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Home My WebLink About2022-01-26 ad Hoc - Reading Center for Active Living Community Minutes� nrx Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Date: 2022-01-26 Building: Address: Purpose: Reading Center for Active Living Committee Attendees: Members - Present: RECEIVED TOWN CLERK R; n!Nc; MA. 2022 FEB 16 AM 8:52 Reading Center For Active Living Committee Time: 7:00 PM Location: Session: Open Session Version:. Final ReCalc Members: Mark Dockser; John ONeill; Michael Coltman; Ron Assini; John Parsons; John Sasso Members - Not Present: Others Present: Council on Aging: Joan Coco, Amy O'Brien, Joan Carcia, Karen Pinette, Debby Small, Nancy Ziemlak, Sandy Shaffer, Jackie Behanna, Marilyn Shapleigh, Public: Tom Mottl, Nora Bucko RCN: Broadcast, Staff: Kevin Bohmiller; Jean Delios; Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Ron Assani Topics of Discussion: Meeting called to order at 7:07 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 O'Neill reading the harge of the ReCalc to bring the Reading COA up to date on the charge. No doubt from the ReCalc that the current members of ReCalc that the current Senior Center is in adequate to meet the needs of the community. John referenced the last minutes of ReCalc to see if there is anything in the minutes that had questions or comments on. Marilyn Shapleigh suggested that perhaps not everyone read the minutes. Made suggestion to add to the list: Page I 1 � Fq o Town of Reading Meeting Minutes FCOPpd Handicap space internal More parking space for Handicap (two not enough) Michael Coltman Question to the COA, is the location of downtown important for a new center? Nancy Ziemlak: There are 7000 Seniors in Reading, while the center of town in nice for surrounding shopping, are we reaching the all the seniors. Joan Coco —An out-of-town center is not attractive because now we would have to do more transportation. Big Limitation of current center is the ability to do more activities. Double Zumba, Art Clases, Bingo, congregate lunch programs. Marilynn Shapleigh: Visited a bunch of Senior Centers, around the Reading center. Many of them are not located in the downtown are but each of them has bus service to get to the location. Another shortcoming is the lack of a real kitchen. Lynnfield has its own Chef. There are over 6000 seniors that have not even received a Senior Newsletter, mainly due to Covid pandemic. We are looking to revamp that again. Caution the ReCalc to ensure we are reach out to the other 6000 seniors for the input. Tom Mottl: A couple of questions. On a survey you may get only 50% response. As for location, we should have a map as to where the seniors are living, in addition to the Senior Living Center. Is the ReCalc consider a center for the entire community beyond Seniors. John O'Neill —Yes, the ReCalc Charge is considering a multi-purpose community center. Michael Coltman — It very important that ReCalc consider all ages should have access to the center and to meet the broader needs of the Reading Community. Key thing is get programs early on in their lives to plan ahead. This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken at this meeting � Of q Meeting Minutes O �; 4Town of Reading �'eJJrII1COP Nancy Ziemlak: While the COA is focus on Seniors, we understand the broader view of a future center for all ages. The current center is not meeting of the needs of the 55-70 group, not considered older activities. Looking for more active program and evening programs. What could we offer that age group? John Sasso: One of the questions trying to understand what the COA did to respond to the 2017 study? Can the COA share what they addressed in the 2017 study and how we fill in the gaps not addressed. Jean Delios: The study was funded by Jean's Town Manager budget. Some things were addressed is Computer room • Reception desk • Staffing John Sasso: What about other facilities in the town to address the needs? How about partnering with other towns, library etc? Jean Delios — Yes, partnered with the schools, the memory cafe etc have been explored. Joan Coco—Trips with other communities, Museums, Flower show, Nutcraker, Topfields Fair Tom Mottl —The interactions with all ages with programs is very important John O'Neill —There is a negative stigma with people of certain age, as older activities. Hopeful that this has the potential to many ages Marilynn Shapleigh: There is enormous amount of broader population that have Nancy Ziemlak: Heard that there is a concern that a mix use