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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-11-17 Council On Aging Minutes Council on Aging Board Meeting November 17, 2010 Reading Senior Center Game Room Present : Steve Oston, Carol Oniskey, Marguerite Bosnian, Margaret Havey, Stacey Bertocchi, Sally Hoyt, and Dawn Folopoulos (Staff). Visitors: Dolly DeRosa Absent : Erica Deane, Carole Scrima, Gina Nelson Call to Order: . 6:30 PM Minutes: A pproved for September 13 and October 18, 2010 Administrator’s Report: Approved.  Clarification on the use of the Elder Services van for the METCO program was explained by the administrator. Elder Services bills RMHS’s METCO program directly for the use of van. Van is used for 2 pickups Monday thru Thursday.  Dawn spoke of medical equipment donation calls that Elder Services division receives- donor equipment is generally referred to the Masons of Malden, as the town does not have storage facilities. Financial Report: Approved.  COA board received the simplified/revised budget sheets as requested during the October meeting. New budget reports show only those figures that are applicable to COA business- i.e. Burbank Fund, Patrons Fund, and single line item of Elder Services salaries and expensed. The current report now shows monthly spending as well.  It was explained by Dawn that the Schroeder fund pays for both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner delivers to seniors in town. The cost is approximately $750 with the total allowed expenditure from the Schroeder fund capped at $1000 per year. The COA has no advisory or decision making authority about this fund.  There was discussion as to whether or not the amount of information in current simplified budget was enough for an overview of Elder Services monies pertaining to COA. Steve asked that the board discuss this again at the December meeting to see what, if any, additional information the COA members would like to have included in the COA budget sheets.  Dawn explained that the COA is an advisory board, and not a decision making board.  ($12.20 postage to return Burbank Trust Fund Spending: Motion to approve spending of $39.19 nd headset and $26.99 for bulletin board cork and frames for appreciation gifts) by Sally, 2 by Margaret. The vote was 6-0-0.  Chair and administrator suggested that each member review the 2009 Reading Elder/Human Services Annual Report and let the administrator know if there is any additional information the COA members would like included in the 2010 report before it is due in February. Old Business:  Carol O. talked about her visit to the Stoneham Senior Center and how information gathering from various local senior centers could help guide improvements and ideas for Reading Senior Center.  Margaret Havey shared information from her recent visit to a Connecticut Senior Center  Steve discussed his idea of the board working on a “discount column” to be put in future editions of the Pleasantries. The column would highlight local business discounts to seniors at no cost to the businesses.  There are currently 5 volunteers to deliver Thanksgiving meals. Dawn will advise volunteers of delivery addresses within the next few days.  The Adopt-an-Island at the senior center will be cleaned up by a volunteer.  Staff will conduct a short interest-survey at the Hillview Thanksgiving Dinner in an effort to get more seniors to come to the center. New Business:  The chair advised the board that there were no senior-related issues addressed at the last Town Meeting.  Margaret Havey has volunteered to take minutes for the December meeting. We are still in need of a permanent secretary from the board.  Dawn will be on vacation for the December meeting.  A review of revised budget sheets will be explored at December meeting. Adjournment: 8:10 Next meeting: December 13 - 6:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Marguerite Bosnian Carol Oniskey