HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-12-10 Council on Aging Minutes + Town of Reading iv ED
Meeting Minutes TG:^!h CLERK
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council: ata DLG 16 PM 2: 52
Council on Aging
Date: 2018-12-10 Time:
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Location: Arts and Crafts Room
Address: 49 Pleasant Street Session:
Purpose: Version:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Barbara Carney (Associate Member), Joan Coco, Jolyn Ek, Margaret Havey,
Sally Hoyt (Associate Member), John Parsons, Pooja Parsons (Associate
Member), Thomas Procopio, Sandy Shaffer, Marilyn Shapleigh, Debby Small,
Jane Burns (Admin)
Members - Not Present:
Brian Snell, Jayna Stafford (Associate Member)
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Marilyn Shaplelgh
Topics of Discussion:
Call to Order by Thomas Procopio at 6:31
Acceptance of Minutes from November: Accepted
Elder Services Report- November Report (Admin): Still struggling to get people to sign in,
so statistics do not capture full level of attendance. The new scanner software has not yet
been acquired, but will hopefully help. Accepted.
Financial Report - November Report (Admin): Schroeder had no activity this month.
Burbank has overspent interest earned this year but no other big expenses are expected for
the year (other than postage in March), so the Interest is expected to catch up and
historically we've under-spent. Patrons has overspent interest earned for the year a bit -
we need to look more closely at the prices of big trips (which are very popular). Perhaps it
will be possible to absorb trip costs into the Elder/Social Services budget. Jane Burns will
have more information on this next month. We cannot charge people for trips on the new
van because of the terms of the grant that funded it; when we own the van outright, we'll
be able to charge for trips. Accepted
MVES Report: No report this month.
Old Business:
Dementia Friendly Reading: Meeting minutes were included in the COA packets for this
month. The initiative has reached its 1-year anniversary. The leadership group is working
on the strategic plan, roles, marketing, etc. Starting in January, meetings will be moved
from Wednesdays to Tuesdays. Jane Burns conducted a dementia friends session at the
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library 12/9 for the members of the Reading Neighbors Network. A goal is to establish a
staggered schedule of upcoming Dementia Friends sessions.
Thanksgiving Meal Delivery Review: All reported that it went well. "Folks were
appreciative."
Christmas Meal Delivery/Gifts: Kerry Valle identified 12 people to receive a Christmas meal;
she, Alyse Warren, and Jane Burns will deliver. A couple more volunteers would be helpful.
Also, the gifts being sent as a result of the Hitching Post giving tree need to be delivered.
The people do not know they will be receiving gifts. COA volunteers are asked to help with
the delivery.
Staffing Plan Update: At the budget meeting with the Selectman, some changes were
proposed. The van driver's hours would be increased to 20 hrs/week. The plan Is to bring
Maria Puglielli on for a 20 hr week and also hire a part-time receptionist to balance skills
and needs at the desk. This would result in staff consistency at the Pleasant Street front
desk and less confusion. We will still have a half clerk's position to FlII at the town hall.
There has not been strong interest In a coordinator of volunteers - demand is down because
we fund medical escorts from Hallmark, Mystic Valley handles grocery shopping, Friendly
Visitors can be set up as needed, etc. We do need volunteers to help the kitchen staff.
Guardianship (Sally Hoyt): Sally Hoyt reported on Dr. Sugar's report. Sally's group (Silver
Haired Legislators) has put together recommendations for change requesting a special fee
schedule for guardianship cases, etc. and they are hoping that new Massachusetts' laws will
be successful in affecting laws in other states too. They presented 12 pages of changes and
recommendations to the Massachusetts Judiciary Committee.
New Business:
New Year's Italian Buffet Funding Request. Wingate at Reading was going to sponsor this
event, but Elder Services decided it would be best to take the event back to ensure success
because Wingate is undergoing staffing changes. We will be working with Anthony's Roast
Beef for this event. Jane Bums requested $400-$450 from Patrons for the New Year's Eve
Italian Buffet. A motion was made by John Parsons to approve spending up to $450 from
Patrons for the New Year's Eve Italian Buffet; seconded by Jolyn Ek. Discussion noted that
we've funded this event from Patrons before. All in favor.
Online Ethics Training Follow-up: Reminder to all COA members to complete the Ethics
training. Jane Burns asked Laura Gemme to investigate a non-computer solution for
anyone who is not online.
Birthday Cakes - Request for Funding: We need more money from Burbank to get through
the winter at least. A motion to approve spending $400 from Burbank for birthday cakes
was made by Margaret Havey; seconded by John Parsons. All in favor.
Special Events:
Christmas Eve Brunch
District Attorney Marian Ryan - In January - program on winter scams.
Next Meeting: January 14, 2019
Motion to adjourn by John Parsons, seconded by Jolyn Ek. All in favor. Meeting adjourned
at 7:37 by Thomas Procopio.
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