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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-09 Council on Aging Minutesv orx o �i Town of Reading i, fa1 Meeting Minutes a le,MLOPPpP� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Council on Aging Date: 2014 -06 -09 Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Address: 49 Pleasant Street Purpose: Monthly Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: ktr7r4w.mlrl:j3 RECEIVED TOWN CLERK ;EAOINC. MASS. 1014 SEP 11 A 11: 02' Location: Arts and Crafts Room Steve Oston, Margaret Havey, Christine Hansen, Carol Oniskey, Erica Deane, Sandy Schaffer, Donavin Bentley, Jane Burns (Admin) Members - Not Present: Tom Procopio, Kevin Walsh, Sally Hoyt Others Present: John Parsons Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Christine Hansen Topics of Discussion: Acceptance of Minutes from May 12, 2014 Elder Services Report for May 2014 - Accepted and Approved Financial Report for May 2014 - Accepted and Approved Old Business Administrator reviewed events occurring in May including the Annual Lions Club Italian Dinner. Administrator reviewed a pilot program conducted by Winchester Hospital which Included balance screenings over a two day period. Thirteen seniors were furnished a screening and a personal plan for safety during one on one sessions. Administrator detailed the defibrillator training conducted for volunteers at the Pleasant Street Center including receptionists, medical escorts, shopping companions and kitchen staff. The training provides a two year certification for volunteers. Administrator detailed the Alzheimer's Support Group Facilitator Training completed by Melissa Koster, Social Worker. She is organizing a support group for the fall to aid caregivers, early onset patients, family members or persons with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Administrator reviewed the Lunch Is Served Program noting that meals declined during the month of May 2014. Steve Oston inquired as to collection of statistical data by Elder Services /Human Services. Administrator assured the Council that problems had been resolved. Staff has been entering data as they proceed through their daily schedules and assignments. Page I 1 Administrator reviewed the entertainment schedule to complete the fiscal year including a Father's Day luncheon an entertainer and a Beach Party. Administrator reviewed the entertainment for the Mother's Day and Father's Day luncheons. Administrator reviewed the large mailing earlier this month of the Pleasantries. A slight increase in postage was incurred from a list of residents, age 65 plus, furnished by the Town Clerk. Administrator noted an additional 2,000 residents are 60 -65 years of age, according to the Town Clerk. Administrator detailed a chain of events during Town Meeting relative to matching funds for a van. Town Meeting approved funds in the amount of $39,000. The Council on Aging members discussed and approved expenditure of $11,000 from the Burbank Trust Fund in March 2014 as matching funds for a new van upon grant approval. The Council discussed improvements and funding for the Pleasant Street Center as alternative expenditures for the funds (under New Business) Margaret Havey inquired as to alternative drivers for a second van. Administrator indicated that the list of alternative drivers is current. Christine Hansen inquired as to the current van becoming a secondary van for seniors. Administrator indicated that the Town Manager will review the matter including maintenance by the Department of Public Works. The Town Manager will also determine its availability to other Town of Reading departments including Recreation Department. Steve Oston informed the Council that Tom Procopio is available to serve as a resource to the Town and Council during these discussions. NEW BUSINESS Administrator outlined the entertainment bookings through Christmas, noting additional entertainment and attendance in the fall. Thanksgiving entertainment is still being debated. Administrator mentioned that entertainment in January may encompass games and trivia. Administrator announced that an application for a Cultural Council Grant will be submitted in the fall of 2014 for an event in the spring of 2015. A Cultural Council Grant supported a theatrical performance at the Pleasant Street Center earlier this year. Administrator noted the Lobster Roll Dinner is scheduled for July 24, 2014 to include preparation and food service by Personal Chef and Catering. Erica Deane inquired as to entertainment for the Lobster Roll Dinner. Administrator recommended recorded music for seventy attendees, while mingling and enjoying a summer feast. Council members, Christine Hansen, Sandy Schaffer and Erica Deane, will serve the feast to seniors. Administrator noted an event to honor volunteers of the Friendly Visitors Program under the guidance of Kerry Valle, Outreach Coordinator, in October- November 2014. Administrator