HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-07-COA-minTown of Lexington Council on Aging Board Meeting
Date: May 7, 2025
Time: 2:38 PM
COA-Sue Rockwell, John Zhao, Bonnie Teitleman-Levin, Sudhir Jain, Janet M
Perry, Ellen Cameron, Charles James
Staff -Michelle Kelleher, Dana Bickelman, Christine Dean
Julie Ann called hybrid meeting to order 2:38 PM and took attendance. Michelle
Kelleher had provided members w/agenda, April minutes. Julie Ann identified
board members Sue Rockwell, John Z to work w/volunteers
Approved March Meeting Minutes
April minutes approved. Bonnie will assume secretarial role going forward
New Business
We reviewed the Aging in Place Resource Fair yesterday, which we all
attended. The Fair was big success with 50+ vendors and over 200
attendees. Accolades, praise for Michelle who organized and ran the fair
so professionally. Julie gave her a plant, Ellen a dessert to acknowledge
thanks. We look forward to doing it again.
Staff Reports
Christine Dean (reported by Michelle)Community Center Director
• Shades now over ping gong tables and fitness equipment, tent coming
Michelle Kelleher, Senior Services Director
• Veteran's Breakfast 5/17, looking to identify Korean War vets for medals,
let Michelle know if you know any
• Programs:
o Latest Alzheimer's Advances 5/28 5:30-6:30PM
o Family caregiving Benefits 6/4 5:30-6:30 PM
Dana Bickelman, Director of Human Services
• Dana Home Grant, along with Kelsey, for marketing,volunteers
2 MSW interns Simmons, Salem
Senior Resource Guide close to end
Liaison Reports
Minuteman Senior Services, Sudhir Jain
• FY 26 $425 million cut/loss in federal grants eliminating food
programs, housing development, meals on wheels
• Meals at community center Mon, Wed,Fri will be affected
• Some vendors may be affected
• May Mental Health Awareness month
• Medicare savings program $185 Arlington and Acton Senior
Centers
• April National Volunteer Month
o $22,000 donation in time and service
• 5t" annual Spring Run Walk Program 5/11-18 $35,000, collected
$33,000 so far
• Fundraising goal this year: $412,000
o Boston Foundation donated $25,000
o Dana Home Foundation grant $45,000
• Upcoming Events
• Discovery Day Lexington 5/24 no COA table this year
• Winchester Town Day 6/7
Transportation Sudhir
• Red line extension Lexington -Arlington
• New fleet of buses for Lexpress 9/25
• 46 residential units at 231 Mass Ave,mixed use
• Susan Barrett introduced book: When Driving isn't an Option by
Anna Zivarts, talk 5/29
FCOA Sudhir no update
Disability Commission -Janet Perry
• How to prepare parking for disabled
• Updating info on disablities
Housing Partnership - John Zhao
• Lack of accessible housing, need to educate town
• Town voting on articles, rezoning for T
• 50% affordable units for affordable housing
Lexington Housing Authority — Susan Rockwell
• Grady village electric issues resolved
• Reviewed annual small projects plan
• 2nd yr of 5 yr plan updating admissions, occupancy
• Annual elections, continuing with same officers
• Vine Street updates
Mental Health & Wellness Task Force — Ellen Cameron, Jyotsna
Kakullavarapu.
• Interns will update website
• Strategic Equity- Dana will talk about what DEI will look like now;
DEI coordinator at LHS will present on 6/8 to Selectboard
Vision for Lexington Jyotsna Kakullavarapu-no updates
Lexington Center Committee -Janet Perry no update
Strategic Equity Advisory Team (SEAT) - Ellen Cameron
No update
The COA meeting was Adjourned at 3:49 PM.
Next meeting June 4 Hybrid, Community Center, 2:30-4PM. No meeting in July
Bonnie Teitleman Levin