2002-04-08 Council on Aging Minutes

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Council on Aging April 8, 2002 Senior Center Reading, MA 01867 J. MASS. L. ~ ; 21 12: S2 Present: Dick Anderson, Barbara Powers, John O'Neill, Betty Cronin, Ed Merullo, Ray Cabot, Joanne O'Brien, Gay Williams, Pamela Brown (Director). Absent: Edwina Kasper, Dottye Foxon • Betty Cronin called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. • The minutes of March's meeting were approved (motion by John O'Neill, second by Joanne O'Brien). • Pamela reviewed the Financial Report. She pointed out that the negative amount related to the coordinator of volunteers (see dept. 541) would be covered by the formula grant ($20K in dept. 543). The grant money will be distributed to several areas including the coordinator of volunteers and the shopping coordinator. The expenditures noted in dept. 547 of $2.8K include $1450 that were originally reported into the COA donations and actually belonged to Human Service donations (from Christmas time). Pamela commented that she expects to have more property tax hours utilized now that the compost center is open again. The report was accepted, motion by Ed Merullo, second by Dick Anderson. • Highlights of the Administrator's Report for March were reviewed. • The St. Patrick's Day luncheon was very successful with a large turnout, including Peter as well as several COA board members. • The Ham and Bean Dinner sponsored by the Police Department was a huge success with over 70 people attending. • Pamela reported that the coordinator of the Alzheimer's support group is retiring - a party was being held across the hall this same evening. • Staff members had participated in some STAR training. STAR is a database that many COAs use to track participation in events, etc. • Regarding the Computer Room, Pamela reported that Steve Oston had completed conducting the second excel session. She will send out evaluation forms. Steve has graciously said he would be available for class instruction this summer. Pamela continues to follow up with a representative at TASC regarding possible volunteer activities. Brian Charleton of the Carroll Center (visually impaired services) has been contacted after numerous attempts. Pamela will talk to him again on April 29th - the Carroll Center is hoping to receive some grant money that would make it more likely that they could work with us. High school mentors are still working two days a week - Pamela will ask Sue Reardon to find out if we will have support in this area in the summer. • We discussed the monthly newsletter, the Ramblings. The board moved to accept the new format of the newsletter with a couple of modifications on the page noting health and support activities. Pamela will announce a name contest in advance of the May issue, which will be produced in the new format. The plan is to have a new name for the mailing of the June issue to all seniors in town. The winning name will