HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-09 Council on Aging MinutesTown of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Council on Aging
Date: 2021-08-09 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session:
Purpose: Version:
Attendees: Members - Present:
RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
READING, MA.
Rk
2021 DEC -6 AH 10: 11
Jacquelyn Behenna (Associate), Joan Coco, John Parsons, Sandra Shaffer,
Marilyn Shapleigh, Deborah Small, Nancy Ziemlak, Karen Fotino
Members - Not Present:
Brenda Cashman (Associate), Jolyn Ek(Associate), Karen Fotino (Associate),
Sally Hoyt, Barbara Carney, Karen Pinette
Others Present:
Kevin Bohmiller, Mark Dockser, Amy O'Brien
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Nancy Ziemlak
Topics of Discussion:
Note: Meeting was conducted via a Zoom video conference call (Open Session - Remote
Meeting).
Call to Order by Marilyn Shapleigh at 6:30 p.m.
Acceptance of Minutes:
New Business
-Elder and Human Services update given by Amy O'Brien and Kevin Bohmiller
• Event Update: Picnic very well attended. Thanks to Karen, Debbie, John and others for help
during the event. Special thanks to the Green Tomato restaurant for delicious picnic fare for all
the attendees.
• Programming Update: Continue to add to the programming options including new games, line
dancing well attended, the French class has 20 people enrolled, Bingo attendance is growing.
Planning to require people to register to better administer programs.
• services Update: Kerry, Alyse, and Amy involved in the Task Force helping to relocate residents
of 625 Main Street flood. Covid levels continue to be monitored and masks are encouraged
• staffing: Best wishes to Maria P. who resigned voluntarily as the Program Coordinator for the
Pleasant Street Center for other pursuits. Her leadership during the pandemic was recognized
and appreciated. Ms. O'Brien is currently working with HR to fill the position.
-Feasibility study. Planning Committee for a New Center IPCNCI update (Mark Dockser and Kevin
Bohmiller
The Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Kevin Bohmiller, and Mark Dockser met to begin
discussion on the Feasibility Study.
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General brainstorming generated the first of many questions that will need to be to be
considered (including but not limited to): What role will COA play, Need to consider programs vs
space, How might a multi-age center work, What strategies are other towns using (i.e.
Newton/North Andover), Is there existing space available for use, What are the priorities,
timeline for the study, Need short term and long term solution,
Need to plan for public input: Reading has a 60+ population of about 6000 people, the PSC email
list has about 800 names,
o Outreach could include flyer in electric bill or census and a town -wide mailing to target
population (Kevin will work with town clerk for current list),
o Public and online meetings must be conducted for input,
o Need to reach out and involve non -PSC groups/individuals in collecting assessment data
(i.e. local Neighborhood Group, Dementia Friendly Group) as well as the town residents
at large.
o A survey crafted by the Planning Committee with input from the Council on Aging to be
developed.
• Planning Committee (PCNL) members to be determined. Recommended that the Planning
Committee should include one or two representatives from the Council on Aging.
• Booth at the Fall Street Faire (9/12) COA members could volunteer for outreach, email
addresses for mailing list (Kevin will look into this).
-Discussion of Board preferences for upcoming -COA meetings (Zoom vs. In-oerson vs Combination)
• COA has the option to continue Zooming meetings until 4/2022 and all members agreed to
continue and revisit monthly.
-Review of the trust funds —
• Mr. Bohmiller reports that the trust fund balances are in good shape. It was suggested that a
member of the Trust Fund Commissioners be invited to present an overview at the next COA
meeting. Kevin Bohmiller will reach out to Beth Klepsis, as a possible presenter.
• Can the financial reports be better formatted? Kevin volunteered to consolidate the MUNIS
numbers to summarize the data for the COA meetings
-Review of COA meeting and board operations.
• Reviewed the process to establish COA Meeting Agenda which must be posted 48 hours ahead
of the time of the meeting. At the end of the meeting members can suggest topics for next
meeting or individual members with topics can contact Marilyn prior to the meeting for
additional agenda items. Kevin and Marilyn establish the Agenda. No more than 5 members
can speak together between meetings on any given topic in order not to reach a quorum and
violate OML.
• All Members are requested to review the website to ensure name/status are correct and let
Marilyn know if info needs to be updated.
Topics Next Agenda
• Mr. Parsons raised the question concerning what is the actual responsibility of the Reading COA.
If it is "to direct" what exactly does that mean? How do other COA's operate?
• Ms. Shapleigh raised the question of establishing a Friends of the COA to raise money.
Motion to adjourn made by John Parsons; seconded by XXXXX and approved by all via roll
call vote. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. by Marilyn Shapleigh.
Next Meeting: September 13 , 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
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