HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-20-HSC-minHuman Services Committee
Board Meeting Notes: September Meeting, 9/20/11
Members Present: Ellen McDonald, Stephanie Lawrence, Barbara Ciampa, Mimi
Ballard, Norm Cohen ( Selectman Representative), Gail Fields,
Charlotte Rodgers ( HSD Director), Emily Lavine ( HSD), Lea Gardner Elkin, Chair
The meeting came to order. Charlotte reported on the changes in the transit and the Lex
Press operations. The operational piece of Lexington transit will be under the direction
of the HSD since the HSD `deals with people'. The restructuring will require the hiring of
a new management position. Duties will include the management of the Lex Press
contract, the new point to point contract ( work of the HSD and COA to provide point to
point services for seniors), and laison with the school department. ( 60% of the usage of
Lexpress is students.) The focus of this position will be coordination. This person will be
located in the town office building. The position is a 28 hour /week one and will titled
`Transportation Manager'.
Charlotte went on to discuss the connection that transportation holds with the human
service needs of the community. The use of public transit by students makes the
connection to LHS great. Lexington is also seeing an increase in the senior population.
And we are seeing empty buses. Again, coordination will be key.
Charlotte also went on to explain the point to point service. Currently, the program
provides transportation from senior housing to the senior center. The HSD will be
starting a point to point taxi program that will eventually blend with the transportation
program.
The town has hired a new Veteran's Services Operator, Joe Alfonse. He is a teacher
with military experience. He is also a Lexington resident. He will be available 24/7 with
office hours on Wed. evenings and Thursdays. We will still receive some support from
the Woburn office until he is `at full speed' with the job. Currently there are 1200
declared vets who reside in Lexington. Joe has already been doing outreach in the
community. He is hired as a salaried position with available hours of town hall operation.
He will continue to have backup throught the HSD staff.There will be a meet - and -greet
on Oct. 18 at 1:30 at the HSD, Muzzey St. Please come and welcome Joe.
There was a discussion on the Muzzey S.C. Study. This was authorized by the town
manager in 2009, as a life safety study. It was presented to the Selectmen this
September as part of the facilities department study. The study is recommending
improvements costing $955,444, plus $200,000 for fire improvements. The HSD is
requesting $82,000. Please see report.
The Selectmen have recommended putting in a place holder for next year's budget.
Gail and Stephanie spoke about the Community Center Committee. They are currently
seeking focus group members. They have had presentation by various groups in town
for their needs, including the Library, Recreation Dept., etc. It is clear that the Library is
being over - utilized in space needs by outside meetings.
The League of Women Voters and the HSD is sponsoring and evening of coffee and
conversation, Tuesday, Sept 27, to look at the community as a whole - becoming more
engaged in and getting more support for the community.
We also had an update about the HSD brochure. Gail, Stephanie, and Emily discussed
how ours will be based on Lincoln's brochure and will address the Emergency
Assistance Fund. The goal of the brochure is to answer questions for both applicants
and donors. It is also to market and do outreach to increase donations. It is currently
going to the HSD for approval. Gail has located a printer, Lexington Graphics. This is a
connected fund to the Fund for Lexington, but specifically for emergencies. The
committee will send a prototype
The meeting was adjourned at 9pm.