HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-01-COA-minTown of Lexington Council on Aging Board Meeting
Date: October 1, 2025
Location: Community Center/ Hybrid
Time: 2:34 PM
COA-Sue Rockwell, Bonnie Teitleman-Levin, Janet Perry, Ellen Cameron, Julie
Ann Shapiro, Sandra Hackman, Virtual -Julie Barker, John Zhao, Vineeta Kumar
Staff -Michelle Kelleher, Kelsey Rollins, Dana Bickelman
Julie called hybrid meeting to order at 2:32 PM and took attendance
No public comments
September Meeting Minutes approved
New Business
Marrissa Zampino of Mystic River Watershed Association presented on Municipal
Preparedness Preparation (MVP 2.0) -state run small project for disaster, flooding
preparation, climate change and resilience. It includes core team plus
volunteers from 20 communities, looking for more volunteers. Would mean 1-5
hrs/wk for 1 year. Let her know if interested.
Vote on changes to COA Charge: All vote in favor
Staff Reports
Michelle Kelleher, Senior Services Director
Understanding Memory by Dr Elizabeth Vassey 10/7 22-4PM talk and
snacks
October Fest 10/18 11-1 PM
Kelsey Rollins, Senior Services Coordinator
• Diwali 10/4 celebration at Community Center 10AM-1 PM
• Bingo 2x mo, looking for COA volunteers to supplement sr management
callers
Seniorgraphed interviews 10/10 sign-up
• Trips: October Turkey Dinner Train, November Providence Little Italy
Dana Bickelman, Director
COA charge update changes only name after review by town counsel,
now Office of Aging and Independence. She and Sue Rockwell will attend
Selectboard mtg 10/6 to review process and present change. Vaneeta will
check ahead w/Selectboard.
• Town terminating Interface, the mental health referral service. Human
Services will assume and expand that function internally. Cost vs
utilization.
Age Friendly (AF) Update
Julie attended AARP webinar on why COAs matter
Julie will review UMass update on Age Friendly 2025
Transportation update and discussion
Sudhir has good stats, will get more
Recruit more FISH volunteers and promote service
o 50-60 rides/mo could do 80-90, lost drivers pandemic
Uber, Lyft trainings planned
Meeting scheduled with Susan Barrett to brainstorm on transportation
10/29
Liaison Reports
Minuteman Senior Services, Sudhir Jain received Certificate of
Appreciation for 3 yrs of service
Government shutdown won't affect services, perhaps MOW later
Joan Butler Independent Living Fund -financial assistance to residents with
unexpected hardships: housing, meds, food.
FCOA Sudhir
Planning with Lion's Club (Janet)a senior prom for 10/26 at local venue,
Julie and Bonnie volunteering to hep
Lexington Housing Authority- Sue Rockwell
• New budget
Disability Commission (DC) -Janet Perry. Complaint from disabled
resident who felt discriminated against by a business, DC offer trainings;
Reaching out to town re: rotaries lack of contrast is hard to see
Housing Partnership (HP) — Sandra Hackman
• Housing goals: Make Lexington Center d/a and older persons friendly,
10% affordable housing (now 5%, Avalon rentals do not count) , 500 units
for diverse residents in next 10 yrs.
• Sue expressed concern re: how much town can absorb so quicky.
• COA will discuss our positions personally and as a town committee about
housing goals next month
Mental Health & Wellness Task Force — Ellen Cameron assist with
developing internal referral service
Vision for Lexington Jyotsna Kakullavarapu-no updates
Lexington Center Committee -open, Julie will email Jerry Michaelson
re -meetings which are 7:45 AM Fridays
Strategic Equity Advisory Team (SEAT) - Ellen Cameron no update
The COA meeting was Adjourned at 3:58 PM.
Next meeting November 5, 2025, Hybrid, Community Center, 2:30-4PM.
Bonnie Teitleman Levin