HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-05-COA-min (2)
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Town of Lexington Council on Aging Board Meeting
Date: February 5, 2025
Time: 2:34 PM
Attendees:
COA-Sue Rockwell, John Zhao, Bonnie Teitleman-Levin, Sudhir Jain,
Janet M Perry, Ellen Cameron, Charles James, Julie Barker, Julie-
Ann Shapiro, Jyotsna Kakullavarapu
Staff-Michelle Kelleher, Dana Bickelman, Kelsey Rollins, Christine
Dean
John Zhao called hybrid meeting to order 2:34 PM and took
attendance. Michelle Kelleher recorded and provided members
w/agenda, January minutes.
Approve January Meeting Minutes
COA members approved the January Minutes
Public Comments
Taylor Singh would like to speak to COA re;tax burdens to
Seniors w/new high school, she will reach out
Old Business
Working Group mtg started list for Resource Fair 5/6/25 from 4-
6 PM, all COA board will attend, 40 + vendors
Senior Housing mtg w/Housing Partnership attended by John,
Ellen, discussed need for it to be close to resources
Promote, encourage 55+ housing in adjacent towns
Support aging in place, making current home safe
New Business/Announcements
One senior asked re Adult Day Health-not in Lexington.
Michelle refers to Arlington Multicultural, Burlington or
Billerica,will include adult day health options in resource guide
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Staff Reports
Kelsey Rollins
Shared slide show Year in Review showed staff, programs,
support groups, collaborations
10 wk program by 2 Regis Occ Therapy students on Wellness; 28
signed up, wait list
Graphic art intern from Middlesex CC to help graphic design,
advertisements
Wellness Clinic in Villages changed to Tuesdays
Needed another back up for Wellness
Last March/April Sage being sent out, will have to request going
forward
Christine Dean
Slides 2024 stats report, suggestion to display Year in Review
on loop at CC and CC stats
Hybrid Mtg 2/6 on high school project #9 at Cary Hall
Grant funded art projects posted in CC and tennis court
CC furniture will be reupholstered
Dana Bickelman
Dana will be presenting to Selectboard 2/14 9AM on seniors
Liaison Reports
Minuteman Senior Services, Transportation Committee,
Sudhir
Aging and Independence lecture; Crafty Yankee, local store,
partnering w/MMSS for gift card fundraising; budget special
federal loans thru 3/25/25; uncertain affect of DEI on MMSS;
Online group on health and wellness; Natural Balance class
2/12-4/9; Caregiver’s group 2/24. -3/31 1-3:30PM; My Life, My
Health program; 135 units of multifamily housing 5 stories, 90
parking spaces
FCOA Sudhir
Survey for fundraising suggestions
Disability Commission-Janet Perry
Builder of Mass Ave development attended January mtg and
discussed handicapped needs in housing; met new Town
Manager
Housing Partnership - John Zhao
Mtgs 3x month, invited Planning Board anticipating 400-800
units, have 1,000 applicants; need modified Article 34;
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Selectboard needs to decide if Lexington residents get
preference, want to slow process
Lexington Housing Authority – Susan Rockwell
State did Sec 8 review, no receivables; Countryside will be
brought in. People who qualify for Lexington housing may move
out while waiting, will have public mtg to clarify priority
placement; Greely Village new bathtubs, small rent increase;
Melissa Ln project abuts Greely Village
Mental Health & Wellness Task Force – Ellen Cameron,
Jyotsna Kakullavarapu.
Vision for Lexington Jyotsna Kakullavarapu-no updates
Lexington Center Committee-Janet Perry
1917 new steak house restaurant Waltham St; bike path
signage updated; solar panels in Muzzey parking lot
Janet has been town meeting member for 40 years
Strategic Equity Advisory Team (SEAT) - Ellen Cameron
Awaiting how town will handle DEI
The COA meeting was Adjourned at 3:53 PM.
Submitted by Bonnie Teitleman