HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-06-COA-minTown of Lexington Council on Aging Board Meeting
Date: August 6, 2025
Time: 2:32 PM
COA-Sue Rockwell, John Zhao, Bonnie Teitleman-Levin, Janet M Perry, Ellen
Cameron, Julie Ann Shapiro
Staff -Michelle Kelleher, Kelsey Rollins, Christine Dean, Vineeta Kumar, Select
Board liason
John called hybrid meeting to order at 2:32 PM and took attendance
No public comments
June Meeting Minutes approved
New Business
Janet Perry, COA Board and Lion's Club member proposed the idea of a
Senior Ball sponsored by Lion's Club. Board members enthusiastic
o Questions: FCOA involvement? Location?
o Janet will "socialize" the idea and we will talk further
• Vineeta reports that Comcast is interested in program on cybersecurity for
older people; Kelsy is working on it
• John Zhao stepped down from Housing Partnership Board (HPB) as a
voting member. HPB will need a liason from COA to replace him
• Question: Should COA have a liaison to Human Rights ? Discussion -
consensus to invite them to join COA meetings occasionally
Age Friendly Meeting 7/30/25
• Sudhir left report on transportation noting that there is no on -demand
transportation for older people. We will do some research, invite Susan
Barrett, Transportation manager to COA mtg, explore other towns, offer
proposal and then vote
• Action items:
o Popular annual resource fair for aging at home to be scheduled and
planned
o Human Services working on Senior Parking Pass renewals
process, time consuming, will be automated
o Tax rebate and other financial programs to assist older people are
being explored; The Property Tax Work Off Program is a work in
progress
o Will do meet'n'greets
Staff Reports
Christine Dean,Community Center Director
• New shades for fitness equipment; camp winding down; fall program guide
next week; registration 8/19; murals done
• Christine and Michelle will present on the intergenerational gardening
program at annual conference MA Municipal Association
• 10 year celebration of Community Center Party
Michelle Kelleher, Senior Services Director
• 10 Year Anniversary September 12th
• Wellness Fair Community Center 9/25, Brookhaven runs
• Harvest Fest 10/18
Kelsey Rollins, Senior Services Coordinator
Registration fall programs 8/20; 3 fall trips; OWLL has 5 classes
Liaison Reports
Minuteman Senior Services, Sudhir Jain away no updates
Transportation Sudhir
FCOA Sudhir
Lexington Housing Authority- Sue Rockwell
• Housing Summit 7/16 Everyone interested in housing met to
discuss communication among the entities to improve working
together towards common goals
Disability Commission -Janet Perry
• Brief July mtg, no votes
• Janet brought concerns re visibility of rotaries/round abouts to
chair, will f/u
Housing Partnership - John Zhao
• John did not join HPB board mtg; Selectboard held 7/16 Housing Summit
Mental Health & Wellness Task Force — Ellen Cameron, Jyotsna
Kakullavarapu. Effort underway to set up again after Covid
Vision for Lexington Jyotsna Kakullavarapu-no updates
Lexington Center Committee -Janet Perry we will discuss in September
Strategic Equity Advisory Team (SEAT) - Ellen Cameron
Vineeta stated new town manager will oversee the town's equity initiative
overall. Responsibilities of previous Chief Equity Officer will be shared by
HR and Human Services of Town.
• Liason open roles will be discussed at next COA meeting
The COA meeting was Adjourned at 3:58 PM.
Next meeting September 3, 2025, Hybrid, Community Center, 2:30-4PM.
Bonnie Teitleman Levin