HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-03-14 Council on Aging MinutesOWN OFq�O'
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Council on Aging
Date: 2016 -03 -14
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center
Address: 49 Pleasant Street
Purpose:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Time: 6:00 PM
TOWN CLERK
READING- MASS.
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Location: Arts and Crafts Room
Session: General Session
Sally Hoyt, Jolyn Ek, Margaret Havey, Marilyn Shapleigh, Kevin Walsh, John
Parsons, Brian Snell, Sandy Shaffer, Steve Oston, Poo)a Parsons (Associate
Member), lane Burns (Admin)
Members - Not Present:
Thomas Procopio, Cara Leonard (Associate Member)
Others Present:
Sandra Meuse & Danielle Meuse (Salem State University Social Work
Student)
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Marilyn Shapleigh
Topics of Discussion:
Call to Order: 6:02 by Brian Snell
Acceptance of January Minutes: Accepted & Approved.
Elder Services January- February Report (Admin): Presented. Report accepted.
Financial January- February Report (Admin): Presented and accepted.
Old Business:
MVES Report: A fund raiser event is upcoming - Sweet Charity @ Stoneham Theater, April
9e. A presentation on protective services was given at the MVES meeting. Reading may
schedule protective services staff training for Reading Fire & Police employees in the next
couple of months. The merger w /CRW Is going smoothly.
COA Policies and Roles: Jane Burns reviewed the MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs, July
2015 document, A Guide for Board Members to see if there is a policy on inviting a senior
into your home (a follow -up to January's discussion on this point). The document did not
contain an explicit policy on this issue. However, the document specified that "COAs
identify unmet needs and develop and implement programs, services and activities to meet
such needs" & also summarized the Conflict of Interest Laws which include "even the
perception and appearance of conflict ". The COA was cautioned on the importance of
adhering to both principles when determining the line between professional and personal
Involvement. Brian Snell explained several examples of applied policy.
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Page 3 of the document discusses the Fair Information Practices Act. Jane Burns
emphasized the regulations on client confidentiality.
Survey Update: An updated draft was reviewed. The goal for the upcoming May 3'"
Selectman's meeting is to condense the material to a 2 -3 page report focusing on what we
are and what we are not providing for elder services.
The survey review led to discussion of the need to give the property tax worker program a
"face lift ". This would come through the Assessor's Office & Property Tax Office, not the
COA. The topic will be raised at the upcoming Selectman's meeting. lane Burns will follow
up. If financial issues are a major limiting factor, Brian Snell suggested that this may be
something the COA should address. Steve Oston mentioned that there's a Property Tax
Task Force in Massachusetts that looks at property tax programs state -wide if anyone has
time to participate.
Senior Energy Update: A draft proposal went to the Reading Town Manager for an Energy
Conservation program (energy grants for seniors). On hold, pending town Counsel review.
New Business:
Selectman's Meeting May 3r° (7:00): Jane Burns can have a rough draft for review on April
11th and do a dry run presentation at a special COA meeting on 5/2/2016, 6:30 -7:00 so that
there will be time for modifications as appropriate. The meeting will be scheduled.
Easter Meal Delivery: Volunteers (6) are scheduled to meet Good Friday @1:30 at the
Green Tomato. Seafood bisque & stuffed chicken breast will delivered.
Events Calendar:
Volunteer Dinner: April 14th at Pleasant St. Center @ 5:00 p.m. Jane Burns
requested $1200 from the Patrons Fund for food, gifts & supplies. Moved by Kevin
Walsh, seconded by John Parsons. All in favor.
Senior Prom: The Young Women's League is organizing the May 5"' ticketed event at
Meadowbrook. Price of tickets TED. A fund raiser is being conducted on Facebook,
but so far has not been as successful as hoped. lane Burns requested funding to
cover the cost of music (D] for the night) $200.00 and transportation $75.00 from
Patrons. Motion to fund $275 from the Patrons Fund for DJ and transportation was
made by Margaret Havey, seconded by Sandy Shaffer. All in favor.
Chinese Dinner: Scheduled for June 23r°. Jane Burns requested $1000 to pay for the
dinner from Patrons. Motion by John Oston, seconded by Jolyn Ek. All in favor.
RCN Videotaping: The Sheriff's office will be conducting a Lunch & Learn on scams and
safety. Jane Burns suggested that it would be great to videotape the event. Kevin Walsh
agreed and will follow up. He also reported that the dementia videotape is available on
RCN. He would also like to videotape both the 3/17 Celtic performance and the upcoming
Spring Fling.
Steve Oston spoke about the Villages on Beacon Hill program that's dedicated to enabling
seniors to age at home. A board of directors is being formed to foster similar programs as a
private effort In local communities. The Idea is to have small groups of elderly with minimal
dues (e.g. $25 /yr) who would meet to share info on how they can help each other. Board
members were encouraged to contact Steve Oston for more information if interested.
Adjourned at 7:43.
Next COA Meetings: April 11"' (regular meeting) and May 51h (special meeting)
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