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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-18-COA-minCouncil on Aging Meeting, Thursday, January 18, 2007 3:300 pm Attending were: Betty Borghesani Bob Edwards Dan Fenn Nick Santosuosso Leo McSweeney Jane Pagett Marian Cohen, Chair Lauren McSweeney, Director of Social Services Shirley Buck, COA Liaison to LexSA Jim Goell, LexSA John Fedorochko, LexSA Hope Place, LexSA Tom Griffiths, School Committee Liaison Barbara Ciampa, Minuteman Senior Services Liaison 1. Minutes of Previous Meetings Minutes of November and December Meetings reviewed and accepted as is. 2. Discussion of Social Services budget proposal for 2008 There was a detailed review and discussion of the budget submitted by Lauren, including some minor revisions made by Carl Valente. (For example, the figures used for wages in 2007 budget were proposed, not actual. When actual figures inserted, the % difference in wages for 2008 is significantly lower.) Proposed budget maintains same level of service with no cuts. The newly proposed community outreach worker position was not put forward in the Town Manager's recommended budget to the Board of Selectmen. Without a final decision as to whether or not there will be an operating override, next steps will be to identify possible reductions to the budget. Eliminating a portion of the Town contribution to the Supportive Day Care budget will be a way to cut Social Services costs. Discussion of $30,000 still provided by town for costs of Adult Day Care. Lauren anticipates recouping $15,000 of that by increasing fees for service: Daily fee Lexington residents Increase from $31 to $32 /day Non- residents $33 to $35 /day Transportation Lexington residents Increase from $8 to $9 each way Non - residents Remains the same at $14.30 each way There may be some cut -backs in attendance with increase in fees, but it is anticipated that with time attendance will increase, Some clients receive benefits from Minuteman Senior Services, A question was asked about whether daily use of the Senior Center has increased. Lauren did not have these figures on hand, but will get back to the board with that information. The figures presented will be estimates.. The contract has been signed with My Senior Center, the service that will allow tracking of attendance at center and at different activities. Installation will be $12,000, cost of yearly service is $1000. Installation has begun and, hopefully, it will be up and running by late March. 3. Discussion of status of site for Senior Center Tom Griffith reviewed possible scenarios as a result of release of the White House by the School Department. Schools will move offices to old Harrington school. If they have use of space at Hastings school for swing space and school facilities can move to DPW, then there will be room at old Harrington to house both Senior Center and school administration. However, school projections for number of students more than two years out, which affects space in Hastings, are very difficult to do accurately. School department will not know if they have space at Harrington for Senior Center for several years. Another issue with Harrington is lack of central air - conditioning for summer use of auditorium. Although the White, House is a good location, he foresees several problems: Parking Site doesn't meet proposed needs Could run shuttle to Muzzey lot, but then operating costs Opposition Neighbors will object to parking, loss of side yard as play space Cost Construction costs high, school was quoted $500 /square foot, Historic District Commission needs also increase cost, Small footprint means several stories, elevators, handicap access Farmer's market May object to being moved In spite of these issues and because availability of Harrington will not be known for several years, Tom recommends, and Dan Fenn agrees, we make proposal to Selectmen to go forward with preliminary study of the acceptability of the site for a senior center. Marian will plan to meet with Richard Pagett and another Selectman to discuss options. 4 Update on Meal Subcommittee Jane Pagett briefly reviewed work of committee to date. There Is consensus that the present food quality is unacceptable, transportation of cooked food from one site to another presents problems in quality, and that any changes in service cannot require more input from staff. Lauren has started a dialogue with Minute Man High School about the possibility of their incorporating catering into their food program and providing lunches. They have asked us for our'wish list'. The committee has drawn up a list of questions about the scope of lunch programs, quality of food, and business aspects of food programs to survey lunch programs provided by other towns. Data have been collected but still need to be analyzed. Next meeting: Thursday, February 8, 2007 at 3:30 P.M.