HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-12 Council on Aging Minutespr Or
Town of Reading
- -' Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Council on Aging
Date: 2014 -11 -12
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center
Address: 49 Pleasant Street
Purpose: Monthly Meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Time: 6:31 PM
RECEIVED
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1015 JAN 15 PtoSit
Location: Arts and Crafts Room
Steve Oston, Margaret Havey, Erica Deane, John Parsons, Tom Procopio,
Donavin Bentley, Sandy Shaffer, lane Burns (Admin)
Members - Not Present:
Kevin Walsh, Sally Hoyt
Others Present:
Bill Hecht, MVES Representative, Marilyn Shapleigh
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Erica Deane, Secretary
Topics of Discussion:
Acceptance of Minutes from October 20, 2014
*Approved as amended with the following corrections: Spelling corrections to board
member's last name Sandy Shaffer and guest's first name Marilyn Shapleigh
Elder Services Report for October 2014 - Accepted and Approved
Financial Report for October 2014 - Accepted and Approved
MVES Representative Bill Hecht reviewed Mystic Valley Elder Service's purpose and touched
upon services that the organization provides to the community. Services and key issues
discussed were hospital to home support, transportation networking, mental health home
support, new meals contract and experimenting with cook and chill. The Board was also
notified of two upcoming MVES fundraising events: Bellyful of laughs on January 24, 2015
and How to Succeed in Business on May 30, 2015. BIII Hecht informed the Board that there
is currently an open Board seat on the MVES Board and asked anyone interested to contact
Jane Burns (Admin).
Old Business:
Administrator provided the Board with a staffing update and stated that the Senior Center
Coordinator will be out of work for 6 -8 weeks beginning next week. Administrator intends
to add 4 hours weekly to her schedule and to utilize any available staff members to assist
with transitioning the Pleasant Street Centers' rooms through -out the day. Administrator
asked Board for ideas in regards to staffing and custodial needs for the Center. Further
discussion on this topic intended for the Staffing /Core Services Meeting to be held on
Tuesday November 18, 2014.
Administrator informed the Board that Christopher's Restaurant donated the Thanksgiving
meals for home deliveries to seniors. Volunteers are to deliver meals on the Wednesday
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before Thanksgiving. Administrator is to distribute additional information and routes prior
to the event.
Administrator discussed the town's tree lighting event and stated that given the current
staffing situation of the Center, a decision to not do an afternoon activity (as discussed
previously) has been made. The Center will be hosting, in partnership with Reading
Recreation, the Character breakfast the morning of the town's tree lighting event.
Board member Steve Oston reviewed the Senior Energy Star Program with the Board. The
Program is a grant based program that would assist seniors in making energy efficient home
improvements and could essentially double their rebates. Board suggested that a meeting
be set up with the Town Manager in order to present the information and discuss feasibility.
Steve Oston is to report back to the Board with additional follow -up information.
New Business:
A motion was made by John Parsons to allocate $100.00 from the Burbank Fund to
purchase the birthday gift cards. The motion was seconded by Sandy Shaffer. The motion
passed 7 -0 in favor.
Administrator reminded the Board of the Hillview Country Club Thanksgiving dinner to be
held on November 22, 2014. Board members to notify Administrator as soon as possible if
interested in attending. Administrator distributed an example survey to the Board to be
distributed with Brad Jones' permission to attending seniors to gain input on priorities of
services. If Administrator is unable to get permission for survey to be distributed at the
Hillview event, Administrator intends on distributing the survey to seniors by enclosing the
survey in a town bill.
Board member John Parsons informed the Administrator that the Science Team at the High
School may be offering to rake leaves for a donation. Administrator is to ask Social
Services to contact the High School in an attempt to gain more information on the program
so that seniors can be made aware of the service.
Adjournment: 8:02
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