HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-23-COA-min (Age Friendly Subcommittee)Minutes
Lexington Age Friendly Subcommittee
June 23, 2026
Online, 3-4 pm
Present: Julie -Ann Shapiro (COA co-chair), Ellen Cameron, Sudhir Jain, Bonnie Titleman-Levin,
Sandra Hackman, Dana Bickelman (human services director, arrived late)
Julie called the meeting to order at 3:04 pm and called the roll.
Updates
She noted that the new trash system would be moving forward given that the No vote on the
proposal to charge for excess trash did not receive the required support of 20 percent of town
voters, although a majority of those voting did oppose the idea. COA member Sue Rockwell and
Sandra met with Maggie Peard to discuss senior needs regarding the new barrels that will be
distributed for automated pickup.
Ellen reported that the Municipal Vulnerability Program task force has completed its work after
choosing a state -funded project to pursue.
Transportation
Decisions on closing the emergency transportation gap for seniors will need to wait for the
arrival of the new transportation manager. Meanwhile Sudhir noted that Lexington used to
require developers to provide Lexpress passes to residents of multifamily housing every year.
He suggests asking the Development Review Team to request such a commitment again from
developers of new housing.
Housin
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Sandra reported that John and she had met with Nanette, new chair of the Housing Partnership
Board, to talk about sending a letter to the Select Board suggesting senior housing in the RFP it
may release for housing on Vine St. In fact, such a letter could suggest that any housing
proposals point to the need for senior housing.
Participants agreed that residents are open to more housing in Lexington Center, given
storefront vacancies and the need for foot traffic. Such housing could serve seniors.
One challenge is that the COA does not have a liaison to the Center Committee, which meets in
person 8:30-10 am on the second Thursday of the month. Ellen suggested that COA members
share that assignment, as COA representation at those meetings is important.
Dana expressed a willingness to investigate how best to move ahead with an application for a
state grant to fund home health and safety repairs for low-income seniors. Such a grant would
help them remain in their homes while also preserving existing housing.
Parking Passes
Dana noted that a resident has emailed the town manager asking why the town requires seniors
to renew their parking passes every two years. Julie reported that the police chief would like to
meet with senior services director Michelle Kelleher before signing off on the idea of eliminating
pass renewal, as the COA is requesting.
New Program
Sudhir is concerned that some seniors remain isolated and do not have social connections. He
proposes that senior services and the COA create a Lexington Senior Connect program, to
ensure that no senior feels isolated or unaware of town services and programs.
He envisions trained ambassadors contacting new seniors to inform them of such services,
perhaps accompanying them to programs of their choice. Such an effort would fulfill four of
AARP's domains of a senior -friendly community, including social participation, respect and
social inclusion, civic participation and employment, and communication and
information.
One model might be Boston's Age Strong Commission. Julie expressed strong support for the
idea. Ellen said it reminds her of Lexington's Neighbor to Neighbor postcard program 2020 to
2022.
Adjourn
Julie will schedule the next Age Friendly meeting in August, as the subcommittee will not meet
in July. She adjourned the meeting at 3:58 after a rollcall vote moved by Ellen and seconded by
Sudhir.
Sandra Hackman