HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-20 Council on Aging Minutes0-oz-, Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Council on Aging
Date: 2014 -10 -20
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center
Address: 49 Pleasant Street
Purpose: Monthly Meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Time: 6:30 PM
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Location: Arts and Crafts Room
Steve Oston, Margaret Havey, Erica Deane, John Parsons, Tom Procopio,
Kevin Walsh, Sally Hoyt, Jane Burns (Admin)
Members - Not Present:
Donavin Bentley, Sandy Shaffer
Others Present:
Robert W. LeLacheur, Jr., Town Manager, Jean Delios, Assistant Town
Manager, Marilyn Shapleigh
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Erica Deane, Secretary
Topics of Discussion:
Acceptance of Minutes from September 8, 2014
Elder Services Report for August 2014 and September 2014 - Accepted and Approved
Financial Report for September 2014 - Accepted and Approved
Town Manager Robert W. LeLacheur provided the Board with a staffing update in regards to
Elder Services and asked that the Board discuss priorities for the upcoming FY16 budget.
Returns are projected to be between 2% and 2.5% (significantly lower than in past years)
and therefore the Town Manager requested that the Board generate a budget that would be
ideal; however the Town Manager reminded the Board to keep in mind that it will probably
not be the budget that Elder Services will get. The Town Manager asked that the Board also
generate an ideal budget that projects out into future years in regards to what positions the
Board would like to see included in the Elder Services budget in the years to come. The
discussion centered on how to get the pulse of where Elder Services is now: the level of
services, what works, what needs attention, any overlap in services amongst town
positions. The Board agreed that its focus should be: What does Elder Services want to
provide; what does Elder Services need to provide; what can Elder Services afford to
provide. The Board needs to breakdown the core of Elder Services and the services that do
not make the core need to be prioritized into a list. The Board agreed that a separate
meeting would be necessary to accomplish this task. Administrator and Chair to coordinate
and will notify Board members of date of additional meeting.
Administrator will request a survey be distributed at the Hillview Country Club Thanksgiving
dinner in an attempt to gain additional input from Reading Seniors in regards to priority of
services.
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Assistant Town Manager lean Delios provided an update to the Board on the zoning bylaws
in regards to accessory living areas.
Old Business:
A motion was made by Steve Oston to disperse $500.00 from the Burbank Fund for new
Holiday decorations for the Pleasant Street Center. John Parsons seconded the motion. The
motion passed 7 -0 in favor.
New Business:
Administrator informed the Board that Rite Aide has been a new and wonderful community
partner for Elder Services: providing monthly blood pressures and administering Flu shots
for the town.
A motion was made by Steve Oston to nominate Tom Procopio as the Chair for the Council
on Aging. The motion was seconded by Kevin Walsh. The motion passed 7 -0 in favor.
A motion was made by Margaret Havey to nominate Kevin Walsh as Vice Chair for the
Council on Aging. The motion was seconded by Sally Hoyt. The motion passed 7 -0 in favor.
Administrator reviewed information received from the MCOA Conference and distributed to
the Board Reading's Healthy Aging Community Data Profile. The profile provided a snapshot
of the seniors within our community so that the board was able to see exactly where
Reading seniors' needs are. Administrator to forward link to board members so that
members can review conference presentations as well.
A motion was made by Kevin Walsh for $450.00 to be expended from the Schroeder Fund to
purchase the Thanksgiving meals for home deliveries to seniors. The motion was seconded
by Steve Oston. The motion passed 7 -0 in favor.
A motion was made by Margaret Havey for $450.00 to be dispersed from the Schroeder
Fund to purchase the Christmas meals for home deliveries to seniors. The motion was
seconded by John Parsons. The motion passed 7 -0 In favor.
Administrator asked for volunteers from the Board to deliver both Thanksgiving and
Christmas meals to seniors. Board members are to notify the Administrator if able.
A motion was made by Kevin Walsh for up to $100.00 to be expended from the Patrons for
Older Adults fund to cover the cost of the seniors' breakfasts at the Character Breakfast on
November 30, 2014. Tom Procopio seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 -0 in favor.
Administrator discussed the idea of having the Pleasant Street Center open as a warming
station for the town's tree lighting event. Administrator also discussed running the van that
evening to provide transportation to seniors Interested In attending the town tree lighting.
The possibility of showing movies and serving refreshments at the Center was discussed.
Administrator is to discuss options with staff and report back to the Board at the November
meeting.
Steve Oston deferred discussion of the Senior Energy Star Program until the November
meeting.
A motion was made by Kevin Walsh for $250.00 to be distributed from the Burbank Fund to
purchase a gift card from Market Basket for the purchase of the monthly birthday cakes.
Sally Hoyt seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 -0 in favor.
Adjournment: 8:12 PM
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