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Town of Lexington Human Services Committee
Meeting Minutes – January 23, 2019
Attendees: Gail Fields (Co-Chair), Lea Gardner Elkin (Co-Chair), Kate Colburn (School
Committee) Bonnie Tenpas, Pam Joshi, Betty Borghesani, Helen Walsh, Melissa Interess
(Acting Director of Human Services Department, Assistant Director of Senior Services)
Gail called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM and everyone introduced themselves. Minutes
from November 28, 2018 were reviewed. The minutes were approved at the end of the
meeting when a quorum was reached.
Melissa provided an update on the Human Services Department:
Holiday Programs: 173 meals, 100 $75 TJ Maxx Gift Cards for kids
The department screened participants who they hadn’t met with in over a year to
ensure continued eligibility for holiday programs
Fuel assistance: ~25 applications through the department. Others are filling out
applications independently.
Outreach to those affected by the government shutdown, particularly SNAP and
WIC recipients and any Lexington residents who may be furloughed.
Age Friendly Community Designation
Melissa and Betty gave an overview of the Age Friendly project including the
upcoming March Forums (March 12 at 12:30 PM and March 25 at 6 PM) and
survey planned for the Spring.
Melissa and Pam provided updates about the CHNA Grant and Task Force. The
committee discussed the December advisory group meeting and subsequent advisory
group meetings. Pam provided an update on the identification & research group of the
task force. The committee discussed the timeline and next steps for the CHNA grant.
The committee discussed the implementation and marketing of INTERFACE Referral
Service. The INTERFACE Contract includes two community forums. The committee
discussed the potential for holding them in May and September.
Melissa provided an update on the department’s staffing. The interviews for the director
position are underway and the outreach social worker position is posted.
Next meeting is scheduled for February 27, 2019 at 7 PM at the Lexington Community
Center