2001-09-10 Council on Aging Minutes

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CLERK Council on Aging , MASS September 10, 2001 Town Hall''- v:a `"k CP cj 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 Present: Dottye Foxon, Ray Cabot, John O'Neill, Joanne O'Brien, Ed Merullo, Betty Cronin, Dick Anderson, Barbara Powers, Edwina Kasper, Gay Williams, Pamela Brown (Director) • Dottye Foxon called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. • The minutes of July's meeting were accepted unanimously. • Our newest member, John O'Neill was introduced. • Pamela reviewed the Financial Report - we believe the printed report to be for August, though it may not include the full month's expenditures. She will check into this and let us know. We need to acknowledge the $5000 donation from RMLD toward the computer room. It was moved by Ray and seconded by Joanne, that we purchase a plaque to recognize the Burbank Trust and the RMLD for equipping the computer room - leaving space for subsequent donations should they be made. Acceptance of the Finance report was moved by Betty Cronin and seconded by Barbara Powers; a unanimous vote followed. • Pamela spoke regarding the July and August activity reports and highlighted the following: • We are fortunate to have had two substitute van drivers (both volunteers in various other elder programs). Pam Boyd has now been hired as the regular driver. • Pamela is working with the local newspapers to include additional information about elder programs, such as meal site menus. • Jane Robinson's watercolor class has 12 seniors registered to participate. • The knitters group has been very active - has a sale up coming - knitting for Project Linus and various local hospitals. • Pamela spent time on several occasions at the Reading Food Pantry - there are 57 seniors and families being serviced there. • There followed a discussion of other venues for information dissemination. Pamela indicated that the Ramblings newsletter is mailed to the two local papers. We have in the past, discussed mailing to businesses, as well as discussed a mass mailing to seniors in town (there are 3100 residents over 65). Barbara mentioned that in Wakefield the newsletter (published monthly) is mailed quarterly to all over 60, and that it does generate a lot of interest/response. We also discussed use of the Reading Cable Channel - which Pamela did use to advertise the knitters' sale. Dottye recommended that we make this an agenda item for the next meeting - consider a mailing, to whom, what age cut off, how often, what would the cost be and how would it be funded, do we solicit advertisers/sponsors, etc. Acceptance of the reports was moved by Joanne, seconded by Barbara; vote was unanimous.