2008-02-11 Council on Aging Minutes

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RECEIVED TOWN CLERK Ri.._IO1 ` D MASS. 2000 DEC 2b P 3 30 Present: Carol Patterson, Barbara Powers, Sally Hoyt, Edwina Kasper, Steve Oston, Marguerite Bosnian, Dawn Folopoulos (staff), Paula Koppel (guest speaker). Excused absence: Carole Scrima, Ruth Goldberg, Stacey Bertocchi, Margaret Havey, Charlie McDonald (associate member), Meeting called to order at 6:33 PM. Minutes approved for the December 10, 2007 meeting Guest speaker: Paula Koppel Paula described the motivations, goals and benefits for the upcoming (02/27/2008) Reading World Cafe at the RMLD Field House. She encouraged COA members to attend to represent the senior citizens' point of view in this inclusive community dialog on the future of Reading. Handouts were provided with further information on discussion topics and registration procedures. Paula also requested that the COA formally endorse the Reading World Cafe, as have many other local organizations. Steve Oston so moved. Sally Hoyt seconded. The motion was approved 4-0-2. Administrator's Report was accepted. Dawn will mail completed January statistic to COA members. Staff is preparing the annual report. Scope of the new Nurse Advocate position is still being fine tuned on a case-by-case basis. Financial Report was accepted. Dawn requested that the artificial Christmas tree at the Senior Center be replaced by a smaller, more user-friendly version at a cost of $195.45, to be taken from the Burbank Trust account. A motion was made by Barbara Powers and seconded by Marguerite Bosnian to approve this purchase. The motion was approved by a 6-0-0 vote. Dawn asked permission for Elder Services to continue to advertise in the Reading Recreation Magazine at a cost of $165 per issue for a full-page ad (up $15 from last year). There are 3 issues per year. A discussion on the cost/benefits of the expense took place. Sally Hoyt moved to accept the expenditure, seconded by Barbara Powers. The vote was 6-0-0 in favor. Old Business: Letters of thanks were read for Christmas meal deliveries by COA members. Name tags should be worn at COA meetings. Two members do not have tags; this will be addressed shortly. The issue of a chef for the Senior Center was researched by staff and found to require major renovations of the kitchen, including new appliances and structural modifications. Costs of such a venture were deemed unaffordable at present. Discussion will continue after Ruth Goldberg returns from vacation. Council on Aging Board Meeting Monday, February 11, 2008 Reading Senior Center--Game Room