HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-19 Council on Aging Minutes OFq
Town of Reading
3 a Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Council on Aging 3611 NOV 28 PM 3100
Date: 2016-09-19 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Location: Arts and Crafts Room
Address: 49 Pleasant Street
Purpose: Session: General Session
Attendees: Members - Present:
Jolyn Ek, Margaret Havey, Sally Hoyt, Steve Oston, John Parsons, Thomas
Procopio, Sandy Shaffer, Marilyn Shapleigh, Brian Snell, Pooja Parsons
(Associate Member), Jane Burns (Admin)
Members - Not Present:
Kevin Walsh
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Marilyn Shapleigh
Topics of Discussion:
Call to Order: 6:33 by Brian Snell
Acceptance of June 1P &June 27'^ Minutes: Pooja Parsons noted a misspelling of Brian
Snell's name. Motion to accept by Sandy Shaffer, Second by John Parsons. All in favor.
Minutes accepted.
Elder Services June/July/August Report(Admin): Presented. Accepted.
Financial lune/July/August Report(Admin): Ms. Burns explained that the reports sent out
to Council members prior to our meeting had been generated before the fiscal year numbers
were final. Consequently a few numbers need to be corrected as noted below.
Burbank Report: On page 2 of the Burbank FY 2016 13 report:
• Interest was $8,897.43.
• Available budget was $259,554.35.
The amount spent, $13,036 was correct. We overspent Interest by just over $4,000 (new
blinds expenditure). In FY14 and FY12 we underspent. In FY13 and FYSS we overspent.
The principal has however grown substantially since fund was established. The town has
$7,000 left from FY16 and will spend that on the needs assessment before touching
Burbank funds for this purpose, so it is unlikely that we will overspend Burbank interest this
year for the needs assessment (The current estimate for needs assessment is $7,800).
For Burbank 2017 13, the original appropriation should be $259,554.35.
Patrons Fund Report: For FY 2016,
• Interest should be $4,864.74.
• Ending year available budget was $14,455.62.
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For FY 16, the report indicates that we overspent interest by $362.45 because of New Year's
Party and trips. (Note: the lobster roll is posted in FY16 and should have been posted to
FY37, so we didn't actually overspend In FY2016.)
Historically we have always underspent by $SK to $3K. Projections for 2017 show
approximately $6K In spending, including the trips, which is higher than the interest
amount. Patrons began at $126,482.00, but approximately $14K in interest has accrued
and is available. The starting figure for FY 17 is $14,455.62. To date we've spent $590,
mostly on trips and the lobster roll dinner.
Schroeder Fund Report: For FY 2016,
• Interest should be $789.80.
• Available budget is $13,234.73 for fy17 (and year end FY 2016).
The FY 17, starting amount is $13,234.73 and we used Schroeder over the summer - funds
for meals/food during heat wave for frail seniors at risk of dehydration (e.g., popsicles,
gator aid, and Ice).
June. July, and August financial reports presented and accepted.
MVES Report (Brian Snell): The annual meeting is scheduled for next week. Lots of
legislative issues are going on. MVES has been lobbying for an upgrade in the financial
eligibility level, but they've overspent their budget, so it's official, but there's a freeze on the
new level and people are going on wait lists until they qualify. lane Burns reported that the
nutrition program is having challenges...they are in desperate need of drivers for meals on
wheels. Drivers use their own vehicles. Hourly pay plus mileage. Ms. Burns will distribute
the job announcement to Council members.
Old Business:
MySeniorCenter: The system is up. COA Board members are now asked to scan In their
keytag and record volunteer hours. There will be 2 monthly drawings as an incentive for
volunteer and member use of system, respectively. Everyone is being asked to fill out an
emergency contact form which will be confidential and only used In emergency or if there's
a need for a wellness check on someone who is a "no show"for an activity they signed up
for but didn't attend.
Master Plan Update: The town has $7K for the project. The scope of work has been agreed
upon, and the Town attorney and UMass Boston attorneys are working on the contract. The
1" community meeting will probably be scheduled for November.
Review of Patron's Trips: lane Burns distributed a summary of trip costs for FY16 and FY17
YTD. We're on track to spend about $2,500 this year. People love the trips and they
typically sell out. Only 1 has been below capacity (and therefore was cancelled). A new
policy has been implemented...people can only sign up for themselves and 1 other person
when calling to sign up now, because friends were signing up people who were unaware
that they had been registered and consequently failed to show up. We are currently not
staffed to have more trips than currently offered. The override and needs assessment may
change this resource level, but Sharon Thomas's workload is a maximum capacity.
New Business:
Review of Special Town Meeting (Steve Oston B Brian Snell): Steve Oston and Brian Snell
reported on the special town meeting was held last week on subject of relief for real estate
taxes for financially need seniors. All 4 articles passed.
Security/Space at PSC: Tabled until Sept.
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Upcoming Events: Town manager Oct 51h Lunch & Learn. Oct 6`h police ham & bean
supper. Oct 60 lunchtime"day of memory"service and refreshments. Brian Snell
mentioned that the Rotary Club is working with the food pantry to deliver boxed meals to
needy elders. Jane Burns will talk to Kerry Valle about need.
Memory Cafi' Funding Request: The Memory Cafe is in line with the intent of the Schroeder
fund which allows expenditures of this type at the discretion of Elder/Human Services, so a
COA vote is not necessary. Ms. Burns Is also seeking sponsors for a month for refreshments
and entertainment. She has reached out to Residents at Pearl and Artis.
Adjourned Moved by Steve Oston, second by Tom Procopio at 8:10.
Next COA Meeting: October 17th at 6:30.
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