HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-02 Commissioners of Trust Funds Minutes g�' arup,�o
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
_ READING, MA.
Board - committee - commission - Council:
Commissioners of Trust Funds 2111 AUG 21 AM 8: 2A
Date: 2019-05-02 Time: 10:00 AM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Lower Level Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: Specific Business Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
John Daly, Elizabeth Klepeis and Endrl Kume
Members - Not Present:
Andrew Friedman and Neil Cohen
Others Present:
Jane Burns, Kerry Valle and Alyse Warren
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Endri Kume
Topics of Discussion:
Mr. Daly called the meeting to order at 10:05 AM.
Reading Response Program
Ms. Klepeis asked Ms. Burns for a status update on the overall program. Ms. Burns informed
the group that they have had no client requests for the Respite Care Program and currently
have only one person enrolled in it. Also, in the past few years, there had been no need for
it at all. Ms. Klepeis added that this program had been an issue ever since it was created.
Considering that there was no need and the history of this program Ms. Klepeis made the
following motion:
On a motion by Mr. Klepeis seconded by Mr. Daly moved to suggest to the Trust Fund
Commissioners to eliminate the Respite Care Program by a vote of 3-0
Ms. Klepeis asked what some of the most common requests were. Ms. Burns mentioned that
the highest demand currently was geared toward adult daycare, which was very expensive,
and transportation to treatment facilities added another level of expense. Some of the
requests that they regularly receive were for transportation for dialysis or for Alzheimer.
These treatments require the patient to visit a center 3-4 times a week. Ms. Valle
mentioned that we have a lot of clients on dialysis and transportation for them is the major
pain point. In most cases the family member helps with transportation; however, this is an
ongoing treatment, and it gets challenging to manage and accommodate.
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Ms. Burns suggested to look at two options:
1. To extend the current transportation policy to include limited rides to dialysis
facilities up to 10 miles within Reading, excluding Boston.
2. Offer some financial relief for adult day care by paying for a portion of the cost
associated with 1-day service in an adult care facility.
Ms. Klepeis stated that we need to make sure we decide on a service that will not quickly
deplete the funds. Mr. Daly asked Ms. Warren if she knew how many clients were on dialysis
and she mentioned the number was high.
On a motion by Ms Klepeis seconded by Mr. Daly a suooestion to the Trust Fund
Commissioners to expand the transportation policy to include transportation for clients with
dialysis at 2 rides per week within a 10-mile radius excluding Boston was approved by a
vote of 3-0
For the second option after a brief discussion related to the cost associated with the
transportation to Adult Day Health Centers the following motion was made:
On a motion by Ms Klepeis seconded by Mr. Daly a suggestion to the Trust Fund
Commissioners to offer a new program for Adult Day Health Center at $75 per day limited
to 1 day a week for a total of 4 times a month limited to the following centers Dutton Adult
Day Health Center. Wakefield MA* Shapiro Center. Peabody. MA, Spectrum Center. North
Andover. MA was approved by a vote of 3-0
Ms. Klepeis asked Ms. Burns if there was any change that was needed to the Escort program
and she confirmed that there were no changes required at this time for that program.
On a motion by Ms Klepeis seconded by Mr. Daly. the Commissioners voted to adiourn its
meeting at 11:00 a m by a vote of 3-0
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