HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-03-COA-min Town of Lexington Council on Aging Board Meeting
March 3, 2021
2:30-3: PM
Zoom Video Conference
Present: Bonnie Teitleman, Ellen Cameron, Betty Borghesani, Julie -Ann Shapiro, John Zhao,
SudhirJain, Sandra Shaw,Jyotsna Kakullavarapu, Camille Goodwin, Gerry Howell
Staff: Michelle Kelleher, Hemali Shah, Bea Holland, Melissa Interess, Christine Dean, Suzie
Barry, Diana Bishop
Betty Borghesani called the meeting to order, took attendance and read Charlie Baker's
instructions on public meetings via Zoom.
Public Comments: None
Approval of February minutes with one correction
Staff Reports:
Michelle Kelleher, Senior Services Coordinator
Grab n Go for St Patrick's Day pastrami sandwich, 70 registrants
• Art project
• Talk on covid scams 3/24 by Lexington police
• Purple Table Reservations exploring further, more info next month
Hemali Shah, Assistant Director
• Vaccine update: no further supplies to Town. 65 homebound seniors and 215 residents
have received vaccine
• Communication issue: Several people noted that they have not received vaccine
updates, Hemali explained sign up for town alerts and sent along link to do so
Melissa Interess, Director of Human Services
• Town event Talks: Impact of Racism on Asian Communities 3/11 6:30-8PM; Life on the
Autism Spectrum 4/12 6:30-8PM
Christine Dean, Community Center Director
• Spring summer programming progressing, registration opening 3/15
• February Fitness Trail on Lincoln Path, March Scavenger Hunt has 70 registrants
• Awaiting decision on Shared Space grant 3/26/21
Age Friendly Initiative
Updates:
Senior Parking Program
• Meetings with Selectboard, parking management and Center committees, still in
progress
Purple Table Reservations being explored
New Business-none
Liaison Reports
Minuteman Senior 25% cuts to state elder services, MMSS working with other area agencies to
increase. Suzie Barry suggested writing/contacting Michelle Ciccolo, State Representative
and/or Mike Barry or Cindy Friedman, State Senators to advocate for funding
Two legislative proposals: Establish personal care homes for seniors and pay for spousal
caretakers of seniors
Transportation-Sudhir Jain— Many groups overlap in transportation discussions so general
meeting w/sustainability, commission on disability, transportation advisory committee, COA
Discussion of single car occupancy for parking proposal program
FCOA-SudhirJain- no update
Commission on Disability-Bonnie Teitleman-further discussion of Full Inclusion Resolution;
presentation by Melissa Battite, Dir of Recreation and David Pinsonnault, Director of Public
Works on Shared Streets; presentation on building design by architect Andrew LaFosse on 20
Waltham street regarding application for MAAB variance
Human Services Committee-Betty Borghesani- Looking at police training, working policies, had
discussion w/police chief re: Black Lives Matter; police receptive and sensitive to community
concerns, discussed idea of social worker/mental health clinician on staff
Recreation Committee Ellen Cameron—some people unhappy with new playground planned
for Sutherland, it will have ADA walkways and a bench; Liberty Heights will sponsor a Storywalk
with the library; renovation at Rez bathhouse estimate $750,000 so on hold; citizen's snow
removal has damaged some recreation surfaces
Lexington Housing-Camille Goodwin no update
Vision for Lexington formerly Vision 20/20 Jyotsna Kakullavarapu -Please note new name:
Vision for Lexington met to discuss mental health initiatives; survey planned for late 2021
$50,000 requested from Town to administer
Housing Partnership- no update
Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee- Rich M — no update
Mental Health Task Force-Jyotsna -no update
Lexington Center Committee-Sandra Shaw- no update
Citizen's Advisory Committee-Ellen Cameron-staff will do selfie and video on what Diversity,
Equity and Inclusion means to them as project to increase awareness
Next meeting of COA : April 7, 20212:30 -4PM via Zoom
Submitted by Bonnie Teitleman