HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-08 Council on Aging Minutes`c Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
�` iiECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
Board - Committee - Commission - Council: _ Ap1NG. MASS.
Council on Aging jpig jI o 15 P W f4
Date: 2014 -09 -08 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Location: Arts and Crafts Room
Address: 49 Pleasant Street
Purpose: Monthly Meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Christine Hansen, Steve Oston, Margaret Havey, Erica Deane, Sandy
Schaffer, Donavin Bentley, John Parsons, Tom Procopio, Kevin Walsh, Jane
Burns (Admin)
Members - Not Present:
Sally Hoyt
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Erica Deane, Secretary
Topics of Discussion:
Acceptance of Minutes from June 9, 2014 - Approved as amended with the following
corrections: *The Elder Services and Financial Reports that were accepted and approved at
the June 9"' meeting were for the month of May. *The Election of Officers for the Council on
Aging is for the term commencing July 1rt 2014 to June 30`" 2015 *Spelling correction:
Rheta McKinley (Previously on the MVES Board of Directors)
Elder Services Report for June and July 2014 - Accepted and Approved
Financial Report for June, July and August 2014 - Accepted and Approved
Old Business:
Administrator Informed the Board that the Elder Services report for August will be available
for the Board to Review at the October meeting.
Administrator reviewed the no solicitation policy for the Board in regards to attorney's
speaking to seniors at the Pleasant Street Center. Attorneys can give presentations that are
on a specific topic but cannot gather names, numbers or offer free consultations to seniors.
Elder Services does not endorse one attorney over another. Board members requested a
copy of this policy from the Administrator.
Administrator requested that all board members submit their volunteer hours via email to
kvalieCdci read i na. ma.us on a monthly basis.
Administrator reviewed COA Trust Funds: Actual FY 2014 and Projected FY 2015; and
stated that the town Intends to pay the van grant match of $11,000.00 and therefore these
funds will not be dispersed (as originally planned) from the Burbank Fund.
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New Business:
Board discussed at length the option of retaining the second van for Elder Services.
Administrator stated that the Patrons for Older Adults fund could be utilized to pay the van's
Insurance, however the Board would need to reapprove the insurance payment yearly. The
Board agreed that a second van would allow for more trips and agreed to fund the insurance
for the first year and to re -vlsit the van's condition and usage in a year. Board members
asked the Administrator to check in to any liability issues with running the second van.
A motion was made by Tom Procopio to allocate up to $1100.00 from the Patrons for Older
Adults fund for the Insurance of the second van should the town decide to retain the second
van for one year. The motion was seconded by Donavin Bentley. The motion passed with
9 -0 in favor.
Administrator discussed the idea of building a team of volunteers to drive seniors to church
on Saturdays and /or Sundays similar to the medical escort team of drivers.
The Chair asked for board members to volunteer to be in a transportation working group.
Steve Oston and Tom Procopio volunteered.
A motion was made by Kevin Walsh for $150.00 to be dispersed from The Burbank fund for
the birthday lunches. Margaret Havey seconded the motion. The motion passed 9 -0 in
favor.
A motion was made by Steve Oston for $240.00 to be dispersed from the Burbank fund for
Golden Age Radio. Tom Procopio seconded the motion. The motion passed 9 -0 in favor.
Administrator notified the Board that an over -head projector and large retractable screen
are being purchased for the Pleasant Street Center by the town's IT department for the
Sally Hoyt Great Room. Administrator reminded the Board that the Burbank Fund is no
longer expending $11,000.00 for the van grant match and the Board discussed funding a
new audio system for the Sally Hoyt Great Room.
Tom Procoplo made a motion to authorize up to $6000.00 from the Burbank Fund for the
audio component of the AV project for the Sally Hoyt Great Room at the Pleasant Street
Center. Sandy Schaffer seconded the motion. The motion passed 9 -0 in favor.
The idea of a discretionary fund was discussed so that the elder service's team would be
able to purchase items on a last minute basis for seniors in need. Items to Include but not
limited to: muffins, coffee, Flowers, a card, groceries. Administrator to manage the fund
and report usage to the Board on a yearly basis.
A motion was made by Kevin Walsh to disperse $300.00 from the Schroeder Fund to fund
the discretionary fund. Erica Deane seconded the motion. The motion passed 9 -0 in favor.
Chair stated that MVES requested Bill Hecht be reappointed to the MVES Board.
A motion was made by Steve Oston to reappoint Bill Hecht to the Mystic Valley Elder
Services Board. Kevin Walsh seconded the motion. The motion passed 9 -0 In favor.
Administrator to notify MVES and Bill Hecht of the appointment to the MVES Board. The
appointment is effective through September 2017.
Administrator distributed an informational flyer to the Board and reviewed the
Dementia /Alzheimers Program to be held on October 28`h 2014 at the Pleasant Street
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Center. Administrator asked the Board to help to spread the word in the community in
regards to this upcoming program.
A motion was made by Erica Deane for an additional $50.00 to be expended from the
Patrons for Older Adults fund for refreshments for the Dementia /Alzheimers Program on
October 281h 2014. Tom Procopio seconded the motion. The motion passed 9 -0 in favor.
Administrator reported that The Fall Street Faire was more about quality than quantity this
year and that a few good contacts were made.
Administrator notified the Board that the Pleasant Street Center Gardeners won 1� place in
the Business category for the Reading Garden Club's Adopt an Island competition this year
Kevin Walsh requested that the RCN update /discussion as well as the Board photo be
deferred until the October meeting. Board members agreed.
The Board thanked lane Burns (Administrator) for her hard -work and dedication to our
seniors over the summer and always. Board remarked that it is evident through the new
programs and reports that she is going above and beyond and doing a fantastic job.
Adjournment: 8:06 PM
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