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Town of Reading
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Date: 2021-10-04 Time: 6:30
Building: Location:
Address: Session:
Purpose: Council on Aging Version:
Attendees: Members - Present:
-R'EICE I V E D
TOWN CLERK
READING, MA.
2021 DEC -6 AM 10: 1 1
Marilyn Shapleigh, Jackie Behema, John Parsons, Sandy Shaffer, Joan Coco,
Barbara Carney, Nancy Ziemlak
Members - Not Present:
Deborah Small, Karen Pinette, Sally Hoyt, Karen Fotino, Joyln Elk, Brenda
Cashman
Others Present:
Amy O'Brien, Kevin Bohmiller, Mark Dockser
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Nancy Ziemlak
Topics of Discussion:
Attendance: Marilyn Shapleigh, Jackie Behema, John Parsons, Sandy Shaffer, Joan Coco, Barbara Carney,
Nancy Ziemlak
Not in Attendance: Deborah Small, Karen Pinette, Sally Hoyt, Karen Fotino, Joyln Elk, Brenda Cashman
Others: Amy O'Brien, Kevin Bohmiller, Mark Dockser
Meeting Called to order 6:40 pm
Minutes Accepted: all members present in favor
Board Member Introductions:
• Kevin B with the town for 6.5 yrs serving as the veterans service administrator and in 2020 became the
community services director
• Marilyn graduated from WASS program instructional design during which she worked with town to
establish Wellness Program, interested in the60+population,
• Jackie is a home care physical therapist for 50+ and was interested to learn more about the issues of
the 60+ community and inform clients of services
• John began volunteering as a medical escort, continues to volunteer for activities including as a
member of the Council.
• Sandy participated in the PSC programs and activities and began volunteering including as a member of
the Council
• Barbara moved here and was excited by services offered by the PSC and wanted to be involved in
decision making, etc
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• Joan participated in the PSC programs and activities and began volunteering including as a member of
the Council
• Nancy interested in the needs of the 60+ community
• Amy has been in the field of human services for 20 years including hospice, home time, and is very
excited about this new opportunity as the Administrator for Elder Services
❖ Reminder that Members can send emails to group but no discussion is permitted on the materials until
the meeting.
Elder and Human Services Update and Fall Funding Requests
Amy has been very busy as numbers are increasing, reminding people to register, some activities at capacity
(ie bingo). Amy was asked t0 maintain stats for sold out programs. Kelly taking Maria's program job
starting after Columbus day. Her job will be posted until then relying on volunteers for front desk. There is
still some resistant to wearing of masks but visitors are being strongly encouraged. Library requires masks
because the Board of Trustees was able to make it's own mandate. COA falls under BOH and there is n0
mandate. There are two fall events being planned: possibly on 10/19 to schedule a craft activity facilitated by
Tin Bucket (participant fee $15 per person with trust funds covering $600 for craft activity). PSC will also
participate on the 271h in the towns trick or treat event and will be hosting an open house Also, looking to a
Nov activity possibly Drews Stews or a Harrow Drive by. Amy will send out another mini -Pleasantries to recuit
people to register for event. Motion made to approve expenditures from the Burbank Trust Fund Account for
both activlties:$600 for the craft activity and $2300 for the drive by, all present voted in favor.
Fall Mailing of Pleasantries to all 60+ residents (approx. 7,000 people)
Kevin presented information from the town clerk of the number of 60+ residents, and right now, it stands at
approximately 7, 323. Which includes everybody in senior living and residents of Pearl Street. The number
represents the total amount of individuals not the total number of households. Kevin not convinced that a fall
mailing is the right thing to do right now. One reason is we're not running the Pleasant Street Center at 100%
so to go through the effort to try and get all these people that have come to the Center now may not be the
best time. Nancy and Marilyn suggested that it is a good opportunity for outreach, especially in light of the
town starting to look a new Senior/Community Center. Also, it is the COA's mandate to conduct
outreach. Options will be explored.
Dementia Friendly Reading Update: this group has a regular leadership meeting, library sponsored a
dementia workshop in October 25 and 28..
Mystic Valley Update s
Marilyn would like this update added back to the Agenda. Marilyn alerted Brian Snell of the need for
internet access possibly more hotspots. MVU is receiving federal money and seeking program ideas. Marilyn
reached out to Brian about this idea. Is anyone interested in volunteering to attend these meetings?
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Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Senior/Community Center Update
Kevin and Jean Deleos and Mark met and will propose to the SB to establish an ad-hoc committee, RECALC,
whose mission would be to plan, gather and present data on the development of a feasibility study. (Reading
Center for Active Living Committee)
The $40,000 that's been allocated by town meeting would be used for this purpose. The Committee would
report to the SB in March'22 with an initial proposal for next steps toward a Senior Center/Community Center
with a target date to request further funding at April's Town Meeting'22.
The structure of the committee has been proposed and would have a total of seven voting members including
one from the COA, SB, and Recreation as well as 4 at large members. This will be presented at the next SB
meeting for approval. The 4 at-large members would apply to the select board to be on the committee. Once
approved by the SB posting for volunteers is 15 days. Ideally if supported by the SB recruiting people could
Start in October with meetings beginning in November, December January, February,March.
Motion to Adjourn, all in attendance voted in favor, 8PM
Next Meeting Nov 111, 6:30pm
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