2004-12-13 Council on Aging Minutes

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i "E NG, MASS. December 13, 2004 2005 JUN I I 10*- 3 1 Council on Aging Meeting at the Reading Senior Center 49 Pleasant Street, Reading, Ma 01867 Present: Richard Anderson, Betty Cronin, Dottye Foxon, Sally Hoyt, Edwina Kasper, Kristin Kinsella, Carol Patterson, Barbara Powers, Carole Scrima, Ruth Goldberg and Richard Cardillo, Interim. Administrator Betty Cronin called the meeting to order at 6:34. • Minutes of the November meeting accepted. - motion by Dottye, 2nd by Sally • Richard presented his November Administrator's Report. • Discussed ways to get more people involved in our programs and increase daily meal attendance. Will look into increasing publicity in the local papers, the Chronicle and the Advocate. The Special meals are usually sold out. Dottye suggested a piano player for sing-a-longs - or to play once a week during mealtime. Will try the music department at the high school for help. + Financial Report - Richard reported the budget is in good shape. There is a good chance Reading will get the 14 passenger van, all equipped, from the state grant. We pay $10,000 - $11,000 for our share from the Burbank Trust. Sally wanted to make sure the van would be able to go out of Reading and perhaps take people to Boston for legislative meetings. + Adopt-a-Family helped 52 families at Thanksgiving and will help , 6 families at Christmas with a complete meal and gifts for the children. • New Business - Richard passed out State Ethics Commission Bulletin. Mystic Valley Elder Services will be starting a new program, They will provide grant money to towns to recruit volunteers to act as "Friendly. Visitors" under the direction of a MVES Social Worker, Discussed whether Community Parish Nursing's objectives would duplicate this programs. * The Board agreed to mail Pleasantries three times a year instead of four. • Dick reported on the MVES Independence Fund. MVES is planning a fundraising to help people who are just a little over the Medicaid limit. They want to raise $500,000 and put it into a trust and spend about $25,000 per year on this program. Chances of Reading elders getting any of this money are very slim. • Dick talked about the Community Choice Program for those eligible for Nursing Home care who would rather stay in their home with services than go into a home. • Dottye.gave her report as an ad hoc member of the Hospital Committee ( Peter, George from the Fin Com, and various members of the community are members of this committee to determine if Reading needs a hospital or