center that seniors will be pushed aside. Wants to make sure that the seniors have a time and place of their own. Mark Dockser: Heard from residents. • Not enough space for exercise. • Movies, is Speakers • Meals • Hiring bus for field trips to and from the center Michael Coltman: The current center does not a big room. This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken at this meeting � PR Town of Reading 0�a k Meeting Minutes Pl�nKM How to handle when seniors are taking care of others but need a place to support them for their own time (ie dropping of grandchildren, then visiting the center) Marilynn Shapleigh: The Lynnfield center a big room that can be divided. Bathrooms are required on all floors. A Waiting room for drop off and pickup purposes John O'Neill - What about senior discounts to movies, musuems. Kevin Bohmiller— Yes, the recreation group offers discounts. Should offer them to the seniors. Marilynn Shapleigh — the YMCA provides childcare while adult activities happen. There are a lot of short-term needs for seniors today. Why can't we address some of those now? ReCalc work closely with COA to make recommendations. But recognize that short term needs are the charge of the COA. Why not consider short term locations, like the temporary Library near Market Basket. It's currently empty. John O'Neill — How to address people with limited mobility like during the voting times. Jean Delios— When the finance committee convenes that is the time when the budget process begins. Many times, budget are already set. Mark Dockser: We should be thinking big and small to convince town meeting that we are going to need funds, There are some trusts that the council has access to. Are there some appropriate things that the council could use. ARPA Funds - $6-7m allocated to Reading from the Federal government. Plus, the State also has access to ARPA funds for hardships during the pandemic. Work with the State Legislators to find how we could get a grant to those funds. We should be chasing access to those funds. John Sasso: We don't want to step on COA toes with short term needs, but we support the needs. We recognize that what ReCalc is planning for years down the road +3-5 years in planning for major improvements. This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken at this meeting OWN pra�i Town of Reading (y `\ e t Meeting Minutes (oPrOP Nancy Ziemalk The consultant is hired for an outreach program and final report with multiple meetings. What's the end product Jean Delios —Yes, it's a community outreach program. A survey will be the main product. Pre -feasibility work. Community engagement, capture the feedback and then take it from there. Mark Dockser Some of the lessons from Library council. Is Town Meeting doesn't like to be surprised. Next time meeting is April at that time at least provide some feedback of where ReCalc is going. Mark explained how working with Town Meeting works. How to give the 60+ a stronger voice to get things done to meet the needs. Marilynn Shapleigh There was an article in the paper that got a new senior center on ARPA funds. We should be able to make a strong case for ARPA. Even for entire Senior Center. Awareness and informing about what the Town does offer. Not everyone has internet or computer access to do the costs. How do engage people at the Senior Living center to talk to them. The survey should be also educational, informative not just question based. Per capita investment for seniors not proportional to the spending from the town. Nancy Ziemlak — we have a great one-page flyer that mentions the Flyer Ron Assini: How can market the survey and educational aspect. Amy O'Brien: We could generate a OR code on the flyer for more information. Marilynn Shapleigh Access to other ReCalc minutes and future meetings. AARP how do towns qualify? Marilynn to supply the URL to the website for reference. Mark Dockser The ReCalc has a vacancy on the group. If someone is interested in joining. This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken at this meeting � Fq O Town of Reading 0S Meeting Minutes °L,uvow COA Motion to adjourn Role Cole: loan Coco, Amy O'Brien, Joan Carcia, Karen Pinette, Debby Small, Nancy Ziemlak, Sandy Shaffer, Jackie Behanna, Marilyn Shapleigh, Next ReCalc meeting February 9, 2022 ReCalc Motion to adjourn ReCalc Role Call: Ron Assini, Mark Dockser, Michael Coltman, John Sasso, John Parsons. This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topica that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken at this meeting