HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-09 Council on Aging MinutesF$
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Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
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OWN CLERK
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Council on Aging
Date: 2015 -03 -09
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center
Address: 49 Pleasant Street
Purpose: Monthly Meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
236 APR 21 P 12* 42
Time: 6:31 PM
Location: Arts and Crafts Room
Tom Procopio, Kevin Walsh, Erica Deane, Margaret Havey, Sandy Shaffer,
Marilyn Shapleigh, Steve Oston, John Parsons, Jolyn Ek (Associate), Jane
Burns (Admin)
Members - Not Present:
Sally Hoyt, Brian Snell (Associate)
Others Present:
Nancy Heffernan Town Treasurer, Beth Klepeis Trust Fund Commissioner,
Dan Ensminger Town Selectman and COA Liaison
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Erica Deane, Secretary
Topics of Discussion:
Acceptance of Minutes from January 12, 2015 - Approved
Elder Services Report for December 2014, January 2015 and February 2015 - Accepted and
Approved
Financial Report for January 2015 and February 2015 - Accepted and Approved
Old Business:
Administrator informed the Board that she had been notified by Laura Gemme, Town Clerk,
that in regards to associate member status: "That is true there was a charter change but
that CAN NOT take effect until it is approved by the AGs office and the Voters on the April
ballot."
Administrator provided a Budget /Staffing update and stated that changes had been made
and that Elder Services is now categorized under the Department of Public Services and will
have more of a community focus. The re- organization has Elder Human Services under
John Fuedo, Community Services Director.
Administrator stated that as of June 30th 2015 the part-time Social Service position has
been eliminated and rolled into a 37 1/2 hour Nurse Advocate position that is currently
vacant. Board members asked to see the new job description for the Nurse Advocate
position once completed.
Administrator provided Board with update on Needs Assessment Initiative and stated that
the goal of the Assessment would be to assess all of Elder and Human Services from staffing
to transportation to the Pleasant Street Center as a whole etc. The assessment would look
at where we are today and where we need to be in 15 years. How well positioned are we to
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care for seniors in the future; what services we are providing now and what we will need to
provide in the future. The assessment initiative would also look into communication and
outreach with seniors and the possibility of re- branding Elder Services.
Kevin Walsh provided the Board with a RCN update and stated that he is continuing edits
to the Dementia program and that he intends to send out an email with links included in it
to the RCN movies for board members to view.
New Business:
Town Treasurer and Trust Fund Commissioner distributed informational hand -outs regarding
Schroeder, Burbank and Patron for Older Adults Trust Funds and reviewed: the process of
how the town accepted the trust funds, how the funds are comingled and invested together
with all of the towns' funds in order to obtain a better return and have better options, and
the difference between the individual fund's non - expendable balance and expendable
balance. An overview and an informational hand -out was also discussed in regards to the
Reading Response Program. The Trust Fund Commissioner reminded the Board that the
trust funds should be used for what they were intended for and to utilize them so that their
original intent can be met and so that the town can remain current.
Kevin Walsh requested a letter in writing to the Board from the Trust Fund Commissioner
regarding who is the fiduciary of the trust funds. Selectman Dan Ensminger stated to put
the request in writing and submit the request via email to him in order to obtain a legal
opinion. Kevin Walsh to draft an email to review with the Board at the April meeting.
Administrator stated that the discretionary Schroeder Fund was utilized during the multiple
snow storms in January and February to purchase meals for seniors.
Administrator informed the Board that the Golden Age Radio subscription had been canceled
as of this date and that she is looking into the possibility of purchasing Apple N to
streamline music for the Pleasant Street Center.
Administrator informed the Board that the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner is Thursday April
23rd at 5pm. Kevin Walsh made a motion to allocate $1125.00 from the Patron for Older
Adults Fund to fund the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. John Parsons 2nd the motion. The
Board voted 8 -0 in favor.
A motion was made by Tom Procopio to distribute $1356.90 from the Burbank Fund to
purchase postage for the Pleasantries. The motion was 2nd by Steve Oston. The Board
voted 8 -0 in favor.
A motion was made by Kevin Walsh for up to $400.00 to be allocated from the Schroeder
Fund to purchase 30 Easter meals to be delivered to homebound seniors. Marilyn Shapleigh
2nd the motion. The Board voted 8 -0 in favor. Six board members agreed to deliver the
meals to seniors on the Saturday before Easter.
Administrator reviewed idea for a new monthly evening dinner program. Board was in favor
of hosting a dinner a month beginning in June with a Chinese Dinner. Board agreed that
utilizing Reading restaurants for the catering of the dinners would help to support the town
businesses. Van would be available. Board discussed the need to find different avenues for
outreach in an attempt to draw new seniors. Administrator to put a request for funding
together for the Chinese dinner and Board will discuss further at April meeting.
Administrator stated that the Olde Redding Butcher Shop donated the food for the Opening
Day at Fenway lunch event at the Pleasant Street Center.
Administrator reviewed Emergency Preparedness with the Board and informed the Board
that Elder Service staff members worked from home when the Town Hall /Senior Center was
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closed due to weather conditions. Staff called multiple seniors to ensure that they had food,
oil, oxygen and did not have mobility or any other issues. Mystic Valley sent extra meals in
advance of the storms and called and checked on seniors as well. High School students
shoveled out seniors in need. Administrator stated that she is currently looking into setting
up a program where an athletic team would adopt a senior in town to assist him /her with
shoveling, raking, cleaning storm dams etc. Administrator to keep Board updated on
progress.
Adjournment: 8:21 PM.
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