HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-06-08 Council On Aging Minutes
Council on Aging Board Meeting
Monday, June 8, 2009
Reading Senior Center Game Room
Present
: Stacey Bertocchi, Sally Hoyt, Steve Oston, Marguerite Bosnian,
Margaret Havey, George Lonergan, Carol Oniskey, Carol Patterson, Barbara
Powers, Carole Scrima, Dawn Folopoulos (Staff).
Call to Order:
6:45 PM.
Thanks and farewell to retiring members Barbara Powers and Carol
Patterson for years of dedicated service to the Council.
Minutes:
approved and accepted for the May 11, 2009 meeting.
Administrator’s Report:
approved and accepted.
A brief discussion took place on the difficulties of bringing high school
students and seniors together for intergenerational programs. Such
intergenerational programs are, however, generally successful.
George requested an update on the Coordinator of Volunteers position.
Hiring has currently been postponed owing to a potentially large
reduction in State funding for cities and towns. Sally offered insight
into the budget process.
Financial Report:
approved and accepted.
Staff informed the Council that the earlier estimate of $6,285
remaining unused from the Burbank Fund (see January 7, 2009 COA
minutes) was probably very conservative. Interest income will be
higher; expenditures on birthday cakes, Pleasantries postage and
advertising in the Recreation Newsletter will be lower than expected.
It was moved and seconded to authorize the expenditure of $270.26
from the Burbank Trust Account to purchase a new letter board for the
Senior Center lobby. The current board is in poor condition. The
motion carried 10-0-0.
It was moved and seconded to authorize the expenditure of up to
$50.00 from the Burbank Trust Account to purchase supplies for the
COA table at Friends and Family Day 2009. The motion carried
10-0-0.
Old Business:
Staff reviewed member assignments for Friends and Family Day 2009
and handed out a detailed instruction sheet and time schedule. One
member is expected to attend the June 10 informational meeting at
Old South Church.
Discount Directory for seniors was published with the June issue of
Pleasantries. Steve said that three businesses have complained that the
directory did not reflect their current policy toward discounts.
Improved quality control for the Directory will be initiated next year.
The Council continued discussion on the need for an automatic door
opener for the Senior Center front entranceway. The Council
reaffirmed its support for the concept and did not see the need for a
feasibility study. Staff will provide updated cost figures next fall. It
was recommended to contact other senior centers for information on
their needs for and utilization of handicap-friendly doors.
Staff provided a one-year review of the Presenter’s Policy, suggested
in part by a Council subcommittee. This policy governs both profit
and non-profit organizations and encourages presentation of
informational rather than sales material to our seniors.
New Business:
Annual elections for Council officers were conducted. Stacey, Sally,
and Steve were reelected without opposition to the positions of Chair,
Vice-chair and Secretary, respectively.
Copies of the slides for the Nurse Advocate presentation to the BOS
on May 5 of this year were handed out by Staff.
Staff also provided the Council, upon request, with information
describing the size of Reading’s senior population and their utilization
of Elder Services.
Sally spoke against the potential retesting of elder drivers in MA.
Adjournment:
8:32 PM.
The next meeting will be September 14, with no meeting in July and August.
Respectfully Submitted,
, Secretary
Steve Oston