HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-03 Council on Aging Minutes Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - commission - Council: 2111 SEP 21 PM 5: 41
Council on Aging
Date: 2017-04-03 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, Sally Hoyt, John Parsons, Thomas
Procopio, Sandy Shaffer, Marilyn Shapleigh, Brian Snell, George Wetmore,
Pooja Parsons (Associate Member), Jayna Stafford (Associate Member), lane
Burns (Admin)
Members - Not Present:
Kevin Walsh (Associate Member)
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Marilyn Shapleigh
Topics of Discussion:
Call to Order: 6:34 by Thomas Procopio.
Acceptance of March Minutes: Marilyn Shapleigh noted that during the March COA meeting
the Minutes, Elder Services Report and Financial Report for February were accepted. The
March meeting draft minutes incorrectly characterized these items as January minutes and
reports. Sandy Shaffer noted an error in recording her name in her motion to second the
motion to adjourn the March meeting. Minutes accepted as corrected.
Elder Services March Report (Admin): Jane Burns presented the report. Accepted.
Financial March Report(Admin): Jane Burns presented the report. Accepted.
MVES Report (Brian Snell): MVES held its annual legislative breakfast on the previous
Tuesday. The objective was to engage in a dialogue to make sure that the legislators
understand the MVES agenda -- Mr. Snell reported that"they do".
Old Business:
Alzheimer Friendly Community Research (Jolyn Ek/Marilyn Shapleigh): Ms. Shapleigh
reported on Internet research she conducted about the American Association of Retired
Persons, (A.A.R.P.), national network of Age-Friendly Communities. She explained that the
program works with local officials and partner organizations to identify communities for
membership in the network based on 8 dimensions. A World Health Publication entitled
"Global Age-Friendly Cities: A Guide" describes the background for the program and
includes checklists of factors to consider in establishing an age-friendly community. Ms.
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Shapleigh recommended that she send the link to Jane Burns to circulate so that all COA
members could download and read this document and discuss it at the next COA meeting.
Ms. Ek informed the group that she is currently is training to be a hospice volunteer at Care
Dimensions. Mary Crowe, RN, of Care Dimensions would be available to come to the Center
and speak to the Community regarding dementia.
It was agreed that Council members should review the material from AARP and see if this is
compatible with the Town. It was also agreed that the Council would no longer pursue the
Purple Angel designation and focus on other resources.
New Business:
Birthday Cakes Funding Request:
Motion to approve $300 from the Burbank Fund to purchase birthday cakes for the
Pleasant Street Center was made by Brian Snell, seconded by John Parson. No discussion,
all in favor.
Outside Groups at PSC: Mr. Snell reported that the Rotary Club wants to come and offer
lunch at the Center several times throughout the year. The Rotary would also conduct a
short meeting prior to the lunch. When requesting this event, he found there were
numerous obstacles to overcome. He would like to find easier ways to allow other groups to
come into the Center.
The Administrator explained that outside groups are required to apply for a Food Permit
from the Board of Health. The kitchen at the Center is only permitted for Mystic Valley
Elder Services. She also explained that the Kitchen Volunteers are Mystic Volunteers and
are not obligated to work meals for outside groups. The staff is also not able to set-up,
serve and clean-up for outside organizations and finally there is not room in the budget to
fund supplies for all the dinners. When the COA sponsors a dinner the Administrator applies
for a food permit and part of the funding of the dinner covers supplies.
Outside groups who have historically come to the Center to host a dinner are aware of this
and have welcomed the opportunity to cover all aspects of the event.
Other New Business: Mr. Wetmore suggested we start thinking long range and what would
benefit the community in the long term particularly in regards to a new Sr. Center. It was
agreed that the Needs Assessment was the first step in this long-term planning.
The needs assessment is scheduled to be delivered to the Selectman on lune 13`h."
Upcoming Events: The two Community Forums are scheduled for April 19 at 1:00 pm and
5:30 pm. The Volunteer Dinner is April 20 at 5:00 pm.
Adjourned: by Brian Snell at 7:41 pm .
Next COA Meeting: May 8, 2017 at 6:30.
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