HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-06-COA-min
Town of Lexington Council on Aging Board Meeting
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Lexington Community Center, Room 237
2:35-4:05
Present: Betty Borghesani (co-chair), Nancy Adler, Ellen Cameron, Camille Goodwin, Gerry Howell,
Marion Kilson, Rich McDonough
Staff: Christine Dean (Community Center), Melissa Interess (Senior Services), Charlotte Rodgers (Human
Services), Hemali Shah (Senior Services)
Public Comments: None
Review of August Minutes of COA Board Meeting: Minutes accepted as presented.
Staff Reports: Charlotte Rodgers began by noting two positions that have become vacantKristie
in Transportation. In addition she is
searching for a part-time Volunteer coordinator. The first of new Lexpress buses arrives tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the new Checker Cab contract is working well. Hemali Shah stated that Fall programming
has begun. Two notable programs are Aging Mastery through the National Council on Aging and a
Technology program that a high school Girl Scout will be conducting for her Gold Award until May. In
addition, OWLL Registration will take place tomorrow. Hemali will hold drop-in office hours once a
month to encourage people to bring her innovative program ideas; the monthly office hours will be
announced in the Newsletter. Melissa Interess reported that the November/December newsletter will
include a survey to glean new program ideas and suggestions; in addition, the suggestion box at the
Community Center is reviewed weekly and all suggestions are responded to, provided the writer
provides his/her contact information. Christine Dean
great success with about 500 participants. The next big community event will be a Halloween Haunted
House. Two drop-in programs are the Needles Club and Crafters Club. Registration for the Fall
th
beginning on August 28 was a smooth success.
Liaison Reports: Community Center Program Advisory CommitteeNancy Adler said that although
the committee did not meet last month, there will be an important joint meeting with Recreation
Department Committee and the Community Center Program Advisory Committee on September 14 at
7pm to talk about the future; she encouraged people to attend this meeting. Nancy also asked Christine
Dean about the situation regarding building use and fees; Christine stated that the current proposal will
be reviewed at the September 14 meeting. TransportationNancy Adler reported that over the past 5-
6 years, senior usage increased on Lexpr FCOA in Sophia
Janice Kennedy encouraged people to attend FCOA meetings on the third Thursday of the
month at 9:30am. Human Services CommitteeBetty Borghesani said that the committee meets next
week. Charlotte Rodgers reported that on September 27 there will be a joint big picture meeting on
Human Services and Youth and Family Services. In response to question about the extent of the opiod
crisis in Lexington, Charlotte reported that human services and fire department are sponsoring trainings
on how to obtain and use Narcan which will be available in public buildings and that there is a support
group for parents whose children have addictions. Disability Commission needs a liaison. Lexington
Housing AuthorityCamille Goodwin reported that it will meet next week. OWLLMarion Kilson
distributed Fall course brochures and invited all to attend the kick-off reception tomorrow. Housing
PartnershipRich McDonough reported that Lexington Housing will have four rental units in Judges
Row.
New Business/Announcements
(1) Lunch Frequency Review: The final half hour of the meeting was devoted to a discussion of the
frequency of weekly lunches at the Community Center. At Muzzey, Minuteman Senior Services
provided five lunches each week (Mon-Fri) that were not well-attended. At the Community
Center, Brookhaven provides more popular lunches three days a week (Mon, Wed, Fri). The
focus of the discussion was on if meals could be offered 5 days per week again. Not only is it not
possible for Brookhaven to offer more lunches per their limitations, but efforts to achieve
balanced programming that is multigenerational is a goal at the Community Center. At the
conclusion of the discussion Nancy Adler moved and Marion Kilson and Camille Goodwin
seconded a motion to create a COA work group comprised of staff, COA, and diners to develop a
recommended solution to the lunch frequency request. The motion passed unanimously. Those
interested in being part of that work group should contact Charlotte Rodgers.
(2) Board Member Vacancy: Betty Borghesani announced that there is a COA Board member
vacancy. Interested people can get application materials from s office or
a more diverse membership on the COA Board to reflect the diversity in Lexingtons population.
Next Meeting: October 4, 2017
Respectfully submitted,
Marion Kilson, Secretary