HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-03-COA-min Town of Lexington Council on Aging Board Meeting
June 3, 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, Camille Goodwin
Staff: Michelle Kelleher, Hemali Shah, Melissa Interess,Sharon Gunda, Christine Dean, Suzie Barry
Public Comments: Ellen C thanked Hemali and Melissa for their encouragement and positivity re: recent
letter about renewing membership in COA Board.
Approval of May minutes
Staff Reports:
Melissa Interess, Director of Human Services
• Bea Holland has replaced Gary Fallick as Minuteman Senior Services liaison. She asked COA how
MMSS can best support Lexington. Praise for MMSS board.
• Discussing phased re-opening of Community Center, return of staff 6/15 to 25%occupancy
Michelle Kelleher, Senior Services Coordinator
• May newsletter via email,June newsletter by mail
• High school students helping seniors w/Zoom
• New ideas: curbside lunch, ice cream
• Upcoming programs via Zoom:
o Elizabeth Chen, Sec Executive Office of Elder Affairs 6/24 10AM
o Blue Cross webinars
o Dietician,SHINE consults available, call for appointment
Christine Dean, Community Center
• Needs assessment continuing; survey sent out two weeks ago,will have online version
• Doing facility assessment w/DPW
• Program assessment matrix program 12-18 mos. With Human Services and Recreation, hope to
have recommendations 7/20.
• Successful spring with 200+ registrants for 9 fitness programs, 20-30 per class
• Summer session July/August, adding virtual classes able to reallocate funds from Dana Home
Grant to keep class cost low for participants
• Working with other entities, including Board of Health,for summer programs.
• Town and Hayden pool closed due to COVID-19; Reservoir closed due to remodeling
• LexRec website has guidelines for utilization of facilities (tennis, pickleball, etc)
• Staff gradually returning to work beginning 6/15
Hemali Shah,Assistant Director
• Michelle doing greatjob with Virtual programming popular via Zoom; many new seniors signing
up
• Interaction among senior service directors re: re-opening facilities
Age Friendly Initiative
• Julie Ann and working group met to follow up on Suzie Barry's recommendations from last
month to come up with specific action items to present to Select Board, still working on it. A
report of the suggestions was distributed to COA members. They will review and report their
recommendations to Julie Ann and Betty by 6/10/20.
• Camille noted that vans often park in the upper parking lot, she suggested they be directed to
lower lot so that seniors can access the building more easily.
Liason Reports(sparse b/c many groups not met due to pandemic)
Minuteman Senior Services: Diana Bishop and Bea Holland report unprecedented generosity from
corporate and community donations; much support for seniors
Transportation: Sudhir Jain Lexpress riders going through LexConnect; concern when businesses reopen
to handle needs with COVID-19
FCOA: Sudhir Jain-financial report done
Commission on Disability: Bonnie Teitleman- none
Human Services Committee: Betty Borghesani-none
Recreation Committee:Julie Ann Shapiro- Hayden pool closed,golf course open
Vision 20/20: Jyotsna Kakullavarapu no update
Lexington 4/Housing Authority: Camille Goodwin-no update
Housing Partnership: Rich McDonough none
Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee: Rich McDonough no update
Mental Health Task Force: Ellen Cameron no meetings
Lexington Center Committee-: Sandra Shaw no meetings
Next meeting of COA :July 1, 2020 at 2:30pm via Zoom
Submitted Bonnie Teitleman