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Home My WebLink About2022-01-12 ad Hoc - Reading Center for Active Living Community MinutesoaH orq a 0 e 'axc°ao°P Board - Committee Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Commission - Council: RECEI'V'ED TOWN CLERK READING, MA. RL 2022 JAN 27 AH 8: 46 ad Hoc - Reading Center for Active Living Committee Date: 2022-1-12 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: Reading Center for active Living Version: Final Committee Attendees: Members - Present: ReCalc Members: Mark Dockser; John ONeill; Michael Coltman; Ron Assini; John Parsons; John Sasso Members - Not Present: Others Present: Staff: Kevin Bohmiller; Jean Delios Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Ron Assam Topics of Discussion: Meeting called to order at 7:03 pm Roll Call: Mark Dockser; John ONeill; Michael Coltman; Ron Assini; John Parsons; Call to accept meeting minutes from previous meeting Roll Call: Mark Dockser; John ONeill; Michael Coltman; Ron Assini; John Parsons; John Sasso John O'Neill spoke to Betty Walsh about rejoining the committee. Betty is not interested in working with planning and consultant. Mark Dockser: Did Betty submit her resignation to the Town Clerk. This will allow the position to open and allow other candidates to join. Number #1 topic meeting with Council on Aging Meeting set for January 26,2022 Mark Dockser 1. Hear from the Council on Aging would like to see (gap analysis, what's missing today) 2. Benchmarking— What other senior centers offer, why do seniors attend these other centers. 3. Consultant output the Council on Aging would like to see Page 1 1 Michael Coltman 1. What are some of the positive things about the current Senior Center from the Council on Aging? John Sasso 1. What are some of things the Council on Aging have tried and what are some of their priorities? Did they run into a constraint? 2. It may help our Council as we continue to plan things out John O'Neill 1. What would the Council on Aging like to see? 2. What location do they prefer? 3. What was in the study that they would like to do? 4. What are transportation options (the Ride, Uber for Seniors)? 5. Short term things we can work together on? 6. How can the two councils work together? John Parsons 1. Lot of the questions raised can be answered by Elder Services. 2. Would be important for Amy O'Brien to attend the meeting on January 26, 2022 3. The location of the new center does not have to be Town Center, if there is adequate parking, people will drive, be driven to the location. John O'Neill 1. Do center attendees see this as a positive thing? 2. What are some of the reasons seniors don't come? Jean Delios 1. Several years ago, we reached out to other towns to collaborate together and the time there was surprisingly no interest. John Sasso 1. We should be realistic that we may not be able to do everything. 2. Its not just the location it's about the services being offered. John O'Neill 1. Prioritization will have to happen. 2. Would the town want to offer services for out of towners and pay for it. 3. It takes program, coordination. 4. How is staff funded? 5. Are community members willing to volunteer their talents? 6. There are lot of non -elders that are servicing their elders, what can be offered to alleviate them? 7. What would they like from us? Kevin Bohmiller 1. They have a lot of thoughts and years on the council and would like to share? Page 1 2 Mark Dockser 1. We should make a list of things our council have already thought about to setup for the meeting 2. Supporting people who are helping elders Jean Delios 1. Believes we should continue to focus on the vision 2. Prepare to get feedback from Community John Sasso 1. From our last meeting, start putting together the list of things we've been discussing over the previous meetings 2. Let's get the list started based on what other communities have done 3. Looking at very broadly. 4. When you start putting ideas out there. Michael Coltman 1. The Recreation Committee would be very interested in access to another facility for after hours 2. Meetings are to get. Library meetings are difficult to come by. John O'Neill 1. Can we contact other communities center to help us determine our community needs? Kevin Bohmiller 1. We don't have the data for the past two years because of Covid 2. We have a lot of new people at the current center Jean Delios 1. The current popular programs would attract more members of the community if we had a bigger facility. Mark Dockser 1. What is the magnitude of what we're trying get to? 2. Perhaps each council member can reach out to different senior center and visit to see what they have to offer 3. Let's start big, then prioritize A List provide by Mark Dockser Not enough space to run: - Athletics/Fitness/Locker rooms/showers - Multiple Program - Setup, Cleaning, coordinated maintenance, storage - Common Space - Meals with real kitchen - Meeting space (even rental) - Small Group space - Program Staff Page 13 Support for people supporting elders Private counseling space Affordability of programs Specialty Rooms (Crafts etc) Supportive Day Care (not licensed) Covered car port for inclement weather Recharging stations Food Pantry Emergency Center (heat/cold) Health services Outdoor patio Bocce Courts Indoor/ Outdoor club space Town Meeting space Adult Day Care — official service as a place holder Transportation options - Dispatching Medical services - Nutrition services Fun activities - Dance - Music - Special Topic Speakers - Cooking Classes Information distribution - Online - Print - Flyers Trips - Encore - Museums - Harbor Cruises - Beach trips What are some funding programs that we could access? Work with our state Legislators. Next meeting February 9, 2022 Motion to adjourn Page 1 4 Roll Call: Ron Assini, John Parsons, John Sasso, John O'Neill, Michael Coltman, Mark Dockser. Page 1 5