HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04-13 Council On Aging Minutes
Council on Aging Board Meeting
Monday, April 13, 2009
Reading Senior Center Game Room
Present
: Stacey Bertocchi, Steve Oston, Marguerite Bosnian, Margaret
Havey, George Lonergan, Carol Oniskey, Carol Patterson, Barbara Powers,
Carole Scrima, Gina Nelson (Associate), Dawn Folopoulos (Staff).
Call to Order:
6:37 PM
Minutes:
approved and accepted for the March 9, 2009 meeting.
Administrator’s Report:
approved and accepted.
The Council had questions about the smoke detectors for seniors to be
purchased by the Reading Firefighters Union. Staff will check which
of the two common types will be installed.
Staff has agreed to supply YTD information for various programs and
services.
The new volunteer game leader position will start in May. Whist will
be a new activity.
Financial Report:
approved and accepted.
The request for funds relative to the jelly bean suggestion box was
deferred to next year.
The request for funds to purchase emergency preparedness kits was
moved (Stacey), seconded (Carol Patterson) and approved 9-0-0.
The monthly financial report for Elder Services has been reduced to
four pages as requested by the Council.
There is a new substitute van driver; funds for that position are nearly
expended for this FY.
Old Business:
The Council decided to request an amendment to the budget during
th
the upcoming Town Meeting that begins on April 27. The budget
being proposed does not include salary funds to refill the Coordinator
of Volunteers position. Steve prepared a list of talking points that was
distributed to members, and he will speak to the Moderator to arrange
a presentation to Town Meeting.
Carol Oniskey created an excellent advertisement for the fall
publication of the Recreation Division Magazine.
Thanks to Margaret, who will be responsible for the monthly pickup
of senior birthday party cake and ice cream.
Carol Patterson will speak at the May 5 Nurse Advocate presentation
to the Boards of Selectmen.
The Senior Discount Directory needs one more update from Steve and
will be ready for the first publication as an enclosure to the June issue
of Pleasantries. Carol Oniskey volunteered to do the final formatting.
Staff and members iterated on members’ e-mail addresses—George is
still having a problem receiving emails.
As per the Town Manager subcommittee meetings of the Council are
not subject to the open meeting laws.
The Town will reimburse medical escort volunteers at the rate of 55
cents per mile during an April through September trial period.
Staff asked if Council members could provide assistance in areas
formerly covered by the Coordinator of Volunteers. Barbara agreed to
help with Senior Center movies.
New Business:
The need for an automatic door opener for the Senior Center’s front
entranceway was discussed. At present the door is too heavy for
seniors to open easily, especially those with walkers. The Council
approved the concept in spirit, but will not vote until more complete
cost information is available. A rough estimate is $2,500.
Council members volunteered to man the Elder/Human Services table
at the Friends and Family Day celebration on June 20.
Steve will miss the May Council meeting; Gina will miss the June
meeting. The Council will not meet in July and August, as usual.
Adjournment:
8:20 PM.
The next meeting will be May 11, 2009.
Respectfully Submitted,
, Secretary
Steve Oston