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Home My WebLink About2023-04-03 Council on Aging Minutes6OrR �� Town of Reading � , 1 Meeting Minutes �,,, � ark Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Date: 2023-04-03 Time: Building: Location: Zoom Address: Session: Purpose: Council on Aging Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING, MA. RA - 2823 MAY -3 AM 38 Joan Coco Karen Plnette Marilyn Shaplelgh Karen Janowski John Parsons Sally Hoyt Sandy Shaffer Nancy Tawadros Jackie Behenna Rosemarie DeBenedetto Jean Prato Nancy Ziemlak Members - Not Present: Karen Fotlno Deborah Small Beverly Curio Others Present: Chris Kowloski, Karen Herrick Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Nancy Ziemlak Topics of Discussion: NOTE: this meeting was Zoom 'bombed' and had to be restarted. Call to Order: 6:30 Approve March Minutes: All members voted to approve minutes contingent on corrections made ReCalc Liaison Update, John Parsons: SB has not made a decision about the status of RECALC Select Board Liaison Update: [Recap NancyT JeanP and MarilynS mel with Mark about the video] Mark is continuing negotions with the former Walgreens. He said that at the April town meeting there would be an update on what's going but any kind of vote is indefinitely postponed (Article 21) but depending on how things go there might be a special town meeting in early September and maybe possibly depending on how things go in a special election in early October but it's totally up in the air if it doesn't look like its going to happen we may be back to square one Symonds Way Committee Liaison Update, Karen Janowski: SWEC Committee met and discussed the initial results for the survey: about 1500 responses thus far, closes on May lst or the end of April. Jane Wellman presented survey results and at this point it looks like more people are looking for recreation activity as well as open space. Responses divided out by age group as well and the biggest chunk of participant participation was in the 40 to 49 year old range. Also discussed, the Architects feedback on additional options for Symonds' Way. There are a number of different site display options that are all available in the packet and online. Also reviewed SWEC's charge from the select board. Committee voted Page I r on two things (1) people asking if we could expand the scope to the larger area not just limit Committee to the 15 Acres purchased by the town. (2)Also discussed exploring possibility of a public private partnerships by posting an RFI. These votes were later deemed in violation of the Open Meeting Law by the town and will be discussed at the next meeting. The Committee wants as much feedback as possible. If it has not happened, it was suggested that the SWEC Committee involve Conservation Commission in the discussion. h was suggested and agreed that nziemlak would draft a letter to the Symonds way group supporting outdoor senior activities (ie- pickleball) and possibly indoor space. On -Going Business: Review Draft COA Video on Shortcomings of the PSC Building Discussion Question 1: does the video provide the viewer with a visual tour of the Pleasant Street Center to accomplish that goal. Some of the participants agreed that it provided a snapshot of the problems issues with the building. Others noted that some of the space was not included in the video. Many thought that it was a bit too long and repetitive. Discussion Question 2: was there anything in the video that you didn't understand or was confusing. This included some the scenes (ie Parker Street, Pool table, refer to the recorded video for the detail of this discussion) In anticipation of possibly showing the video at town meeting, scenes can be cut from the video but not rerecorded. Marilyn sent an email to Alan Foulds, town moderator. Laura mentioned that if COA has something that we want sent to town meeting members she can very easily send that to all the town meeting members. Some Ideas were generated of other way to distribute the video. It was suggested that the quicker we move on this idea the better. A special COA meeting will be scheduled for 4/18 to review and decide on distributing of this video at a minimum to Town Meeting Members. Elder Services Report, Chris Kowloski: • Busy March, See attached • In Analyzing the numbers since the beginning of 2012 March was the biggest month on record for participation. Also noted on the bottom of the second page we've had really good growth since the beginning of July 1 at so over the past nine months we've had a 132.28% increase. • we're added new programs every month • We're going to continue to add such programs such as a Community lunch —right now we have it on Mondays. • Kudos to the staff and as you know in you know eight out of the nine months we were not fully staffed so I like to you know you know it's been quite an accomplishment for the staff to be able to do this. • we've started doing more multi -generational activities with the rec department we had ceramic painting the last month which was a huge success and we're trying to do those at like in the four o'clock hour so we're trying to fill that with a little bit later in the day • we are discussing some evening activity It might be a good opportunity for the COA board to participate and see first-hand what's happening at the Center as several work during the day. Possibly a Board member could select one activity a month to monitor. • Anna's doing an amazing job with scheduling events • we're starting to get some breathing rooms I would like to hopefully within the next month to start looking at volunteers. we have been utilizing one of our CORI volunteer Page 1 2 regulars to come in to help set up our events, clean up for events , etc. and will be expanding that even more especially for the day programs. All volunteers must be CORI'd. And once the structure is in place we will hire a volunteer coordinator. Elder Services Requests for Funding: • A busy April coming up Chris is asking for up to a thousand dollars to cover the expenses for the three events : a birthday lunch movie and pizza and the theater show Motion Made to approve funding from Burbank Trust Funds, second made, all voting members voted in favor. • Suggestion made to allot trust monies on a quarterly basis to Elder Services for program activities. All agreed that further research would make sense on this topic. • Motion made to fund coffees for another three months up to $240, motion seconded, all voted in favor of the motion. Trust Funds Financial Report • No Report this month New Business: Update on establishment of "Friends of..:', Nancy Ziemlak: • Group held second meeting. Please let me know if you would like to see the minutes. The Friends are still in the organizing phase. There will be a table at the PSC Health Fair on May 11th and a booth for Family Friends Day on June W These events are made to raise awareness and most likely a fund raising activity will be organized for Fall'23. Update on Board of Health Survey, Marilyn Shapleigh • Marilyn attended the Board of Health BOH meeting last week with Pear Associates Consultant Group that was hired to work with the Board. They are asking the group for input on what studies and activities they be look at to learn about reading and they put up a list of what they've been told about and it did not include either of the studies that reading has done about the needs assessment for seniors so 1 provided the names of reports. They were asking for input on questions that they should ask —1 was putting in my two cents worth on that in terms of mobility issues and any other kinds of accessibility issues and what the town might be doing to make the town more inclusive. Marilyn will be sending them an email with a list of questions but I would like them to also ask about the degree to which loneliness is a problem I really worry about isolation in the community but that they are fact-finding about our community at this point to figure out what they need to ask and what's already known. Next COA Steps re: New Senior Center/Community Center Marketing Plan for Video: To be placed on the Agenda for the next meeting Motion made to adjourn, seconded, members unanimously voted in favor Gage 1 3