HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-14 Council on Aging Minutes Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
T:C)'da'N ^ L'r zK
R E ".'
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Council on Aging NA OCT - I PM 3-- 23
Date: 2018-05-14 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,
Marilyn Shapleigh, Brian Snell, Sandy Shaffer, Sally Hoyt (Associate
Member),Pooja Parsons (Associate Member), Jayna Stafford (Associate
Member), Jane Burns (Admin),
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Marilyn Shapleigh
Topics of Discussion:
Call to Order: 6:32 by Brian Snell.
Acceptance of Minutes from 4/9/2018: John Parsons made a motion to accept the April
minutes. Thomas Procopio Seconded. All approved. Accepted.
Elder Services April Report (Admin): Accepted.
Financial April Report(Admin): Shroeder has overspent this year's interest so far by about
$57.81, but we expect to make it up by year-end. Burbank will probably break about even.
Patrons has overspent this year's interest by $2810.65 so far. We have 3 more months of
interest to earn, but we'll still be overspent by end of the fiscal year; this is ok because
we've underspent in the past, but it's something to keep in mind when we discuss future
dinners and programs. Accepted.
MVES Report (Brian Snell): Fundraiser 6/9 at the Greater Boston Stage Company -
Calendar Girls. Bylaw committee is doing a bylaw review that will ultimately reduce the
number of Board members from 43 to 34. Instead of 3 people per town there will be 2 per
town plus 13 at-large members to ensure a good cross-section of talent on the board for
management oversight and fund raising.
Old Business:
Volunteer Dinner Recap: Numbers were down and state legislators did not attend. Jane
Burns is looking for new ideas to change it up. We have 103 volunteers. About 50
attended. In the past, about 60 have attended. Discussion included looking at what other
towns do (e.g., brunches) or considering a different venue or timing.
Page 1 1
Staffing Update: An ice cream social is scheduled for 6/28 to celebrate Sharon Thomas's
upcoming retirement. Recruitment for the Coordinator position is underway; the hours have
been increased to 37.5. Jane Burns will be temporarily moving her office to the Pleasant
Street Center until the position is filled. Jane Burns' hours will increase to 37.5 on 7/1.
Dementia Friendly Reading: Awarded a $4,000 grant from the Mass Council on Aging to
cover start-up costs (build a website, logo design, outreach materials, posters, Flyers,
window stickers, etc.) The grant money must be spent by 6/29/2018. Jane Burns will be
presenting to the Board of Selectman on 6/19, at 7:30 -- COA representation at that
meeting would be helpful. They have hired a coordinator, Meghan Putney, for 20 hours per
month - funded by DKJ. A work plan is in our packets. The library has scheduled another
Dementia Friends event on 6/11 (1:00-2:00). COA members are encouraged to sign up for
the event to receive training. Dementia Friends Champion training will follow the Dementia
Friends training (2:00-3:00). There is also a monthly working group meeting this month
that will be focused on draft poster and website development.
25"'Anniversary Planning: John Parsons has been very successful raising funds. Additional
money has been promised. Sponsors who committed by last Thursday will have their logo
on the flyer. A sign board will be posted thanking sponsors ($200+) and donors. Letters of
appreciation and a Chronicle piece will also be prepared. We have about $1k of funds to
play with at the moment after planned expenses. lane Burns is working on green t-shirts
(about 25) for volunteers to wear at the event. Reusable grocery bags are being priced as
give-aways. People available to volunteer should email availability to Jane Burns (Sunday
6/10 from 3:00-5:00, Jane Burns will assign a station).
Guardianship - Sally Hoyt: Massachusetts rewrote the guardianship bill and held a hearing.
Unfortunately they added an immunity clause that protects the guardian, but not the ward.
There has been a great deal of opposition to the immunity clause, but the judiciary
committee would not remove the clause -- they had planned to release the bill by 5/4 with
their decision, but they sent it to the Study Committee instead, essentially killing the bill.
New Business:
PSC Master Plan: Approximately $19k is available for PSC improvements (from Facilities
budget plus donations). Jane Burns put together a plan for: painting the lower level, new
computer room furniture, reworking the reception desk to be ADA compliant, new lighting
and work space in the reception area, and new chairs in the great room. The Town Manager
approved the plan. Painting and furniture are expected in time for the anniversary.
Branding Initiative: The town has undertaken a new branding initiative and will be rolling
out a new look and colors. Elder Services would also like to rebrand itself by developing a
look that would have a more youthful appearance than the current fire house hose tower
image. The new look would take us forward into the next generation and new building.
Volunteers who would like to help are asked to contact Jane Burns.
Summer Programing: Thai Chi and Meditation are taking July &Aug off and Yoga is taking
Aug off, so programming will be a bit light in July & Aug. lane Burns is looking at adding a
few events such as movies or a PBS series. A suggestion was made to reach out to schools
to see if there are students who might like to perform (and earn volunteer hours).
Summer Dinners: We've overspent the current year interest from Patrons, and Sharon
Thomas is leaving, so staff and money are short. Consequently, Jane Burns is inclined to
cancel the lobster dinner this summer. We can still do the Chinese dinner in August. The
COA discussed these plans and expressed support for Ms. Burns' proposals.
Adjourned: Motion to adjourn by John Parsons. Seconded by Thomas Procopio. All in
favor. Adjourned at 8:05.
Next COAMeeting: Monday, June 11, 2018.
Page 1 2