HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02-04-COA-min
Town of Lexington Council on Aging Board Meeting
February 4, 2026
COA-Sudhir Jain, Sue Rockwell, Bonnie Teitleman-Levin, Janet
Perry, Ellen Cameron, Sandra Hackman,Julie Barker, John Zhao,
Julie Ann Shapiro,Jyotsna Kakullavarapu, Charles James
Staff-Michelle Kelleher, Kelsey Rollins, Dana Bickelman, Christine
Dean
John Zhao called hybrid meeting to order at 2:32 PM, took
attendance, Board reviewed and approved January minutes.
No public comments
Announcements:
Julie Ann attended two planning meetings for the Senior Dance
with representatives from the Lions Club, the Lexington Rotary
club,, and the friends of the COA. The event will be held at
Revolution Hall on McGuire Road in Lexington on October 4,
2026.
Susan Barrett, transportation manager, has resigned, search
for new person
15 hour community coordinator has been hired
New Business
Kate DeAngelis, therapeutic recreation specialist, introduced
Sunflower, an online resource guide to help people with hidden
disabilities. Lexington human services and municipal
employees being trained
Staff Reports
Christine Dean
Summer camp registration open 2/3, other programs 3/10
Community Center mtg for field design when old Harrington
Street building on Maple Street removed
Photo exhibit at Community Center
Michelle Kelleher, Senior Services Director
50 people made tax help appts
Let’s Walk Together (Lincoln, Belmont)
Newsletter mailed, registration open 3/18
Kelsey Rollins, Senior Services Coordinator
Regis students presenting Health and Wellness program 2/23-
5/4
Dana Bickelman, Director
Meeting with Selectboard re: goals for town: downtown vibrancy,
parking, affordability,DEI
AgeFriendly Subcommittee Update
Brief new definition of what it does unanimously approved
“On the Road” meet and greets at 3 senior villages and
Waterstone, Brookhaven.Housing Action-COA members Julie B
and Charles to coordinate
Sandra Hackman’s list of housing action items. She is attending
HPB w/list, COA will collaborate with HPB re affordability,
accessibility.
On housing action, change to Age Friendly minutes
Vote unanimously approved on Sandra’s action plan
Liason Reports
Minuteman Senior Services Sudhir Jain- announced strategic
planning committee - action-oriented process to help with grants,
challenges, risks on state and local level. Looking ahead five years.
Will be a six-month committee.
o Fundraising - $423 raised so far (July – December).
o Bereavement support group – with Lexington Human
Services and Beth Israel.
o Understanding Memory - Dementia program
o Money Management Program –program of trained,
insured volunteers to help older people maintain
independence by organizing, paying bills
Transportation – Sudhir Jain Lexpress route changes to address 5%
ridership increase. Susan Barrett is leaving, new search
FCOA Sudhir– Fundraising 12k to date. Thank you letters going out.
400 copies of Lifetimes printed at $640.
Commission on Disablity –Janet Perry- to help Lexington employers
interview and hire qualified residents with disabilities. Another survey
of Lexington employers is being undertaken on how to interview for
jobs. They are slow in responding/returning surveys.
Housing Sue Rockwell– no January meeting.
nd
Vision for Lexington – 2 month in a row they forgot to send John Z.
the invite, but minutes reflect that they discussed Diversity and
Inclusion. They are requesting 75k for a townwide survey. Discussed
ADUs and taxes.
Mental Health – Ellen Cameron, Jyotsna Kakullavarapu, CCI training
with the Director of Counselling.
Center Committee – will wait to hear from Jyotsna re: whether she
will become the liaison.
*Note that we need to review the action plan for COA – consider next
steps and priorities that were suggested by board members. We
need to compile a full list from the suggestions made.
Next meeting April 1, 2025, Hybrid, Community Center, 2:30-4PM.
Bonnie Teitleman Levin
Julie Ann Shapiro