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Council on Aging <br />March 27, 20,0 'ASS. <br />Berger Room, Town Hall " <br />16 Lowe1D SOW 22 A 110; 25 <br />Reading, MA 01867-2684 <br />Present: <br />Mary Andreola, Dave Brigham, Gladys Cail, Betty Cronin, Edwina Kasper, <br />Joanne O'Brien, Gay Williams, Joanne Wooldridge, Associate Member Dick <br />Anderson, Lois Bond <br />Excused: <br />Beth Moore, Dottye Foxon, <br />Guests: <br />Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Treasurer Beth Klepeis <br />Chairperson Mary Andreola called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m. <br />The purpose of the meeting was to review the Senior Property Tax Worker Program as <br />listed in the municipal budget for $10,500. <br />Peter Hechenbleikner gave an overview of the fixed costs the Town must pay as <br />contrasted with the Property Tax Worker program that is discretionary and not mandated. <br />He wants to minimize disruption of services and employees while moving forward with <br />projects such as Addison Wesley and the land fill. <br />Gay Williams asked about the interest on the Burbank investment. By reducing the <br />amount of interest the principal is being negatively affected. She reflected on the Burbank <br />Legacy Policy that provides services and short-terms programs for the elderly. Switching <br />the Property Tax Program to the Burbank Trust will not be a short-term program because <br />once it is out of the municipal budget it will be difficult to reinstate it. <br />Dave Brigham asked about the vote taken by the Council to designate funds for people <br />needing help with pharmacy bills. Currently, one person has applied for the COA <br />determined cap of $500 for prescription assistance. <br />Joanne Wooldridge requested information about the percentage of per capita expenditure <br />of the municipal budget for elders compared with per capita expenditures for other <br />population cohorts. The aging of the general population indicates an increasing need for <br />assistance in the area of gerontological services. Is Reading becoming a homogeneous <br />population where the elderly can no longer afford to live? The COA may want to <br />consider broader criteria for the Burbank Trust to assist people not currently part of the <br />Property Tax Worker program. The concern is for people who may be physically <br />challenged yet continue to have homeowner expenses. <br />Beth Klepeis reviewed the Hospital Trust Fund from its meager beginnings to the <br />substantial fund it has become. The medical taxi program administered by Elder Services <br />