HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-06-COA-min Town of Lexington Council on Aging Board Meeting
May 6,2020
2:30-3:44M
Zoom Video Conference
Present: Bonnie Teitleman, Ellen Cameron, Betty Borghesani,Julie-Ann Shapiro,John Zhao, Sudhir Jain,
Sandra Shaw,Jyotsna Kakullavarapu, Gerry Howell
Staff: Michelle Kelleher, Hemali Shah, Melissa Interess,Sharon Gunda, Christine Dean, Suzie Barry
Public Comments: None
Approval of March minutes (no meeting in April due to pandemic)
Staff Reports:
Melissa Interess, Director of Human Services
• Human Services working hard to get and keep seniors connected, outreach on services available
• 15-20 applicants for financial assistance to families, apps reviewed for approval
• Updating website to provide most up to date information
• Discussing phased re-opening of Community Center, return of staff
Michelle Kelleher, Senior Services Coordinator
• Transition to virtual programming with pandemic including support and discussion groups via
Zoom
• May events: Coffee with Kelly, economic talk, and many more. Help is available on how to use
zoom and join programs from Intergenerational Outreach Club
• May newsletter via email,June newsletter by mail
Christine Dean, Community Center
• New chiller installed and adjusted
• Garden Club assisting planting community garden with social distancing
• Most staff working remotely; bi-weekly meetings to share, check on morale
• Needs assessment surveys to be mailed,will present findings in June
• Programming on YouTube now free, thanks to Dana Home grant and Judy Whitney
• Working with colleagues across state to plan re-opening, summer programs, pool, etc
• Seniors being called for birthdays
Hemali Shah,Assistant Director
• Minuteman Senior Services continuing to provide meals on wheels and additional frozen meals
• Discussing programming and reopening of senior services with other COA directors
Sharon Gunda, Outreach Coordinator
• May is_mental health month, Screen to end Stigma survey available to all at Lexington.
https://www.lexin toy nma.gov/mental-health-task-force%a es/may-mental-health-month
• Zoom film and panel discussion on Living with Mental Illness 5/19 at 4:30PM
Age Friendly Initiative
Julie Ann Shapiro will present report and recommendations for action to Select Board 5/18/20.
Suzie Barry recommended that the presentation be concrete with timelines and actionable items. Group
will revise memo to meet these specifications prior to Select Board meeting.
Liason Reports(sparse b/c many groups not met due to pandemic)
Minuteman Senior Services: Diana Bishop MMSS received $500,000 from Cares Too Act, $350,000 from
state relief, $800,000 from Payroll Protection for staff, no furloughs
Ongoing activities down due to pandemic;focus on food and nutrition; seniors reconsidering move to
congregate housing b/c of COVID-19
Transportation:Sudhir Jain Transportation only essential services; one Lexpress bus, if crowded, go to
Lex Connect. Practicing social distancing,frequent cleaning, masks. No shared rides unless from same
home. Volunteer rides suspended.
Vision 20/20 Jyotsna Kakullavarapu 4/2 7-9PM Future Panel-Challenges and Opportunities for
Lexington. 100 attended via Zoom
Next meeting of COA :June 3, 2020 2:30 PM