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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-29-COA-min (Age Friendly Subcommittee) Age Friendly Meeting Lexington Council on Aging Date: April 29, 2026 Location: Online Time: 3 PM COA: Julie-Ann Shapiro (co-chair), John Zhao (co-chair), Ellen Cameron (vice chair), Bonnie Teitleman-Levin, Sudhir Jain, Sandra Hackman Staff: Senior services director Michelle Kelleher Julie called the meeting to order at 3.02 PM and took attendance. Ellen moved the minutes from the March Age Friendly meeting, and Bonnie seconded. The roll- call vote was unanimous. New Business Sandra reported on a meeting of John Zhao and herself with Elaine Tung, chair of the Affordable Housing Trust and Wendy Manz, chair of the Housing Partnership Board, to discuss senior housing. Elaine suggested that the COA consider pursuing a state grant used to fund safety and health repairs in homes owned by low-income seniors and disabled individuals. Lexington is eligible for the grant because the state has designated the Town as a Housing Choice community. The Town would need to outline the structure of any potential program, and the Building Department would need to be on board. The AHT would support the application and the funds would go through them. However, the trust does not have the capacity to take the lead in applying for the grant. Sandra asked whether human services director Dana Bickelman might spearhead that process. LIttleton has won such a grant and created a program. Michelle agreed to contact her counterpart in that town to find out more about applying and setting up the program. The application for this year is due June 1. The subcommittee noted that there is probably not enough time to make that deadline. However, it agreed to bring the idea to the full board at its next meeting. Meet and Greets Subcommittee members reported on their experiences meeting residents at various senior villages. Bonnie and Ellen fielded questions on transportation and human services at Countryside. Julie and John reported that Vine Brook is in great shape after renovations, although residents can hear their neighbors through the walls. Sandra reported that onsite health services at Greeley Village attracted a steady stream of Chinese residents, assisted by translators from the Chinese American Association of Lexington. Transportation Subcommittee members reported on their investigations into transportation services for seniors and others in area towns. The subcommittee will bring this info to the full COA and consider next steps in closing transportation gaps. Next Meeting The group agreed to meet again on May 19 at 3 PM. John moved to adjourn the meeting, and Sudhir seconded. It ended at 4:05 on a unanimous roll call vote.