HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-05-COA-min Town of Lexington Council on Aging Board Meeting
August 5, 2020
2:30-3:37 P M
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, Rich
McDonough
Staff: Michelle Kelleher, Hemali Shah, Christine Dean, Suzie Barry
Public Comments: None
Approval of July minutes
Staff Reports:
Michelle Kelleher, Senior Services Coordinator
• Building is staffed at 25% capacity with one-two staff member present every day to
provide phone coverage
• July 14 Grab and Go ice cream sundae 50 participants; students to make masks, which
will be provided to participants of August grab and go program
• Volunteers created rock garden behind Community Center with inspirational messages
on rocks. Community residents can pick up a rock or drop off a rock
• 98 people attended OWLL program, will be on Zoom for fall
• Registration for fall programs next week
Hemali Shah, Assistant Director
No senior centers open locally, all doing virtual programming along with a few outdoor classes
Christine Dean, Community Center
• No opening date for Center
• On 7/15 new track and field opened with COVID restrictions, positive reviews
• Virtual and in-person programs
• 4 wk% day camp program has 40 campers who rotate through activities w/masks,
COVID protocols
• Archery, badminton, sports resumed
• Planning for fall, not all instructors have returned. Registration opens for fall 8/30/20.
• Needs assessment is wrapping up. Will pull information together on how town can
collaborate to provide services and present to committee on 8/12 and Select Board on
9/14
Age Friendly Initiative
Working group focusing on 3 initiatives:
• Senior parking program policy and process to be distributed to full board for approval
after edits made by working group
• Senior specific Commerce-Board members will approach local businesses and ask them
if they can better accommodate seniors, for example, senior friendly shopping hours,
touch free shopping, suitable merchandise, etc.
• Postcards to be distributed to reach out to seniors. Hemali has them, will distribute to
library and other local places
New Business
None
Liason Reports (sparse b/c many groups not met due to pandemic)
Minuteman Senior Services- Bea Holland and Diana Biship described MMSS watching budget.
May roll back to Phase 2 if Baker mandates. Discussed individual board members strengths,
contributions
Transportation -Sudhir Jain - Lexpress service resuming with some minor changes in routes.
TAC and Select Board approved reduced fees for Lexpress. August will be free for all passengers
FCOA- Peter Holland, new FCOA president expressed enthusiasm for FCOA and new ideas for
fund raising.
Commission on Disability- Bonnie Teitleman- presentation by town engineer, public works
staff on sidewalk and business entrance grading. Discussed Special Ed students' needs during
COVID ; they will receive services on site. Reviewed disparity in disciplinary actions,
suspensions for Spec Ed and minority students
Human Services Committee - Betty Borghesani-none
Recreation Committee - Ellen Cameron -ongoing tennis, golf
Lexington Housing-Camille Goodwin, no updates
Vision 20/20 -Jyotsna Kakullavarapu -working on town communication plan; proposing new
names for the committee to reflect future planning orientation
Housing Partnership- Rich McDonough -
Nationally, House Emergency Rental Assistance bill
State-$20 million from Charlie Baker for low income, small business, delay evictions, extend
PHE; $110,000 allocated to LexHab for capital improvements
Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee - Rich M had volunteered to be liaison from COA, did
not hear back, will try again.
Mental Health Task Force - Ellen Cameron no meetings
Lexington Center Committee -Sandra Shaw reiterated that the 20 mph speed limit is for town
center, parking is free until 9/1/20
Next meeting of COA : September 2, 2020 2:30-4PM via Zoom
Submitted by Bonnie Teitleman