HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-08 Council on Aging Minutes RECEIVED
Town of Reading TONIN CLERK
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Board - committee - commission - council:
Council on Aging
Date: 2021-03-08 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session:
Purpose: Version:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Jacquelyn Behenna (Associate Member), Barbara Camey, loan Coco, Karen
Fotino (Associate Member), Margaret Havey, Sally Hoyt, John Parsons,
Thomas Procopio, Sandra Shaffer, Marilyn Shapleigh, Nancy Ziemlak
(Associate Member)
Members - Not Present:
Brenda Cashman (Associate Member), Jolyn Ek, Marie Perrot (Associate
Member), Karen Pinette (Associate Member), Deborah Small
Others Present:
Kevin Bohmiller, Mark Dockser, Brian Snell, 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 Thomas Procopio at 6:50 p.m. The meeting was delayed 20 minutes and
Zoom had to be restarted due to technical difficulties
Acceptance of Minutes from February: Accepted.
New Business:
Mark Dockser updated the COA on the following:
o Covid-19 Vaccine: At a meeting of the Incident Command Group, it was
learned that 2nd shots are being scheduled for those who received their 1"
through the town. More vaccine is coming and is ear-marked for those who
are not mobile; Alyse Warren is coordinating. At this time, the state plan is
to not provide more vaccine to specific localities (except for individuals who
are home-bound). The town is encouraging people to look at drug stores and
other distribution sites for appointment availability.
o Transportation to Vaccination locations: MVES is providing
transportation within a short radius of Reading. Reading Response received
Trust Fund approval for trips to the Danvers Doubletree site
o Evolving Senior Center needs: Mr. Dockser noted that the evolving needs
of Reading's senior center facility & programs related to the steady growth in
Reading's elder population are being discussed by Select Board members.
Kevin Bohmiller and Kerry Valle provided updates on Elder and Human Services.
o The Elder & Human Services Administrator position is being advertised.
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o CDC guidelines on what vaccinated people can do came out today. Mr.
Bohmiller will be attending a meeting run by the state's Executive Office of
Elder Affairs and coordinating with the Board of Health for guidance on what
senior centers can and cannot do/ how we can do a "soft" opening.
o Tax appointments are booked solid.
o The drive-by event had a good turnout.
o The need for food assistance is increasing.
• Thomas Procopio facilitated a Council discussion of Center Needs &Wishes, asking
everyone in attendance to list 2 things that they felt were important to address as
the Center begins to re-open. Items identified during the discussion included:
o Opening the Center!
o Make it possible for people to play bridge and bingo, meet to knit, etc.
o An awning outdoors to provide an outdoor meeting space that is safe (note:
Kevin Bohmiller is currently looking into this option)
o Educational programs
o Having people vaccinated before being brought back
o Providing a safe place for coffee/lunches/socializing
o Locating temporary spaces that could support safe gathering arrangements as
an alternative to the Pleasant Street building until the pandemic ends, and
possibly beyond that time, to meet evolving program needs for Reading
o Acoustics need to be improved in the great room at Pleasant Street
o A more open (less confined) space for the computer room
o A study on how to better utilize the Pleasant Street building space
o Space that is more accessible to the handicapped
o An enclosure for the reception desk to reduce staff contact exposure.
o Half panels on Kerry Valle's &Alyse Warren's offices to reduce contact
exposure.
o Increased cleaning/sanitizing to keep people safe in the pandemic.
o Private meeting space
o Reservations at multiple locations, such as churches, for space to schedule
and safely accommodate specific activities (e.g., games)
o A survey to assess program needs long term
o Possibly using the temporary space the library had used during renovations
o Mask policy and enforcement
o Clarification ... "can we legally ask people to show vaccination cards?"
o Dementia Friendly Memory Cafes started up again
o Reconsider using volunteer help with transportation needs
• It was noted that the town's finance committee will be recommending a budget for
FY22; voting is scheduled for 4/26. COA attendance was encouraged.
• Thomas Procopio and Kevin Bohmiller offered to meet regarding "next steps" related
to the Center Needs and Wishes list the Council generated (see above).
• Kevin Bohmiller offered to work with Maria Puglielli on a Council on Aging monthly
update item for upcoming issues of Pleasantries.
• It was noted that an RFP has been issued by the Trust Fund Commissioners for a
Reading Response provider.
• Kevin Bohmiller offered a tour of the Pleasant Street facility for new Board Members.
• MVES Update (Brian Snell)
o Meals on Wheels volume has increased substantially in the absence of
congregate dining
o A fund-raising auction is upcoming
o Reading is not currently represented on the MVES Board; it is a Council on
Aging responsibility to make appointments. Typically, a Council on Aging
director fills this role, but it could be someone else. Kevin Bohmiller offered
to follow up on this.
Next Meeting: April 12, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. by Thomas Procopio following a motion to adjourn by John
Parsons, seconded by Barbara Carney. All in favor.
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