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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-10-17 Council On Aging Minutes Council on Aging Board Meeting October 17, 2011 Reading Senior Center Game Room Present: Steve Oston, Carol Oniskey, Margaret Havey, Carole Scrima, Erica Deane, Marguerite Bosnian, Richard Cardillo (Staff) Absent: Sally Hoyt, Dolly DeRosa Call to Order: 6:31 PM Minutes: Accepted and Approved for September 2011 Elder Services Report: Accepted and Approved for September 2011 Financial Report: Accepted and Approved for September 2011 Old Business:  Chair discussed the conduct expected in meetings and the need for all guests to wait until the Board has completed their discussions before commenting.  Chair provided an update on the Administrator’s position.  Chair noted that after losing the Volunteer Coordinator position and cutting the Administrator’s position from full-time to part-time that the town is lower than the average of Massachusetts communities in per capita expenditures for seniors.  Chair discussed senior center visits made to Saugus and Wakefield and noted the obvious limitations of a converted building versus a building built specifically for a senior center. Chair also noted that in-house meal preparation was not economical in Saugus or Wakefield either, the head of the senior center is also the Administrator in both locations and that the staff offices are located in the senior centers, not in separate buildings.  Thanksgiving dinners were discussed and Board members signed up for meal delivery. Carol Oniskey to send out email requesting additional volunteers.  Chair notified the Board that the date of the November meeting must be changed th to November 15 due to a conflict with Town Meeting.  Chair clarified fundraising and “Friends of” issue for the Board by stating that others in the town, not the Council on Aging, can form a “Friends of” however Board members cannot do so due to the fact that the Council on Aging is a town organization. The issue of conflicts arising in regards to money expenditure if a “Friends of” was to be formed was also discussed. Chair also noted that the Patrons group, which was a “Friends” type organization, decided not to continue and that we do have several trust funds in Reading to supplement Town funds.  The discussion regarding the Consultant’s report from 2004 was deferred to the next meeting due to council members’ inability to open the email and obtain the report. New Business:  Richard Cardillo stated that he is currently updating and revising the Member Handbook.  Chair stated that he will post a Council vacancies notice at the Senior Center.  Richard Cardillo stated that there is a COA training session in Melrose on th November 4 2011 at 235 W. Foster Street. Board members Margaret Havey and Marguerite Bosnian volunteered to attend the training session and report back to the Council.  Vice Chair updated the Board on the donation of a Keurig coffee machine for the senior center. Keurig agreed to donate a machine to the senior center and the donation was approved by the Town Manager. Vice Chair awaiting clarification of type/size of machine from Keurig. A donation of 25 cents per cup will be necessary to cover the k cup costs. If the donations do not cover the cost, funds to come from Trust funds.  A request was made by Richard Cardillo for $199.06 to be distributed from the Burbank Trust Fund for Auto-Mated Stereos to fix the Elder Service’s Van Radio. nd A motion was made by Margaret Havey and 2 by Carole Scrima. The vote of the Board was 6-0 in favor.  A request was made by Richard Cardillo for $375.00 to be distributed from the Schroeder Trust Fund to purchase Thanksgiving meals from Boston Market for nd homebound seniors. A motion was made by Carol Oniskey and 2 by Marguerite Bosnian. The vote of the Board was 6-0 in favor.  Board reviewed and agreed with the letter from the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen in her interpretation of the General Bylaw regarding absenteeism.  Richard Cardillo assured the Council that the Adopt-A-Family Program is in place and is expected to run smoothly for the Holidays. Adjournment: 7:51 PM Next Meeting: November 15, 2011 Respectfully Submitted, Erica Deane, Secretary