HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-19 Council On Aging Minutes
Council on Aging Board Meeting
Monday, October 19, 2009
Reading Senior Center - Game Room
Present
: Stacey Bertocchi, Steve Oston, Marguerite Bosnian, Erica Deane, Margaret
Havey, George Lonergan, Gina Nelson, Carol Oniskey, Carole Scrima, Dawn Folopoulos
(Staff).
Excused Absence:
SallyHoyt
Call to Order:
6:43 PM.
Minutes: A
pproved for September 14, 2009 with a change: the Finance Committee
liaisons are now Kevin Leyne and Matt Wilson.
Administrator’s Report:
Approved.
The new Community Services Director, Jean Delios, may change the format of
future Administrative monthly reports.
There are currently three candidate organizations still considering running the
Adopt-a-Family Program: the Rotary Club, the Young Women’s League and the
Neighbors and Newcomers.
The Administrator had breakfast with State Senator Richard Tisei; the
conversation centered on the needs of seniors in Reading. The Council asked the
Administrator how well we actually know these needs and how often do our
representatives in government take action on them. Gina, from her work with
Rep. Tierney, suggested that 25 letters from constituents generally trigger a
response from the legislature.
Financial Report:
Approved.
Steve suggested that Annual Upgrade and Support fee for the Myseniorcenter
software be withheld from the contractor until the software was made operational.
The Council voted 8-0-1 to support spending in the amount of $199 from the
Burbank Trust Fund to purchase holiday greeting cards for local elder care
providers, senior center instructors, financial sponsors and others. The cards will
contain a small calendar and the Elder Services’ logo.
The Council voted 9-0-0 to support spending in the amount of $100 from the
Burbank Fund to renew our RCTV annual membership.
Old Business:
The FY09 Financial Summary was explained by the Administrator
A discussion on raising the non-expendable amount in the Burbank Trust Fund
(currently set at $250,000) was continued from the previous meeting. There was
an unofficial consensus that although adjusting that non-expendable amount to
account for inflation had merit, it was not a critical decision at the present time
because our income generally exceeded our expenditures. The limit was not
changed.
Five Council members volunteered to distribute Thanksgiving hot meals to
seniors that are spending the holiday alone. The suggestion was made to remind
clients by telephone the previous day so that food would not be wasted.
New Business:
Funding for the now vacant COV position will not be considered by Town
Meeting in November as the anticipated Town fiscal situation has deteriorated
since last spring.
There is a conflict between the first Town Meeting date (November 9) and the
scheduled November COA meeting. Our next meeting will be November 10.
George provided material on the Tufts Lifelong Learning Program, which
Reading could emulate in order to attract baby boomer-aged seniors to participate
in Senior Center activities. The Administrator suggested that Reading’s
Continuing Education Program might be interested. George will contact the
program leader.
Council members were asked by the Administrator if there was interest in filling a
vacant position on the Mystic Valley Elder Services Board of Directors. Details
on that post and Board meetings were provided. MVES committees, such as
fundraising, oversight and finance, were also seeking members.
Adjournment:
8:10 PM.
Next meeting:
November 10, 2009.
Respectfully Submitted,
Steve Oston, Secretary