HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-05 Council on Aging Minutes fq
Town of Reading RE=CEIVED
Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK
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Board - Committee - commission - Council: 2021 APR 21 AM 10 32
Council on Aging
Date: 2020-10-05 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session:
Purpose: Version:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Jacquelyn Behenna (Associate Member), Joan Coco, Karen Fotino (Associate
Member), Margaret Havey, Sally Hoyt, John Parsons, Pooja Parsons
(Associate Member), Karen Pinette, Sandra Shafer, Marilyn Shapleigh,
Deborah Small
Members - Not Present:
Barbara Carney, Brenda Cashman (Associate Member), Jolyn Ek, Marie
Perrot (Associate Member), Thomas Procopio
Others Present:
Kevin Bohmiller, Mark Dockser, Maria Puglielli, Kerry Valle
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Marilyn Shapleigh
Topics of Discussion:
Note: Meeting was conducted via a Zoom video conference call (Open Session - Remote
Meeting).
Call to Order by John Parsons at 6:50 p.m. after a delay due to Zoom technical difficulties.
Acceptance of Minutes from September: Motion to accept the September minutes made
by John Parsons, seconded by Marilyn Shapleigh. All in favor. Accepted.
New Business:
• Kevin Bohmiller met with Laura Gemme and learned that the town will be able to
provide transportation to early voting and November voting. We will also be able to
help arrange rides to the drop off box. We cannot pick up ballots and drop them off.
Human & Elder Services Report:
• Maria Puglielli reported that approximately 150 people have registered to participate
in the Pleasant Street Center chicken pie drive by event scheduled for 10/14 (10/15
rain date). The PSC will also have a few extra pies available if needed.
• Flu shots will be administered on 10/22 at the PSC by appointment. They will also
be offered at Peter Sanborn Place, Tannerville, and Cedar Glen.
• A draft survey was included in this month's COA packet. Mr. Bohmiller encouraged
feedback on the questions. Distribution plans include Survey Monkey, Pleasantries,
Handouts, and possibly the town Facebook site.
• Options for Thanksgiving and winter holiday meal delivery and the difficulty in
assessing resident needs in the current environment were discussed. A decision on
what will be offered was tabled until the November meeting.
• Accepted.
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Financia/Report:
• In response to John Parson's question at the last COA meeting, Mr. Bohmiller looked
into the rules regarding expenditures from Schroeder that can be made by the
Division of Elder Services. It was determined that Kerry Valle and Maria Puglielli are
authorized to make expenditures under the guidance of Mr. Bohmiller.
• Fiscal Year 2020 recently closed. Mr. Bohmiller reported that the Patrons,
Schroeder, and Burbank accounts all continue to be in good shape.
• Accepted.
New Business:
• Mark Dockser reported that the Town Clerk is looking for help preparing mail-in
ballots before the election. Volunteers may sign up on the town website; volunteer
time will count toward tax service hours. Maria Puglielli indicated that she would
reach out with this information to her distribution list of property tax workers. The
maximum number of volunteers at any one time in the town hall is 12.
• The November Pleasantries will be mailed to COA members.
• Marilyn Shapleigh inquired into the possibility of posting COA monthly meetings on
the town website calendar earlier than is currently typically the case so that more
community members might have time to plan ahead and attend meetings. Kevin
Bohmiller will look into it.
• Mark Dockser Inquired as to whether the COA had any issues that he should bring to
the attention of the Select Board. He reported that upcoming meal plans are under
discussion. Conversations are also going on regarding snow shoveling assistance for
elderly residents.
Next Meeting: November 17, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m. by John Parsons following a motion to adjourn by Joan
Coco, seconded by Margaret Havey. All in favor.
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