HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-14 Council On Aging Minutes
Council on Aging Board Meeting
May 14, 2012
Reading Senior Center Game Room
Present:
Steve Oston, Carol Oniskey, Margaret Havey, Erica Deane, Jean Prato, Kevin
Walsh, Carole Scrima, Sally Hoyt, Jane Burns (Staff)
Absent:
Marguerite Bosnian, Dolly DeRosa
Guests:
Peter Hechenbleikner Town Manager, Bill Hecht
Call to Order:
6:30 PM
Minutes:
Accepted and Approved for April 2012
Elder Services Report:
Accepted and Approved for April 2012
Financial Report:
Accepted and Approved for April 2012
* The Chair reported a net outflow of $115.00 from our three available trust funds
during the month of April.
Old Business:
Administrator reported that the Nurse Advocate has returned to her full-time
schedule (20 hours a week) and will continue her outreach programs.
Administrator reported that the number of lunch participants had decreased
dramatically in April. Administrator intends to look further into this issue for an
explanation and report back to the Board.
Chair requested that Board members notify him of their intentions if their term of
office is expiring in June.
Chair reminded Board members to think about positions for officers for next year.
Chair stated that he intended to meet with the Cities for Climate Protection
Program Committee in an attempt to discuss working together on a program for
seniors.
Chair reported that Representative Dwyer stated that he had the ability to obtain
speakers and that he may have a potential source of funds. Rep. Dwyer stated to
feel free to contact him if he can be of assistance in either of these areas.
Board discussed Friends and Family Day and chose a Banner and a sunscreen
give away.
A motion was made by Steve Oston to withdraw up to $450.00 from the Burbank
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Fund for expenses for Friends and Family Day. The motion was 2 by Carole
Scrima and the vote of the Board was 8-0 in favor.
MVES Representative Bill Hecht distributed and reviewed pamphlets in regards
to MVES and the MVES Gap Fund with the Board.Bill Hecht also updated the
Board on a MVES outreach fundraising event at the Wine Bunker in Reading on
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August 23 2012 from 5:30-7:30 to promote MVES awareness.
Carol Oniskey updated the Board on the Decorating Initiative for the Senior
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Center and stated that a meeting will be held on Thursday May 17 at 9AM at the
Senior Center with Jeannette Corbett from the Reading Art Association. Carol
Oniskey also reported that she intended to attempt to contact Jordan Furniture’s
Design Center once again due to their lack of response to date.
New Business:
Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner discussed the possibility of changing the
number of Council on Aging Board members from 10 to a range of 7-11
members. Peter Hechenbleikner stated that this would give the Council flexibility
when it came to obtaining a quorum (50%+1) during years when the level of
interest is lower and the Council has empty seats. The Board of Selectman could
(with approximately 2 weeks notice) lower the number of members on the
Council within the range so that a quorum could more easily be reached by the
Council. This change to the Reading Home Rule Charter would entail approval by
Town Meeting next November at the earliest.
Board agreed to defer the discussion in regards to adjusting the number of board
members on the Council on Aging to the June meeting.
Administrator discussed the possibility of a clambake this summer as a new
special evening event for seniors. Board agreed it was an excellent idea and
discussed the possibility of obtaining entertainment, outdoor tents for heat and/or
rain, and the lobster roll menu.
A motion was made by Steve Oston to withdraw up to $600.00 from the Patrons
for Older Adults Fund for the Summer Clambake at the Senior Center. The
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motion was 2 by Kevin Walsh and the vote of the Board was 8-0 in favor.
Administrator asked Board members to contact her if available to volunteer on
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Friends and Family Day on June 16.
Adjournment: 8:18 PM
Next Meeting: June 11, 2012
Respectfully Submitted, Erica Deane, Secretary