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Home My WebLink About2020-11-04-COA-min Town of Lexington Council on Aging Board Meeting November 4., 2020., 2020 2:35-4:05PM Zoom Video Conference Present: Bonnie Teitleman., Ellen Cameron., Betty Borghesani, Julie -Ann Shapiro, John Zhao, Sudhir Jain, Sandra Shaw, Rich McDonough, Gerry Howell., Diana Bishop, Bea Holland Staff: Michelle Kelleher., Hemali Shah, Suzie Barry, Melissa Interess, Christine Dean Betty Borghesani called the meeting to order, took attendance and read Charlie Baker's instructions on public meetings via Zoom. She took attendance. Public Comments: None Approval of October minutes with a minor correction Staff Reports: Michelle Kelleher, Senior Services Coordinator • Drive by Flu Clinic on 10/30 huge success with 102 seniors over the age of 75 attending • New MyRec software for community center will have two trainings for seniors and two community trainings • Michelle teaching 4 week memory training course to 14 participants w/Arlington RN for first time, will do again in spring 2021 • Thanksgiving Day grab and go 11/17 for 75 seniors • 30 Zoom classes on nutrition, economics, cooking and others have attracted increasing numbers of participants who have adapted to technology • Intergenerational group of students teaching seniors technology; Michelle receives request from a senior, then connects them with a student Hemali Shah, Assistant Director • Winter programs: Rotary Club to provide sand for seniors who qualify in collaboration with HS department. The Lions Club and Project Ezra to provide holiday meals, to those in need, for Thanksgiving and Christmas • 20 hour nurse position to be filled soon Melissa Interess, Director of Human Services • Sharon Gunda doing great job with new clients, special programming and finding speakers for the new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative • Praise to HS Staff who pivoted quickly and capably to technology platforms with pandemic Christine Dean, Community Center Director • New software MyRec being implemented • Planning winter virtual programming; many participants have financial credits from past courses canceled b/c of pandemic, which will be transferred to new software • Will not be sending out a brochure on winter programs b/c of budget constraints • Dana Home Grant deferred decision and made reduced award to support Forever Fit program Age Friendly Initiative Senior Parking Program • Betty and Julie-Ann met with parking management group regarding proposal. They did not make a decision as the group wanted more data on success of such program in other towns. Suzie Barry recommended that COA do a survey of neighboring communities who have a similar program so that Select Board will have more data to support. There was support from Police Chief who said the program would be easy to implement, however, having recommendation from PMG would be helpful. The plan is to conduct survey before meeting again the Parking Management Group. Last step would be to present the proposal to Select Board Commerce Program/ Shopping for Seniors: • John Zhao has list of local businesses on spread sheet, will send list out to COA members along with list of items to discuss with businesses • COA members will choose 8 businesses to contact; will ask how they can make their businesses easier for seniors to patronize o For example: call in, delivery, pick up, easy payment on phone or online, shopping for gifts; senior discounts, they will offer marketing and express appreciation to them • May offer publicity in Colonial Times and Sage; collaboration among Retailers' Association, COA, Chamber of Commerce and other town entities • Goal: Keep people out of stores but still buying and patronizing businesses • Deadline: November 2 for Colonial Times November., 12/1 for December • Will need to have ways to communicate discounts to seniors. • Please update Google spreadsheet with your info after you contact businesses New Business Kelly Axtell, Assistant Town Manager, is forming a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council with 20 members to offer perspective, consultation for broad participation in Lexington life. There will be 2-3 mtgs in November and December, then monthly thereafter. Ellen Cameron volunteered. Liaison Reports Minuteman Senior Services: Bea Holland reports that Diana Bishop has become assistant treasurer for MMSS. Arlington and Winchester have set up pen pal programs for kids to write to seniors. Recent annual mtg held over zoom. Transportation: Sudhir Jain — He discussed the Vision Zero program, which is being implemented by the City of Boston. The program looks at increasing public safety on the road, whether it is walking, biking, driving, cycling or on transit. FCCIA: Sudhir Jain — Transportation Manager had requested funds to support Lexpress. The committee requested more data before voting on proposal. Commission on Disability: Bonnie Teitleman- no meeting in October Human Services Committee: Betty Borghesani- No update Recreation Committee: Ellen Cameron — No update Lexington Housing: Camille Goodwin, no update Vision 20/20: Jyotsna Kakullavarapu -no update Housing Partnership: Rich McDonough - proposed zoning change for Hartwell Ave; 176 applicants for 6 units at Farmview Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee: Rich M no update Mental Health Task Force:-Ellen Cameron no update, meeting to be scheduled Lexington Center Committee-Sandra Shaw- will meet with parking management committee Next meeting of COA : December 2., 2020 2:30 -4PM via Zoom Submitted by Bonnie Teitleman