Needham COA has visited forty senior centers in Massachusetts and prepared a
study based on the visits. Nancy will ask for a copy of the study and arrange for visits by the
Long-Range Planning Committee to Senior Centers in January
There was no other business, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Phyllis Rand, secretary