2021-12-13 ad Hoc - Reading Center for Active Living Community Minutes

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c Town of Reading REG L IV ED w Meeting MinutesTOWN E R K ifs �SwQ R E A D i n (: , MA. .INCO TO F-41- --- 2022 JAN 27 Phi 12: 36 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Reading Center for Active Living Committee Date: 2021-12-13 Time: 4:00 PM Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Location: Address: 49 Pleasant Street Session: Purpose: ReCalc Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Mark Dockser; John O'Neill; Michael Coltman; Ron Assini; John Parsons (remote); John Sasso (remote); Elizabeth (Betty) Walsh (remote) Members - Not Present: Others Present: Kevin Bohmiller; Jean Delios, Amy O'Brien Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jean Delios Topics of Discussion: Meeting called to order at 4:18 p.m. (after assisting one member with a technology issue) Dockser started the meeting off by asking if the group is okay with him taking the lead until a Chair is appointed. The group agreed with that approach. Dockser next advised of the plan to go around the room and introduce people and ask for their ideas. Then he planned to introduce Delios and Bohmiller. Dockser then provided a brief overview of the Open Meeting Law. He followed by a review of the mission and discussion of meeting times. Introductions: ReCalc Members - Dockser, a member of the SB and liaison to this group. He is interested'in focusing on the older population, the 60+ age group may not be as engaged in what happens at the PSC. He wants to understand the best practices used by other communities, wants public input on needs/thoughts on what we need as a community, wants to present some ideas, and get feedback from the public, and get guidance on how to move ahead with buildings, space, and how to move ahead short-term and long-term and work with the State delegation to possibly secure grants and pursue something at November 2022 Town Meeting. Coltman, a member of the Rec Committee for 4 or 5 years, a retired engineer (Federal Govt). He is very interested in the aging in place model. Needs of the vulnerable population are of concern. Wants age group of 20 - 60 to be involved so that they can be active in their later years. Public/private partnerships are of interest to achieve the goals. O'Neill, worked in the field of Aging, was a member of the Reading COA. Worked as the Director of Somerville/Cambridge Elder Services. He has a lot of exposure to programs. He is interested in exploring why most older people don't go to senior centers? He suggested that maybe one of the keys to attracting people is that it is identified as not just a Senior facility but more of a community space. He expressed concern over negative things going on in Town so the more activities Reading can offer the better to re -build a sense of community. He continued that there is a lot of expertise in this community that could be tapped, people with tremendous backgrounds. He expressed concerns over negative Page 1 1