HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-11 Council on Aging Minutes Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 214 SEP 21 PM 5: 51
Council on Aging
Date: 2017-09-11 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Location: Lounge Room
Address: 49 Pleasant Street
Purpose: Session: General Session
Attendees: Members - Present:
Joan Coco, Jolyn Ek, Margaret Havey, John Parsons, Thomas Procopio,
Sandy Shaffer, Marilyn Shapleigh, George Wetmore, Pooja Parsons
(Associate Member), lane Burns (Admin)
Members - Not Present:
Brian Snell, Sally Hoyt (Associate Member), Janya Stafford (Associate
Member)
Others Present:
Kenneth Brickhouse
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Marilyn Shapleigh
Topics of Discussion:
Call to Order: 6:33 by Thomas Procopio.
Acceptance of Minutes from 6/12/2017: Accepted.
Elder Services June/July/August Report (Admin): The "no seat saving policy' has been in
put into effect for bigger lunches not just for lunches to help make these events more
welcoming to all. The new "mindset" seems to be being accepted. The"van table" is also
working well. Reading's social service, nurse advocate, and meal statistics are rising as a
result of the reduction In Peter Sanborn services. Accepted.
Financial FY17 Year End&June/July/August Report(Admin): A drop of more than $1,000 in
Patrons expenditures in FY17 is attributable to the Chinese dinner having been moved to
Aug (i.e. FY 18). Burbank expenditures in FY17 were conservative to ensure that funds
which had been approved to help pay for the needs assessment if necessary would be
available, but it turned out that the COA funds were not necessary. As a result FY17
Burbank expenditures were well below the interest earned. Invoices for the needs
assessment project have been paid in full, so now the potential allocation of funds from
Burbank for that purpose is void. We overspent Schroeder by approx $140.00 due to costs
associated with the Memory Cafe start-up. In other years we've consistently underspent
because it has been a challenge to identify programs appropriate for use of the Schroeder
funds. The town budget is included in the packet as a point of reference for the COA as the
during the FY 18 budget process. Interest for July &August has not yet been posted.
Accepted.
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MVES Report(Jane Burns): It's not clear whether Bill Hecht will accept reappointment to
the MVES Board. Reading applied for a title 313 (Older Americans) grant and received a
$1,880.00 grant to fund the memory cafe for 1 year (Oct - Aug), and we're on the list to re-
apply going forward. This should cover entertainment and supplies. Participation in the
Memory Cafe is high, so the town may expand the program to twice a month. If we expand
to 2, next year we'll apply for double the amount of grant money.
Old Business:
Alzheimer Friendly/Age Friendly Community Research: The DKG foundation contacted
Jane Burns; they want to get involved in / look for ways to support a dementia friendly
initiative in Reading. A meeting is scheduled for 9/12 to brainstorm and strategize. The first
meeting will be followed up with a larger group meeting. Brian Snell, Marilyn Shapleigh,
and Jane Burns are scheduled to attend the first meeting.
There's a new report by the lJMass Department of Gerontology on Age and Dementia
Friendly Massachusetts. It's an all-inclusive approach, integrating dementia friendly
requirements with the overall age-friendly view.
Needs Assessment Next Steps: The study results will be used as a tool going forward. As a
result of the identified need for additional staff, Ms. Burn's hours have been increased to 30
for the remainder of the calendar year, and at the November town meeting Jean Delios will
be requesting a permanent increase to 35 hours effective January. If 35 hours are not
approved, Ms. Burns' hours will go back to 20 because funding for the current increase is
temporarily being derived from unfilled positions. The study has created a definite
awareness of the issues. Perhaps at a future meeting, the COA could address the facility
needs identified in the study by drafting a letter to send to the Selectmen requesting a
feasibility study for a new/expanded senior center/community center. During discussion,
COA members voiced particular concern about the report's statistics on Reading's low elder
services staffing levels compared to the comparison communities.
Dinner Review (Lobster Roll/Chinese): Great!
New Business:
Grant Potential: Reading Cooperative Bank has a charitable foundation and this year they
voted to spend 21% of their grant on elder services. They will award grants up to $10k for
program services or capital improvements. Jane Burns is drafting a proposal for new
computers and printers for the computer room and reception, an electronic bulletin board,
and tablets for Kerry Vallee and Alyse Warren to use at home visits to research, take notes,
and access information. The current computers are from 2009.
Birthday Lunches Funding Request: Ms. Burns requested $18 to reimburse an over-
expenditure from June plus more funding for FY18. Motion for $168 from Burbank by Jolyn
Ek. George Wetmore seconded. Discussion. We spent $118 last year. Joan Coco moved
that we allocate $200 from Burbank for Birthday lunches. Sandy Shaffer seconded. Jolyn
Ek withdrew her first motion. All in favor. Passed unanimously.
Patrons Trip Funding Review: In November 2015, Patrons started funding salary and fuel
for trips and the COA approved $400 per month. Trips are among the most popular
activities (typically 2/month). In July we did 3 and came close to $400. Motion to continue
the program authorizing continuation of trips from Patron, allocating $400/month, by John
Parsons. Seconded by Joan Ek. Discussion. All in favor. Passed unanimously.
Upcoming Events: October ham & bean supper. December 5th talk at the library about
medical marijuana. RiteAid flu clinics 10/12 and 11/13 at the Pleasant Street Center.
Adjourned: Adjourned by Thomas Procopio at 7:58.
Next COA Meeting: Octoberl6, 2017.
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