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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-28-COA-min (Age Friendly Working Group)Age Friendly Working Group Meeting Minutes Date: May 28, 2025 Time: 3:00 pm — 4:00 pm Location: Zoom Attendees: Ellen Cameron, Sudhir Jain, Michelle Kelleher, Bonnie Teitleman-Levin, John Zhao Agenda: • Review and approve minutes April 29, 2025 New business • Age Friendly next steps • Adjourn 1. Call to Order and Roll Call The meeting opened with roll call and acknowledgment of scheduling conflicts. 2. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes The minutes from April 29, 2025, were reviewed and approved. 3. New Business Grant applications: Through the Massachusetts Council on Aging. Kelsey applied for funding to modify bathroom doors to make them accessible for wheelchair and walker users, while Michelle applied for grants related to hoarding programs and exercise initiatives. Dana received a grant for a volunteer program called Lex Helping Hands. The working group discussed about town meeting article may be needed if accessibility funding is available or insufficient. 4. Age -Friendly Next Steps Age in Place Resource Fair recap: Vendor Event Recap: Reviewed feedback on crowding and parking. Decided to develop an online vendor directory and follow up with thank -you emails and surveys. Senior Parking at Events: Discussed solutions including vendor offsite parking, senior -only spots, and a shuttle service. The team also discussed sending thank you letters and surveys following the "aging in place" meeting, with Ellen suggesting they could conduct follow-up activities casually in the summer. • Senior Resource Guide: Dana continuing updates with Julia Flood's support. • Transportation & Housing Initiatives: Covered Lex Express weekend schedule gaps and discussed ideas for expanding routes. Supported further collaboration with the Select Board on tax deferral programs and housing affordability. Senior Housing and Community Planning The group discussed several key topics including housing affordability, senior housing development, and the Senior Resource Guide. John emphasized the need to include senior housing in town RFPs and highlighted the importance of addressing senior challenges, noting that funding for student issues often takes priority. Senior Parking Pass Overhaul: Current spreadsheet system identified as inefficient. John and Michelle to explore IT solutions. Ellen proposed a temporary volunteer -led program for October. The team discussed streamlining the process for managing senior parking passes, which currently involves a complex Excel spreadsheet system. John suggested developing a more permanent solution through IT, either by creating an automated system or applying for a grant to fund software development, potentially involving high school students for community service. Ellen proposed a temporary volunteer -based approach for October, with a Halloween -themed theme and scheduled times, while Michelle agreed to consult with IT about the feasibility of an automated system and investigate whether the two-year expiration requirement is mandatory. Michelle to distribute vendor lists and initiate thank -you and feedback communications. 5. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM. Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 3:00 PM.