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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-12 Council on Aging MinutesTown of Reading Meeting Minutes tzECEIVEO OWN CLERK _- :;CLING. MASS. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Council on Aging Date: 2015 -01 -12 Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Address: 49 Pleasant Street Purpose: Monthly Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: 1di5 APR 21 P 12' 42 Time: 6:30 PM Location: Arts and Crafts Room Tom Procopio, Erica Deane, Kevin Walsh, Margaret Havey, Sandy Shaffer, Marilyn Shapleigh, Jolyn Ek (Associate), Brian Snell (Associate), Jane Burns (Admin) Members - Not Present: Steve Oston, Sally Hoyt, John Parsons Others Present: Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Erica Deane, Secretary Topics of Discussion: Acceptance of Minutes from December 8, 2014 - Approved Elder Services Report for December 2014 - Acceptance and Approval Deferred until February meeting per Administrator's request Financial Report for December 2014 - Accepted and Approved Old Business: Chair introduced and welcomed new Board member Marilyn Shapleigh and Associate Board members Jolyn Ek and Brian Snell. Administrator stated that a complete set of guidelines for associate members should be available to the Board for the February meeting. Administrator informed the Board that associate members are unable to vote and do not count toward the quorum. Administrator informed the Board that Facilities purchased plastic sides for the front door awning at the Pleasant Street Center and that the new sides were working extremely well at helping to keep the cold air out. Administrator stated that the Senior Center Coordinator is to return to work part-time as of January 20th 2015. Administrator provided the Board with a review of the various Holiday programs and stated that 30 meals were delivered on Christmas Eve to the homes of seniors; an outreach program with the Hitching Post allowed for 26 individuals to have their names put anonymously on a Christmas tree and gifts were purchased for them by Reading residents. The gifts were then given to the individuals at a reception at the Pleasant Street Center or delivered to their homes; The adopt a family program (sponsored by Reading Cares and Page 1 1 Reading Rotary) provided food and gifts to 60 families; The Elks provided food baskets to 15 families and seniors. Administrator stated that Elder Services is always looking and willing to partner with the business community to provide new programs for Reading seniors. Administrator provided a survey update and stated that Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios expressed interest in conducting a complete overall assessment of Elder Services in Reading. Administrator is to look into cost of such assessment from either UMass Boston or a similar university or assessment center and discuss further with both Town Manager and Assistant Town Manager. Due to the fact that if a complete assessment was completed by an outside agency than a survey would be done by that agency, it was decided to put the Council on Aging Questionnaire on hold until a decision regarding a complete assessment has been made. Board discussed issue regarding if the Pleasant Street Center has outgrown itself and if it is too small to meet needs. Topics discussed were: Can the various groups /activities be re- shuffled to different rooms /days etc. in order to provide more classes; with baby boomers becoming seniors there are more programs needed, however no room in the schedule or in the building. Board is to re -visit this issue at future meetings and continue to brainstorm ideas. Senior Energy Star Program discussion was deferred to February meeting. Kevin Walsh provided the Board with an update regarding RCTV progress and stated that there are two videos on You Tube: Senior Checklist and Living Options in Reading. Kevin stated that he will send email with links to You Tube videos to Administrator. Administrator to forward video links to Board members for review via email. Kevin informed the Board that he is currently working on a Dementia video as well. New Business: Administrator reminded Board members of the FY16 Community Services Budget Update Meeting on January 20th 2015 at 7PM at the Town Hall. Adjournment: 7:39 PM. Page 1 2