HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-15 Council On Aging Minutes
Council on Aging Board Meeting
Tuesday November 15, 2011
Reading Senior Center Game Room
Present:
Carol Oniskey, Margaret Havey, Carole Scrima, Erica Deane, Marguerite Bosnian, Sally
Hoyt, Dolly DeRosa, Jean Prato, Jane Burns (Staff)
Absent:
Steve Oston
Guests:
Kevin Walsh
Call to Order:
6:29 PM
Minutes:
Accepted and Approved for October 2011
Elder Services Report:
Accepted and Approved for October 2011
Financial Report:
Deferred to December meeting so that new Administrator can become orientated
and more familiar with report.
Old Business:
Vice Chair provided an update on the Administrator’s position and introduced Jane Burns as
the new Administrator for Elder Services. After a brief introduction, Jane encouraged and
welcomed the Boards suggestions, comments and/or criticism; and all agreed that we look
forward to working with Jane on behalf of Reading Seniors.
Vice Chair provided an update on the COA vacancies and stated that Jean Prato has been
approved by the Board of Selectmen as a new member of the Council on Aging and will fill
one of the two previously vacant seats on the Board.
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Vice Chair distributed and reviewed minutes from the November 3 2011 Financial Report
Meeting for the Boards information. Meeting discussed proper use of money relating to
Burbank, Schroeder and Patrons Fund.
Vice Chair reviewed the Thanksgiving meal deliveries and distributed the respective routes to
volunteering Board members.
Christmas meal deliveries were discussed and Board members signed up for the Christmas Eve
delivery. Additional volunteers are needed and Board members were asked to contact Carol
Oniskey if interested.
Vice Chair updated the Board on the donation of a Keurig commercial grade coffee machine
for the Senior Center. The Keurig machine has been very well received by the seniors.
The Consultant’s Report from 2004 discussion was deferred to the December meeting in an
attempt to include the Chair in the discussion.
Board Members Margaret Havey and Marguerite Bosnian reported back to the Board on the
COA Training that they attended at the Melrose Senior Center on November 4, 2011.
Highlights/suggestions included; attempt to get seniors into the public eye by using cable
television and local newspapers; Idea of senior brown bag pharmacy; Option of volunteer
drivers opting to donate mileage reimbursements to Senior Center; Making sure all questions
from incoming calls to Senior Center are answered immediately or within 24 hrs. if additional
information needed; Allow baby boomers to attend Senior Center classes for nominally higher
fee.
Administrator discussed the Senior Center’s attempt to raise money for the Mass. Tornado
Victims. A jar for donations has not been successful; however due to the Council on Aging
being a town organization, the Board is unable to fundraise.
Administrator provided an update on the elder service van radio and stated that the radio is not
working as hoped and that an additional fender mount antenna is needed to obtain better
reception.
New Business:
A request was made by Jane Burns for $73.00 to be distributed from the Burbank Trust Fund to
Auto-Mated Stereos for a fender mount antenna for the elder service van. A motion was made
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by Marguerite Bosnian and 2 by Carole Scrima. The vote of the Board was 8-0 in favor.
Board requested Administrator clarify warranty on the fender mount antenna from Auto-Mated
Stereos.
A request was made by Jane Burns for $375.00 to be distributed from the Schroeder Trust Fund
to purchase Christmas meals from Boston Market for homebound seniors. A motion was made
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by Carole Scrima and 2 by Dolly DeRosa. The vote of the Board was 8-0 in favor.
Administrator stated that the elder service’s van driver offered and intends to add additional
stores (i.e. a Woburn Kohls and Target trip as well as a Woburn Mall trip) into his shopping
trips next month.
Administrator discussed with the Board the potential need to rent a van if the elder service van
has an emergency and is out of service. In the past the town has been able to borrow a van
from Peter Sanborn Place; however if a van is not available from Peter Sanborn, then
Stoneham Ford has a comparable van available for rent at the rate of $100.00 a day. Board
asked that the Administrator check into the town’s insurance policy regarding rentals and
discussed the need to cap the amount spent for a van rental.
Vice Chair nominated Mr. William Hecht Sr. as a member of the Board of Directors of Mystic
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Valley Elder Services. Margaret Havey 2 the motion for nomination and the Board voted 8-0
in favor. Vice Chair to invite Mr. Hecht to December meeting.
FY11 Elder Services Report was deferred to December’s meeting so that new Administrator
can become orientated and more familiar with report.
Vice Chair asked Board to brainstorm ideas for 2012 events to bring more seniors and/or baby
boomers to the Senior Center and bring ideas to next meeting.
The need for a donation of a monthly birthday cake was discussed. Jean Prato offered to check
with Market Basket and report back to the Board. Current gift cards for cake purchases will
end in January.
A request was made by Jane Burns for $300.00 to be distributed from the Burbank Trust Fund
to purchase (60) $5.00 CVS Gift Cards given to seniors at their birthday luncheon. A motion
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was made by Carole Scrima and 2 by Erica Deane. The vote of the Board was 8-0 in favor.
Adjournment: 7:56 PM
Next Meeting: December 12, 2011
Respectfully Submitted, Erica Deane, Secretary