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Council on Aging
Date: 2014-01-13 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, Jane Burns (Admin), Tom Procoplo, Margaret Havey, Christine
Hansen, Carol Oniskey, Kevin Walsh, Donavin Bentley
Members - Not Present:
Sally Hoyt, Erica Deane
Others Present:
Sandy Schaffer (guest)
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Margaret Havey
Topics of Discussion:
A moment of silence was held by the Board in memory of Dolly DeRosa who passed away In
December
Minutes from December 12, 2013- Accepted &Approved
Elder Services Report for December 12, 2013- Accepted &Approved
Financial Report for December 12, 2013- Accepted &Approved
*Administrator told the Board that Elder services received a $450.00 cultural grant
from The Reading Cultural Council. The grant will be used for a presentation called "Mr.
President" in February. The show will be performed by the Delvena Theatre Company.
Old Business:
Administrator gave Board a "refresher" of trust fund accounts that the COA oversees.
Schroeder Fund-A goodwill fund that is used to provide small gestures of kindness
to seniors. This fund allows the COA to purchase and deliver meals to seniors on
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. The Schroeder fund allows Interest only spending, and
cannot go below $10,000. Future spending for the new program "Seniors 100+ yrs" (i.e. a
gift, acknowledgement and cake) will be allocated from this fund. The Schroeder Fund will
potentially fund gift cards for our friendly visitors allowing them to purchase coffee/muffins
when visiting homebound seniors- the Board will discuss at a future meeting.
A motion was made by Kevin Walsh to reimburse Jane Burns (Admin) in the amount of
$17.96 for 2 addition Christmas Meals. The motion was 2nd by Tom Procoplo. The motion
passed 7-0 in favor.
Patrons Fund- A fund used to support programs not funded by the Town of
Reading. "New" programs can be funded year after year. (Examples of use: Annual
Volunteer Dinner, and the Lobster Roll Dinner). The fund came to Elder Services/COA as a
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gift from The Patron for Older Adults, who donated the money when the organization
dismantled. The fund when originally donated, was in the amount of$125,000.00- interest
only can be spent.
Burbank Fund- A fund from the Burbank Family of Reading, and our most widely
used fund. This fund can be used in a variety of ways to benefit seniors- predominantly
entertainment at the Pleasant Street Center. The fund is also used for birthday lunches,
birthday gift cards, and the Golden Age radio program at the Pleasant Street Center. The
fund was established with no usage restrictions however the COA determined the fund
cannot go below $250,000.00.
A motion was made by Kevin Walsh to reimburse Sharon Thomas in the amount of$20.14
for the purchase of a birthday rake in January. The motion was 2nd by Tom Procopio. The
motion passed 7-0 in favor.
A motion was made by Tom Procopio to allocate $150.00 from the Burbank Fund to
purchase Birthday cakes (monthly), until the end of FY14. The motion was 2nd by Kevin
Walsh. The motion passed 7-0 in favor.
*Christine Hansen has graciously volunteered to coordinate ordering and delivering
the monthly birthday cake to the Pleasant Street Center.
New Business:
A"St. Patrick Day/Spring Fling"event will be planned for the Pleasant Street Center. The
Board discussed several ideas including a Pancake breakfast that may be scheduled on or
close to the 1`r day of spring. The luncheon at the Pleasant St. Center on St. Patrick's Day is
well attended, so an additional event on a separate day was discussed. The Administrator is
looking into options, Including the chef at Peter Sanborn Place being a possibility for future
events.
*Overall, lunch attendance at the Pleasant St. Center has been down, and Meals on
Wheels had seen an increase. The Board discussed the option of hosting a monthly Brunch
to see what type of attendance it might bring.
Due to the prohibitive cost of transportation to The Spring Flower & Garden Show in Boston,
the Administrator has decided to look for other options for a spring event. The"Spirit of
Boston" boat is an option being considered for July.
A program on dementia is being planned for sometime in May. Details to follow
Kevin Walsh spoke about the time consuming job of editing at RCN, and what Is involved.
He has spoken to John Doherty (Superintendent of Reading Schools), to have students
help/volunteer with RCN. Kevin had volunteered to record the upcoming program on
dementia when details/timing become available. He also discussed the approximately ten
programs currently running on RCN that are geared to seniors.
The group photo of the COA Board will be pushed to February or March. The town website is
still in process of being updated.
Steve Oston (Chair) spoke to the Board about the"Council on Aging Rules"that is posted on
the town website. The "Purpose"of the Council (as stated in Section 3) seems to be more
applicable to The Department of Elder Services, than The Council on Aging. The Board
discussed the sections listed in the Rules, and will continue the discussion in February.
Steve will get more information for the Board after speaking with the Town Manager.
Adjournment: 8:10 pm
Submitted By: M. Havey
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