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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-09 Council On Aging Minutes M mPR� Town of Reading 5 it Meeting Minutes REC eiVEI] TOWN CLERK a' ,•�,• REACHN' G. MA. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: v gill DEC 16 PM 2: 56 Council on Aging Date: 2012-04-09 Time: 6:30 PM Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Location: Address: 49 Pleasant Street Session: Purpose: Version: Attendees: Members - Present: Steve Oston, Carol Oniskey, Margaret Havey, Erica Deane, Dolly DeRosa, Jean Prato, Kevin Walsh, Carole Scrima, Sally Hoyt, Jane Burns (Staff) Members - Not Present: Marguerite Bosnian Others Present: John Arena, Selectman Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Topics of Discussion: Call to Order: 6:33 PM Minutes: Accepted and Approved for February 2012 and March 2012 Elder Services Report: Accepted and Approved for March 2012 Financial Report: Accepted and Approved for March 2012 Old Business: • Chairman provided an update on the FY13 budget to be presented to Town Meeting this month. The proposed budget maintains the current staffing for Elder Services at 3.8 full-time equivalents and will level fund Division expenses. • Administrator provided a MVES update and stated that Bill Hecht is working on a wine tasting fundraising event for the Reading/North Reading area in August. • Administrator updated the Board in regards to Friends and Family Day on June 16'"2012. Chair intends to form a subcommittee for the event due to Administrator's need for assistance with story boards,organizing schedule and drawings. Initial meeting for subcommittee set for April 2V at 10 AM at the Senior Center. Board Members encouraged to contact Administrator if they are able to assist with the planning or execution of the day. • The Easter dinner delivery to homebound seniors received excellent feedback. Seniors were very appreciative of the meals and the baked goods; Dinners were provided by Personal Chef and Catering (due to the spontaneous closing of Boston Markel)and Sammy Jo's Bakery. • Administrator updated the Board on the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and stated that to date she had 68 confirmed guests with multiple speakers. • Chairman discussed senior center visits with the Board and the importance of seeing other town's senior centers for comparison. New Business: • Administrator explained the value of the Everbridge System and how it can be used specifically for Elder Service announcements.Administrator encouraged Council members to visit the town's website to sign-up for Community Alerts for valuable information and important announcements made via phone,text or email. Page 1 1 • Administrator stated that she would be analyzing the current programs at the senior center in an effort to create new and different groups/programs for Reading seniors. Administrator requested that Council members contact her with any ideas for new programs as soon as possible. • Administrator discussed possibility of asking Jordan's Furniture design team to send someone as a courtesy to look at the senior centers design/floor plan/colors etc. and offer suggestions:as well as utilizing the Reading Art Association for art lessons and/or donations of art for the senior center. Vice-Chair Carol Oniskey volunteered to make preliminary calls and to report back to the Board. • Board discussed the possibility of a thrift shop in the senior center and Administrator stated that she intended to speak with the Town Manager in regards to regulations. • Selectman John Arena introduced himself to the Board as the new Liaison to the Council on Aging and stated that he intends to attend as many Council meetings as possible and is always available by phone. • Board discussed the importance as well as the expense of the Shingles vaccination. Board members suggested negotiating with Lahey Clinic or local drugstores in an attempt to reduce the cost for seniors. Adjournment: 7:58 PM Next Meeting: May 14, 2012 Respectfully Submitted, Erica Deane, Secretary Page 1 2 Council on Aging Board Meeting April 9, 2012 Reading Senior Center Game Room Present: Steve Oston, Carol Oniskey, Margaret Havey, Erica Deane, Dolly DeRosa, Jean Prato, Kevin Walsh, Carole Scrima, Sally Hoyt, Jane Burns (Staff) Absent: Marguerite Bosnian Guest: John Arena, Selectman Call to Order: 6:33 PM Minutes: Accepted and Approved for February 2012 and March 2012 Elder Services Report: Accepted and Approved for March 2012 Financial Report: Accepted and Approved for March 2012 Old Business: • Chairman provided an update on the FYI budget to be presented to Town Meeting this month. The proposed budget maintains the current staffing for Elder Services at 3.8 full-time equivalents and will level fund Division expenses. • Administrator provided a MVES update and stated that Bill Hecht is working on a wine tasting fundraising event for the Reading/North Reading area in August. • Administrator updated the Board in regards to Friends and Family Day on June 16th 2012. Chair intends to form a subcommittee for the event due to Administrator's need for assistance with story boards, organizing schedule and drawings. Initial meeting for subcommittee set for April 25th at 10 AM at the Senior Center. Board Members encouraged to contact Administrator if they are able to assist with the planning or execution of the day. • The Easter dinner delivery to homebound seniors received excellent feedback. Seniors were very appreciative of the meals and the baked goods; Dinners were provided by Personal Chef and Catering (due to the spontaneous closing of Boston Market) and Sammy Jo's Bakery. • Administrator updated the Board on the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and stated that to date she had 68 confirmed guests with multiple speakers. • Chairman discussed senior center visits with the Board and the importance of seeing other town's senior centers for comparison. New Business: • Administrator explained the value of the Everbridge System and how it can be used specifically for Elder Service announcements. Administrator encouraged Council members to visit the town's website to sign-up for Community Alerts for valuable information and important announcements made via phone, text or email. • Administrator stated that she would be analyzing the current programs at the senior center in an effort to create new and different groups/programs for Reading seniors. Administrator requested that Council members contact her with any ideas for new programs as soon as possible. • Administrator discussed possibility of asking Jordan's Furniture design team to send someone as a courtesy to look at the senior centers design/floor plan/colors etc. and offer suggestions; as well as utilizing the Reading Art Association for art lessons and/or donations of art for the senior center. Vice-Chair Carol Oniskey volunteered to make preliminary calls and to report back to the Board. • Board discussed the possibility of a thrift shop in the senior center and Administrator stated that she intended to speak with the Town Manager in regards to regulations. • Selectman John Arena introduced himself to the Board as the new Liaison to the Council on Aging and stated that he intends to attend as many Council meetings as possible and is always available by phone. • Board discussed the importance as well as the expense of the Shingles vaccination. Board members suggested negotiating with Lahey Clinic or local drugstores in an attempt to reduce the cost for seniors. Adjournment: 7:58 PM Next Meeting: May 14, 2012 Respectfully Submitted, Erica Deane, Secretary