2022-01-26 Council on Aging Minutes

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TOECEIVED WN CLERK • Town ogtg READING, MA. Minutes Meeting Minutes 121k. 2023 JAN -9 AM 11: 21 Board — Committee - Commission —Council: Date: 2022-01-26 Time: 7:00pm Purpose: Joint meeting of Council on Aging and Reading Center for Active Living Committee Location: Zoom Meeting Members Present: Jacquelyn Behenna, loan Coco, Karen Pinette, Sandra Shaffer, Marilyn Shapleigh, Nancy Ziemlak, Debbie Small, John Parsons, Karen Fotino Others Present: Mark Dockser, Kevin Bohmiller, Amy O'Brien, John ONeill; Michael Coltman; Ron Assini; John Parsons; John Sasso, John Parsons Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: Nancy Ziemlak Meeting called to order at 7:07 pm John O'Neill read the charge of the ReCalc to begin the meeting and bring the Reading COA up to date on the charge. The ReCalc members agree that the current Senior Center is inadequate to meet the needs of the of the over 60 community. The ReCalc minutes were reviewed including the list of needs generated at the last meeting. Marilyn S made a suggestion to add to the list: • Handicap space internal • More parking space for Handicap (two not enough) Location Discussion: Michael Coltman's question to the COA was, is the location of downtown important for a new center? Nancy Ziemlak: There are 7000 Seniors in Reading, are we reaching the all the seniors? The location in the center of town is nice for surrounding shopping. Joan Coco—An out-of-town center is not attractive because we may have to do more transportation. It was suggested that it should have the data to create a map showing where Reading seniors are living in relation to the current Senior Center and possible other locations. Limitation Discussion: Marilynn Shapleigh: • Visited Lynnfield, Wilmington Senior Centers. Many of them are not located in the downtown are but some of them have bus service to get to the location. • Another shortcoming is the lack of a real kitchen (i.e.Lynnfield has its own Chef.) Meals create a social environment that supports community building. • When seniors are taking care of others that can't be left unattended could the senior center support a short- term drop off so that they can participate in an exercise program, tax assistance, class, etc. Some gyms for instance make short term childcare available. • Handicap accessible Bathrooms are required on all floors.