HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-13 Council on Aging Minutesp`aN prq 0
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Council on Aging
Date: 2015 -04 -13
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center
Address: 49 Pleasant Street
Purpose: Monthly Meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Time: 6:30 PM
TOWN CLERK m
READING, MASS.
1016 MAR 28 P 0'141
Location: Arts and Crafts Room
Tom Procopio, Erica Deane, Sandy Shaffer, Marilyn Shapleigh, Steve Oston,
John Parsons, Brian Snell, Sally Hoyt, Jolyn Ek (Associate), Jane Burns
(Admin)
Members - Not Present:
Kevin Walsh, Margaret Havey
Others Present:
Christine Hansen
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Erica Deane, Secretary
Topics of Discussion:
Acceptance of Minutes from March 9, 2015 - Approved
Elder Services Report for March 2015 - Accepted and Approved
Financial Report for March 2015 - Accepted and Approved
Old Business:
A motion was made by Tom Procopio for the Board to draft a letter to the Town Manager
requesting clarification from Town Council regarding who is the fiduciary of the trust funds
and who is responsible if the Investment of the money is mishandled. The motion was 2nd
by Steve Oston. The Board voted 3 -4 -1 and the motion did not pass.
Administrator postponed the update of the Needs Assessment Initiative to the May meeting
Administrator provided the Board with a van update and stated that Elder Services should
have their new van by the end of June, beginning of July. The new van is to be purchased
from Shepard Brothers out of New York and will have a smaller engine than the current van
but will have additional features such as a back -up camera.
Administrator informed the Board that the quote for the new audio system for the Sally
Hoyt Great Room at the Pleasant Street Center Is currently being finalized and the purchase
order is being written. The audio and visual system should be installed by the end of April,
beginning of May.
New Business:
Christine Hansen, Community Representative for the Town of Reading for Independent
Living Centers of the North Shore and Cape Ann, informed the Board of legislation in the
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House: H522 and in the Senate: SD442 In regards to anti - bullying for seniors within
housing. Christine also extended an invitation for Board members to attend a legislative
breakfast on May 1a' 9am- 11:30am and asked that interested Board members contact her
directly in regards to attending the breakfast. The Board was informed by Christine of a
Caregiver's Tea and Support Group held the second Wednesday of each month at 2:30 at
the Old South Church. A request was made by Christine for the Board to draft a letter of
support to the Reading Police Department to support the change of the accessible icon to a
more active and mobile icon. Christine stated that the Town already has funding for the
changed icon under a department of transportation grant and that the Icon is ADA
compliant. If approved, the amended Icon would be around town buildings and would be
suggested as a recommendation for private businesses.
A motion was made by Tom Procopio to draft a letter to the Parking Enforcement and Traffic
Commission at the Reading Police Department to support the change of the accessible icon
to a more active and mobile icon. John Parsons 2nd the motion. The Board voted 7 -1 in
favor.
Marilyn Shapleigh distributed to the Board information regarding her Glaucoma Awareness-
needs Assessment and reviewed her findings with the Board. The Glaucoma presentation
was a very successful program at the Pleasant Street Center and the Administrator stated
that changes to the Pleasantries and in other areas of marketing have already been initiated
as a result of the project's useful findings. Administrator and the Board were extremely
appreciative to Marilyn for her hard work and efforts in regards to this project.
Administrator provided the Board with a MVES update and stated that Board member Brian
Snell has been approved by the Board of Selectman and has been appointed to the MVES
Elder Services Board. Administrator stated that at the last MVES Board of Directors
meeting, the Board voted to explore the possibility of a merger with CRW (Chelsea, Revere,
Winthrop). This merger would have to be approved by the State if MVES agrees to move
forward with it. Administrator to keep Board informed and updated as information becomes
more available. MVES Annual Report was distributed to the Board for review by the
Administrator.
Administrator Informed the Board of the RCN Organization Night and stated that on May
1P RCN will be giving each organization an opportunity to speak for 5 minutes about their
respective organizations. Administrator to speak on behalf of Elder Services and the Council
on Aging.
Administrator stated that Friends and Family Day is June 13`h and that the Board needs to
decide if Board members are able to set -up, run and break -down a booth for the event.
Administrator is unable to attend this year and therefore can only assist prior to the event
by reserving booth, providing information etc. Board to notify Administrator at May's
meeting if interested in reserving a booth.
Administrator distributed the Nurse Advocate job description to Board members and
requested that all comments or concerns regarding the job description be emailed to her
directly as soon as possible.
Brian Snell stated that he is currently researching the possibility of running a senior RAD
self defense program in town as well as having a police officer liaison appointed specifically
for seniors in town. Administrator to follow -up with police department and to work with
Brian and report back to Board.
Adjournment: 8:22
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