HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-08 Council on Aging MinutesO K OFkFgOi
Town of Reading
1' ,,. 1, Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Council on Aging
Date: 2014 -12 -08
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center
Address: 49 Pleasant Street
Purpose: Monthly Meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Time: 6:30 PM
OWN CLERK
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Location: Arts and Crafts Room
Steve Oston, Margaret Havey, Kevin Walsh, John Parsons, Tom Procopio,
Donavin Bentley, Sandy Shaffer, Jane Burns (Admin)
Members - Not Present:
Erica Deane, Sally Hoyt
Other Present:
None
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Steve Oston
Topics of Discussion:
Acceptance of Minutes from November 12, 2014 - Approved
Acceptance of Minutes from November 18, 2014 - Approved
Elder Services Report for November 2014 - Accepted and Approved
Financial Report for November 2014 - Accepted and Approved
Old Business:
Pleasant Street Center Updates. The Senior Center Coordinator has been out of work
owing to recent surgery. Other staff members have been temporarily reassigned to fill the
gap, but it has generally been a difficult time for the Center since November has been the
busiest month of the year. One result has been the inability to provide certain statistics for
November. Additional help from the custodial staff has been sporadic, although we are
trying to get a greater commitment in that area. Some seniors have voiced unhappiness
over the consequent changes in services provided; we are trying to address all of their
concerns.
Thanksgiving Meal Recap. Margaret, Sandy and Kevin described their generally positive
experiences delivering Thanksgiving meals. There was discussion of what to do if a meals
recipient was found to be living under unsanitary or unsafe conditions.
Survey Update. We are constructing a survey to better ascertain the needs of Reading's
elderly population. The Town Manager is pleased with the results thus far. The survey is
expected to be distributed with the March issue of Pleasantries and also to be available on-
line.
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Senior Energy Star Program (Steve). The Winchester Council on Aging has developed a
program to offer grants to lower- income seniors who implement energy efficiency
improvements in their homes, and we are looking into whether such a program might
benefit seniors in Reading as well. Steve reported on a recent conversation with Terry
Fuller, head of the Winchester program that began last spring and Is on- going. Program is
funded to the $20,000 level by a local bank and two volunteer environmental organizations.
To date, 34 applications were received, 22 energy audits (a requirement) were conducted,
and 10 $800 grants have been awarded, all for home insulation projects. Three boiler
conversion projects are in the mill as well. The program has a dedicated telephone line
manned by Fuller and provides mentors to make the approval and audit processes easier for
seniors. The application rate is below expected and considerable funds are as yet unspent;
applicants unpredictably seem to be Interested in large projects, not appliance replacement.
RCN (Kevin). The Dementia Project will require about 10 hours to edit and is expected to
be available for TV In the near future. Kevin is also writing four elder services related shows
to be ready during the next year. Reading Response wants to do an infomercial highlighting
their role in providing essential services to the Town such as medical transportation and
medication dispensing.
New Business
Knox Box Request. A Knox Box Is a Town - owned, secure device containing the house key
of a senior and mounted to the senior's home. Only the fire department can open the box,
and it is to be used just in case of emergency. There are 29 of these boxes In Reading.
Three seniors are on a wait list for new boxes. It was moved by Kevin and seconded by Jahn
to allocate the amount of $477 from the Burbank Fund to purchase 3 additional boxes. The
motion passed 7 -0.
Christmas Meal Delivery. Market Basket in Reading has been chosen to provide Christmas
meals. The menu will be: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, squash, dinner roll and lemon
tart. COA deliver volunteers are Tom, Sandy, Steve, Kevin and Margaret. Pickup will be at
11 AM on the 24 at Market Basket.
NETPLIX. Moved by Steve and seconded by Margaret to allocate the amount of $21.20
from the Burbank Fund to provide NETFLIX movies at the Center from July through October.
The motion passed 7 -0.
Other Business. Marilyn Shapleigh is being considered by the Board of Selectmen to fill the
sole Council on Aging vacancy. There may also be candidates for associate membership.
Steve recalled that we had associate members in prior years and that they worked out well.
There was a definite consensus of the Board to add associate members if they were
approved by the BOS. It was expressed that the functions of associate members under our
by -laws should be researched.
Jane will be out of the office from 12/25 to 1/5. Steve and John will not be in attendance for
the January meeting.
Adjournment: 7:40 PM.
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