HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-21 Council on Aging Minutes orq�
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4° Town of Reading
= Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
F8+1 NOV 28 PN 3: 01
Council on Aging
Date: 2013-10-21 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Location: Arts and Crafts Room
Address: 49 Pleasant Street
Purpose: Monthly Volunteer Board Meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Steve Oston, Tom Procoppio, Erica Deane, Dolly DeRosa, Margaret Havey,
Christine Hansen, Carol Oniskey, Jane Burns (Admin.)
Members - Not Present:
Kevin Walsh, Sally Hoyt
Others Present:
Phyllis Maloney, Bill Hecht, MVES Representative
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Erica Deane
Topics of Discussion:
Acceptance of Minutes from September 9, 2013
Elder Services Report for September 2013 - Accepted and Approved
Financial Report for September 2013 - Accepted and Approved
Old Business:
Administrator reviewed 100+ birthday program and requested language approval for the
citation, guidance for gift, ideas for finding 100+ individuals in the community and
volunteers to present the citation/gift at the birthday celebration on November 18th. Ideas
Included: birthday gift basket or flowers, notifying nursing home Social Workers or Activity
Directors of the program, promoting the program in the newspapers, and utilizing the
Pleasantries publication. Steve Oston and Tom Procopplo volunteered to present the
approved citation on November 18d' to the 100+ recipient.
A motion was made by Christine Hansen to expend up to $40.00 from the Schroeder Fund
for the 100+ birthday gift. The motion was 2nd by Tom Procopplo and the motion passed
with 7-0 in favor.
Administrator provided the Board with a staffing update and reviewed a portion of a
proposal for the reorganization of the town hall staffing that was completed by the Town
Manager and is currently waiting for approval from Town Meeting. The proposal would staff
a part-time clerk for Elder Services (shared with the Town Manager's office) as well as
would adjust the Nurse Advocate's hours to 24 hours and train her as a Shine Counselor.
MVES representative Bill Hecht updated the Board on MVES on-going efforts and highlighted
3 main areas of focus. (1) This is the last year of the existing food contract. MVES Is
currently looking for feedback and Is concentrating discussions on meeting nutritional
standards with consideration for both taste and budget (2) MVES has acquired the ability to
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service 18-65 year old disabled adults who are eligible for Medicare and need services. (3)
MVES is currently working with 3 hospitals and has staffed a transition manager in the
facilities to help set-up services at discharge. MVES has already assisted in approx. 1000
discharges.
Christine Hansen volunteered to be the Secretary for the November meeting.
New Business:
Administrator stated that the number of congregate meals served continues to decrease and
requested suggestions from the Board for lunch programs/ideas that may attract new
seniors.
A motion was made by Carol Oniskey to allocate $200.00 from the.Burbank Fund to
replenish the birthday cake fund. The motion was 2nd by Margaret Havey and the motion
passed with 7-0 in favor.
A motion was made by Carol Oniskey to expend $300.00 from the Burbank Fund to
purchase additional birthday gift cards. The motion was 2nd by Christine Hansen and the
motion passed with 7-0 in favor.
Administrator notified the Board that Christophers Restaurant offered to donate all 30
Thanksgiving meals for seniors this year; Administrator requested volunteers from the
Board to deliver the meals on the day before Thanksgiving.
Administrator stated that she is currently looking for proposals for the Christmas meal
delivery from local restaurants.
Christine Hansen discussed the possibility of selling craft items at the Tree Lighting to raise
money toward the purchase of a new van. Administrator stated that staffing and the
amount of crafts available to sell would both be issues.
Administrator reviewed RCN updates and stated that the latest production: Scams to Avoid
and Safety for Seniors will be done shortly; Kevin Walsh is currently working on a quarterly
show and hopes to have an idea developed by December; RCN is working with Comcast
and Verizon to have a better schedule on the programming guide that is more easily
understood.
Chair reminded the Board that November's COA meeting will be on Wednesday November
13th due to Town Meeting.
The COA Group photo will be taken at the November meeting.
Chair asked that Board Members brainstorm and analyze what we do as the COA, what is
our purpose and are we doing the right things. Chair encouraged the Board to do some
self-examination to be sure we are on the right track.
Christine Hansen discussed the accessibility challenges for seniors around town and asked
the Administrator if Independent Living Centers of the North Shore and Cape Ann, Inc.
could be a potential speaker at a Lunch and Learn program or for the COA. They are a
group that promotes self advocacy for access through-out the community. Administrator
stated that she would need to research the group further before making a determination.
Adjournment: 7:54 PM
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