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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-12-13 Council on Aging Minutes•Townof Reading Meeting Minutes Board —Committee -Commission —Council: Date: 2021-12-13 Time: 6:30 Purpose: Council on Aging Location: Zoom Meeting TOWN ECLERK READING, MA. 2023 JAN 10 PM 3 32 Members Present: Joan Coco, Karen Pinette, Sandra Shaffer, Marilyn Shapleigh, Nancy Ziemlak, Jacquelyn Behenna, Debbie Small , John Parsons, Karen Fotino Others Present: Mark Dockser, Kevin Bohmiller, Amy O'Brien Meeting called to order at 6:36 pm Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: Nancy Ziemlak Roll Call taken Motion made and seconded to accept of Minutes for last meeting: All those in attendance voted in favor. ENS Update: Amy O'Brien • PSC closed for week and half due to a staff member testing positive for Covid. Staff continue being cautious and reminding people about wearing masks. Classes are full, games are at capacity or overenrolled in some cases. Games seem to have a higher number participants than prior to Covid. • Hillview Thanksgiving Event went very well. Amy and Kevin participated with other volunteers distributing over 200+ dinners. • Harrows Drive By went very well. • Holiday Drive By scheduled for December 23r° at noon. Donated food items from Christopher's Restaurant. • Tin Bucket was rescheduled for Jan/Feb due to covid issues and lack of receptionist. • Amy attended training on sign in system. She reports that she will need further training on the basics. She has some preliminary numbers and will share. Lack of a receptionist is making this task difficulty. Mark said that the BOH makes the decision about masks. Motion made to delegate Kevin to send a letter to the BOH stating that the COA recommends a mask mandate for the PSC. The PSC is currently strongly recommending participants wear masks. Sign is on front door and masks are available. Motion: made to delegate Kevin Bohmiller to send a letter on behalf of the Council of Aging for the BOH to mandate a mask mandate for the PSC. All in attendance voted in favor. • The Receptionist position is still not filled. Motion made for the COA to send a letter to Jean Delious, Bob Town Manager, with copy to Select Board and COA members to voice displeasure that the Receptionist position has not be posted causing undue hardship to the staff at ENS. All in attendance voted in favor. Outreach Mailing • An Outreach flyer was developed that was to be included in the Census Mailing. But Town Administrators felt that the time was not right due to the renewed pandemic variant so the effort was pulled In the past, the town used to send out the Pleasantries newsletter to all f# residents but this is no longer an option. but this will be put on the Agenda for discussion for the February meeting agenda. A motion was made to place this on February's Agenda, seconded, all voted in favor. Dementia Friendly Reading • SB and YMCA staff were trained, purple lights were placed at Town Hall. ReCalc • Mark Dockser reported that a consultant will be hired to help with the process of gathering information to assist in the planning process. John O'Neil is the chair of RECALL. There was an indication that short term issues may be addressed by the Committee. John mentioned that a "community center" versus a'Senior Center" was discussed and benefits were discussed. MVES Update • Marilyn explained that she put this on the agenda but requested that it be removed EHS'23 Budget • Jean Delious will be presenting at the SB meeting the budget requests for her departments including EHS. Mark suggested if COA wanted to provide input into the budget must be done by no later than January. Requests should be detailed and well documented. Marilyn and Nancy both expressed a concern that the COA needs to conduct research so that short term gaps can be identified and remediated through the budget process. Budget requests are presented to the Select Board(SB), feedback given by SB, then to Town Manager who then assembles the budget for presentation to Fincom, next FinCom presents to Town Meeting for approval. The FinCom creates a detailed budget report and it is a public record. Mark explained that in the upcoming FY EHS budget an additional 20 to 25 additional hours per week added for the Admin and 2.5 hrs for the Receptionist. Pandemic Survey • There was a Survey done at the beginning of the pandemic. Can we revisit this? All agreed to put this on the February Agenda. Trust Funds Jan -Feb Requests • Funds to conduct a February Drive by with a Valentine's day theme. Requested $2000 for this activity. Motion made, seconded, all in attendance voted in favor. Board Member Update • Sally Hoyt will become an Associate member. • Members should try to recruit a future full time member. • An application must be submitted and interviews will be scheduled by SB. Motion made by John Parsons to adjourn, seconded, and all those in attendance voted In favor.