The company managing a senior living facility in Lexington has dropped plans to begin charging tenants for meals. That’s according to Beth O’ Donnell, president of The Lafayette’s residents’ council. The decision by The Phoenix Group follows a November residents meeting at which a company chef defended the proposal.
“I think they realized that we were taking this very seriously and my impression was that they had not expected that, and so I think they were a little surprised and perhaps educated by it.”
Many tenants said their lease includes free meals and O’ Donnell said threats by several to move out if The Phoenix Group didn’t back off likely had an impact.
“There was talk about various options to make known to Phoenix, our strong feelings on this and some people did talk about moving out, or perhaps, you know, perhaps not renewing their lease.”
Shortly after the November tenants meeting, The Phoenix Group backed off a plan to allow non-residents to use The Lafayette’s dining facilities. O Donnell also credited the work of City Councilmember Jennifer Reynolds and media attention for the company’s about-face.
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