HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-04-COA-min Town of Lexington Council on Aging Board Meeting
Wednesday December 4, 2019
2:30-4:OOPM
Lexington Community Center
Present: Betty Borghesani, Bonnie Teitleman,Julie Ann Shapiro, Sandra Shaw, Gerry Howell,
Sudhir Jain, Rich McDouough, Ellen Cameron,John Zhao, Suzie Barry
Staff:, Hemali Shah, Christine Dean, Melissa Interess, Michelle Kelleher
Public Comments: None
Approval of November minutes
Staff Reports
Hemali Shah Assistant Director
Financial respite caregiver's program funded by Dana Home Foundation; one family member/caregiver
must be senior. Ellen Cameron will help publicize. Financial aid available for companionship, light
housekeeping, personal hygiene and/or adult day health.
Christine Dean Community Center
• Registration winter programs opened 12/2; classes start next week
• Citizen's Academy ongoing
Michelle Kelleher, Senior Services Coordinator
• Annual holiday sale Window Pane Shop 10-2PM through 12/21.
• Dance Caliente 12/5 1:00-2:30
• Uber/Lyft trainings by Lexington at Home, Mimecast Company volunteers helping with training
• Trip Boston Pops12/13
• Holiday lunch 12/17 with student volunteers
Melissa Interess, Director, Human Services
• Budget planning for FY 2020-21 was presented to Selectmen.The process after is to have final
budget from all departments taken to Town Meeting
• Suzie mentioned more about how the school and municipal budget work with Municipal
receiving 22%of the town budget and the schools the rest
Age Friendly Report
The board reviewed the PP submitted by UMass faculty Jan Mutchler and Sue Berger to discuss major
findings and brainstorm ways COA Board might offer suggestions to improve problem areas.
• Housing-there was interesting data on how many seniors needed assistance with home
modifications or maintenance. Perhaps the COA, HS Department or other departments can look
into funding ideas to assist those in need for repair/maintenance.
• Transportation-John Zhao investigated senior parking programs in neighboring towns and
suggested:
o Prepaid or designated spots for seniors
• Communication to seniors-needs improvement
o Suggestion: Invite Sean Duggan,town publicist,to COA meeting to discuss ways to
enhance communication to seniors
• Help Line for seniors not available, Help Around Town may help some seniors find resources
o Ellen C suggested registering seniors for Red Code
o Sandra S suggested putting important phone numbers on first page of SAGE
• Neighborliness-Julie Ann wondered if COA might
Plan: COA subgroup will meet and brainstorm further, then make recommendations and goals that will
accompany a brief presentation to Selectmen on Age-Friendly report by 2/20, 3/20.Julie Ann will
schedule by email.
Liason Reports
Minuteman Senior Services- Diana Bishop mentioned that MMSS has launched a quality assurance
program to better audit their system
Transportation-Sudhir Jain-discussion of electronic bus, proposed extension of bus route 77 to Lexington
Stop and Shop, want to reinstate route 69, $75,000 to extend Lexpress by 4 hours
FCOA-Sudhir Jain- Dan Fenn sent fund raising letter,winter journal to be published; president's term will
end, looking for new president;
Disability Commission-Bonnie Teitleman- reviewed accessibility, safety of new housing projects
Housing Partnership-Rich McDonough-approved 186 Bedford Street
Next COA meeting January 8, 2020 2:30PM Community Center
Respectfully submitted,
Bonnie Teitleman