HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-03-COA-min Town of Lexington Council on Aging Board Meeting
Wednesday,January 3, 2018
2:30pm to 3:35pm
Lexington Community Center, Dining Room#139
Present: Betty Borghesani (Co-chair),Julie Ann Shapiro (Co-chair), Ellen Cameron (Vice-chair),
Nancy Adler, Sophia Ho, Gerry Howell, Rich McDonough, Bonnie Teitleman.
Staff: Christine Dean (Community Center), Charlotte Rodgers (Human Services), Hemali Shah (Senior
Services)
Public Comments:
Ann Frymer gave a "shout out"to the Parkinson's monthly support group. She shared her experience
w/a family member and described how helpful it has been. 60 people typically attend the group.
Review of November Meeting Minutes:The December minutes were approved.
Sophia Ho reported that the holiday luncheon was excellent but meat was hard to cut. Charlotte
Rodgers will update menu for next year.
Bonnie Teitleman volunteered to be secretary, which elicited a grateful response from the Board.
Staff Reports:
Hemali Shah reported that AARP volunteers will be available to prepare taxes for seniors at no
charge.They will be on site Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9AM-4PM. People can call on
January 18 or later for an appointment.
Christine Dean reviewed the weather policies for the Community Center. Updates will be
available on the website by 613M.
There will be a selectman's meeting January 8 at 7:05 PM at the CC for a presentation on the
proposed CC expansion project.
Charlotte Rodgers reviewed details of how weather affects Community Center(CC) and
programs. The decision to close the CC is independent from schools. If closed, Lexpress,taxi
service and Meals on Wheels do not operate. Should people lose heat,the CC is not a
designated shelter, it is the high school.
New Business
• The Board is looking for suggestions of guest speakers for meetings and at meet&greets. Betty
and Julie Ann described a fascinating talk by the Water and Sewer people that explained the$80
surcharge.Topics suggested: stress, resilience for seniors, Stress Reduction, future housing
options for seniors, downsizing movers. Potential speakers can come from any department that
works with seniors.
• Anticipating the elections, Nancy Adler suggested having a candidate's forum/daytime coffee
around the end February inviting all the candidates.
• There are 2 board vacancies. Carl Valente welcomes diversity. Betty joined the Indian-American
group with Mr.Jain. Sophia described Lexington Friends, mostly Chinese from Acton, Andover.
Gary Fallick mentioned Lexington at Home.
Upcoming events:
• January 11 OWLL is presenting at the CC.
• January 13 2-4PM The FCOA is having a launch party at the Community Center to roll out the
FCOA Lexington LifeTimes Magazine. Wine and hors d'oeurves will be served.
• March 7 Meet &Greet with Michelle Ciccolo before the Board meeting of COA.
Liaison Reports:
Commission on Disability Bonnie reported that the last meeting included:
• Presentation of the new Children's Center by the architect and Facilities manager.
• Discussion of how tickets are given for violating handicapped parking regulations and the fees
coming to the Commission. Joe Pato proposed increasing the fee, which he will bring to the
Board of Selectmen.
Lexington Housing Partnership- Rich McDonough reported that the town now owns 4 subsidized
apartments that require income qualification.
Minuteman Senior Services-Gary Fallick reported that MMSS tries to anticipate bad weather and deliver
food to Meals on Wheels recipients ahead of time.
He presented information from FY17 MMSS report on Lexington.
• 3,000 residents used MMSS for caregiver support
• $2,600,000 for services to >3,000 residents.
• 200 Meals on Wheels recipients.
• $2,185,000 for care management and home care ( in home assessment, development of care
plan, referral to vendors)
• 272 residents received SHINE counseling
• 1140 info and referral calls
• 71 Protective Service reports filed
Meeting Adjourned 3:35 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Bonnie Teitleman
Secretary