outlined various improvements necessary at the Pleasant Street Center including computer system and software upgrade and audio system replacement. Currently the computer room houses six computers with a Windows 2003 operating system. Administrator expressed an interest in tutoring seniors on Skype to enable communications with family and friends. Carol Oniskey inquired as to the number of students on a weekly basis, age of the computers, current operating system, cost of upgrades, quotes from IT personnel and WiFi. Administrator shared that IT personnel gave ballpark figures of $100 -$200 for Software upgrade and $200 operating system upgrade, per computer. Page 1 2 Following a discussion relative to summer hiatus, Margaret Havey moved to expend up to $2,000 from the Burbank Fund for computer system and software upgrade. The motion was 2nd by Sandy Schaffer. The motion passed 7 -0 in favor. Administrator Informed the Council that the audio system was purchased in 2008. A guesstimate of the costs of a new system is $4,000. The audio system and costs will be discussed at a future meeting. Administrator requested volunteers for the annual Friends and Family Day, Saturday, June 14, 2014. Steve Oston and Margaret Havey volunteered to assist Jane Burns, Administrator. The booth will include a signup sheet for vaccines, brochures and giveaways. Administrator Inquired as to training of Council members by staff of the Massachusetts Council on Aging. Council members proposed a number of days in the fall. Administrator will schedule the appropriate date and time. Administrator updated the Council relative to Alzheimer and Dementia education. A presentation was postponed until this fall. The virtual dementia tour provides an opportunity for audience members to walk in the shoes of an older adult challenged by thses debilitating diseases. The cost is $350. The event would be an evening event. Sanborn Home Care will furnish Personal Care Attendants to enable family caregivers or attendants to attend the session. Christine Hansen inquired as to the population challenged by Alzheimer's and Dementia within the community. Due to medical privacy and the stigma of the disease, no definitive statistics are available. A motion was made by Donavin Bentley to expend $350 from the Patrons Fund for the virtual dementia tour and guest speaker. The motion was 2nd by Erica Deane. The motion passes 7 -0. Administrator informed the Council that the liaisons from the Board of Selectmen are Kevin Sexton and Daniel Ensminger. Steve Oston inquired as to liaison with the Finance Committee, Town of Reading. More information will follow. Steve Oston proceeded to the Election of Officers of the Council on Aging for a term commencing in July 2014 through June 2015. Carol Oniskey nominated Erica Deane to serve as Secretary of the Council on Aging. The nomination was 2nd by Margaret Havey. Erica Deane accepted the nomination. The vote was 7 -0 in favor. Erica Deane was elected Secretary of the Council on Aging. Erica Deane nominated Tom Procopio to serve as Vice Chair of the Council on Aging. The nomination was 2nd by Carol Oniskey. Steve Oston accepted the nomination on behalf of Tom Procopio. The vote was 7 -0 in favor. Tom Procopio was elected Vice Chair of the Council on Aging. Steve Oston nominated Christine Hansen to serve as Chair of the Council on Aging. The nomination was 2nd by Donavin Bentley. Christine Hansen accepted the nomination. The vote was 7 -0 in favor. Christine Hansen was elected Chair of the Council on Aging. Steve Oston offered congratulations and best wishes to the newly elected officers of the Council on Aging. Steve Oston informed the Council that Carol Oniskey would not be renewing her membership on the Council on Aging at the end of this term. Carol has served on the Council for seven years. She has served in a number of different capacities Including Chair Page 1 3 and Vice Chair. She has graciously filled in as Secretary. Her contributions to the Council and Town of Reading have been numerous and exemplary. She was presented with a gift from the Council. Administrator informed the Council as to a vacancy to be filled by John Parsons, a guest during this meeting. John Parsons is currently a volunteer medical escort. Administrator furnished the meeting schedule for September 2014 through June 2015. Administrator shared news of a vacancy on the Board of Directors for Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) following the resignation of Rheta McKinley. Christine Hansen boldly inquired of Carol Oniskey as to her willingness to continue serving Reading seniors as a board member to MVES. She would consider the position following conversations with Dan O'Leary, MVES. Steve Oston offered words of gratitude and encouragement as the outgoing Chair of the Council on Aging. He stated that the year has been productive and fun. He will continue service on the Council for two more years. Adjournment: 7:26 pm Page 1 4