2020-06-11 Council on Aging Minutes

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Town of Reading K E CE IV E u Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK PEA''',iN , N3A. r N21 APR 23 AM 10; 32 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Council on Aging Date: 2020-06-11 Time: 10:00 AM Building: Location: Address: Session: Purpose: Version: Attendees: Members - Present: Barbara Carney (Associate Member), Joan Coco, lolyn Ek, Margaret Havey, Sally Hoyt, John Parsons, Pooja Parsons (Associate Member), Karen Pinette (Associate Member), Thomas Procopio, Sandy Shaffer, Marilyn Shapleigh, Debby Small Members - Not Present: Others Present: Kevin Bohmiller, Mark Dockser, Steven Osten, Maria Puglielli, Kerry Valle Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Marilyn Shapleigh Topics of Discussion: Note: Meeting was conducted via a Zoom video conference call (Open Session - Remote Meeting). Call to Order by Thomas Procopio at 10:06 a.m. Committee Re-organization (elect new chair/vice chair): Due to Brian Snell's relocation to a new home outside of Reading, committee re-organization is required. For the position of Chair, John Parsons nominated Thomas Procopio; Sandy Shaffer seconded. Council members voted unanimously in favor of electing Thomas Procopio as the new Chair. This created an open Vice Chair position. Thomas Procopio nominated John Parsons for Vice Chair; Jolyn Ek seconded. Council members voted unanimously in favor of electing John Parsons as the new Vice Chair. Update from Mark Dockser(Chair of the Select Board): Mark Dockser reported that the Select Board is looking at priorities for spending as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Board is focusing on community needs and issues and wants the voice of the Council on Aging to be reflected since residents who are 60+ years old make up a very large proportion of Reading's population. Concerns include examination of town buildings and potential modifications required to ensure safety. Discussion addressed concerns about availability of space to provide services now not offered at the Pleasant Street Center due to its closing, such as an air-conditioned environment, a location where blood pressure checks can be performed, etc. John Parsons explained that he had talked with Bob LeLacheur, Alyse Warren, and others about the importance of continuing to provide blood pressure checks to elderly residents who rely upon the town for this service. Kerry Valle suggested that automated cuffs could support self-monitoring and said that she would check with Alyse Warren about Medicare coverage. Mark Dockser suggested that perhaps CVS or Walgreen's might be approached for help with this. Page 1 1