HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-24-FFLB-minMINUTES
FUND FOR LEXINGTON BOARD
February 24, 2025
4:00 p.m.
held by remote participation
Present: Doug Lucente, Chair; Joe Pato; Norman Cohen; Ed Grant; Alan Wrigley; Rev Claire
Feingold Thoryn; Lester Savage; Dana Bickelman, Director of Human Services; Melissa Battite,
Recreation Director and Kim Katzenback, Executive Clerk to the Select Board
1) Money Available
State Street Account as of September 30, 2024
Ending Principal Balance $282,267.04
Ending Income Balance $ 13,047.70
Total Ending Balance $295,314.74
Mr. Lucente noted that approximately $21,000 has been received to date since the November 2024
mailing of the Fund for Lexington Annual Appeal, of which $4,500 was received via online
donations.
2) Human Services Report and Requests for Funds
Ms. Bickelman reported the following activity for the Human Services funds dispersed for the period
of September 30, 2024 through 2/24/2025:
Human Services Report
• Human Services Emergency Fund $3,191.50 was distributed to residents facing emergencies
related to their rent, heat and oil, and car repairs.
• Used ARPA funding assist additional residents with other oil needs and moving expenses,
distributing a total of $1,322.96; to donate $14,456.65 to the Lexington Food Pantry and used
remainder to purchase gift cards to have on hand.
• Gift Cards - Since Oct 1 st we've distributed 52 Gift cards for a total of $2,425.24 Market
Basket/Stop and Shop Gift cards disbursed this period
• Total of 23 Transportation passes
Human Service Requests
The Human Services Department requests an additional $10,000 from the Fund for Lexington to
support our emergency fund. Recently, we have seen an increase in residents facing financial
hardships, particularly with utility expenses. Many have already exhausted other resources, including
fuel assistance, and are now turning to our department for help. With this additional funding, we can
better assist those in need and ensure we are prepared to respond to these urgent requests. We
appreciate your consideration and support in helping us provide essential aid to our community. This
additional funding will also be used to provide additional gift cards, as we know grocery prices are
still very high, and we don't want residents to have to decide between ensuring their families are fed
and paying utility and heating bills.
Ms. Bickelman reviewed the Human Services Department requests the Fund for Lexington to
consider modifying the residency requirement for emergency financial support through the Lexington
Emergency Assistance Fund (LEAF) application process. She recommended that a one-year
residency requirement would help in the efforts of effective distribution of funds and for support of
our long-term community members.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Fund for Lexington Board voted 7-0 to
disperse $10,000 from the Fund to the Lexington into the Human Services Emergency Fund and to
change the residency requirement of the Lexington Emergency Assistance Fund (LEAF) program
from three months to now be a one-year residency requirement.
3) Recreation Department Report and Request for funds
Ms. Battite reviewed the Recreation Scholarship Fund report. The Recreation Scholarship Fund is
used to assist children from low income families to attend Town sponsored summer programs.
Recreation Department thanks the Fund for Lexington for their support.
No funding requests at this time.
4) Approval of September 23, 2024 Meeting Minutes
On a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Fund for Lexington Board voted 7-0 to
approve the September 23, 2024 Meeting Minutes.
5) Proposed Meeting dates
Mr. Lucente confirmed the following as the upcoming meeting date for Fund for Lexington Board:
June 23, 2025
October 20, 2025