HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-03-10-COA-min.pdf LEXINGTON COUNCIL ON AGING
LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
MARCH 10, 1999
ATTENDING Clark Cowen, Chairperson
Phyllis Rand
Nancy Freed, Staff
Jacqueline Davison
Anne Kriebel
Sheldon Spector
Dan Fenn
Chris Gelling, Staff
Carol Murphy
Jane Trudeau
Peg Jemison
Marilyn Campbell
James Nicoloro, Lexington Senior Citizens Club
Marion Fitzpatrick, Lexington Senior Citizens Club
CHAIRPERSON'S REMARKS: Clark Cowen called the meeting to order at 4.35 p.m. The
minutes of the February 10 meeting were accepted as written.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT Jackie Davison reported that the registration for the
Women's Conference, scheduled for Wed., March 24, is filled and the arrangements are
completed. The proclamation will be updated, and Barbara Rubin will be honored for her years
of work on the Education Committee.
LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT Clark Cowen reported on the visit that was
made to the Sudbury site on March 4. It is a community center, serving the youth, the seniors,
and various town boards. It is located in an old school building; the senior wing was added at
the town's expense. There are separate entrances for the seniors and the youth; and the
director assured us that there is no conflict between the two groups' use of the facility There is
a large gym that serves as an all-purpose room, and a renovated kitchen that are shared by
both groups. They offer a limited program, serving a senior community of about 3,0b0.
Marblehead is the next site to be visited on March 19.
DINING ROOM COMMITTEE REPORT Clark Cowen and John Federochko have organized a
series of four social luncheons, to begin on Thursday, April 15. The cost will be $25 for the four
luncheons, each of which will be catered by a different local restaurant and hosted by two
volunteers. Registration and advance payment will be required.
SENIOR HEALTH MONITOR COMMITTEE REPORT Marilyn Campbell reported that she and
Don Graham had met with Amy Yang, the social worker, and two nurses from the VNA, the
provider of this service. Both nurses, the visiting one and the administrative one, were able to
give a good picture of this vital service that they provide. About 60 clients are served, but this
number will probably increase as Medicare services are cut. The town funds the program;
FY'99 budget allocated $43,775; and clients are asked for a co-payment of $5 to $10.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT Nancy Freed distributed an overview of the funding of the COA FY99
budget and said that a quarterly report will be presented at the next Board meeting. The
( overview shows three sources of funding: Town funding, which comprises 65% of the budget;
grant and external funding, 10% of the budget; and Adult Day Care fee for service funding, 25%
of the budget. The total FY99 COA budget is $481,151 There may be a problem in FY00 when
the Adult Day Care program will be affected by a decrease in the number of rides available to
clients. Effective 7/1/99, the daily fees for the Adult Day Care program will be increased from
$25 to $27
The Muzzey Trustees are in the process of filing a legal suit against the COA on several
issues: parking; non-payment of condo fees, an increase for which the COA was not billed; and
the use of the Center by non-seniors (the contract specifies seniors, only). There are new
officers on the Muzzey Trustee Board, as was evident when three cars were towed from the
parking lot at the time the Chinese New Year celebration was held in February There will be a
meeting with the Trustees on March 24, at which time Nancy, Clark Cowen, Peg Jemison (the
COA member of the Trustees), Jane Trudeau, and the Town counsel, Norm Cohen, will be
present.
The new Board of Selectmen has met, but a COA liaison has not been selected yet.
SENIOR CITIZEN'S CLUB PRESENTATION: Clark Cowen turned the meeting over to Jackie
Davison, Chairperson of the Ad hoc committee. James Nicoloro thanked the Board for the
opportunity to speak. He presented his case for the restoration of funding to the Club from the
COA budget. He sited the history of this funding, referring to an agreement signed in 1979 and
the past cooperation between the Club and the COA Board. In answers to questions from
( Board members, Mr Nicoloro stated that the Club no longer offers trips (this is done by the
COA); the money is needed to help offset the expenses of the three banquets that are held
annually Attendance at these is about 400 seniors.
Marion Fitzpatrick noted the decline in the Club membership and the increased expenses of the
Club The Ad hoc committee thanked Mr Nicoloro for his presentation.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Phyllis Rand, secretary