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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-11 Council on Aging Minutesorq� Town of Reading 0o �u Meeting Minutes '�xconvo+vt Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Council on Aging Date: 2023-09-11 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: Purpose: Council on Aging Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 6:30 PM Location: Berger Room Session: Version: re vN CLERK R l' � 1, SMA. ,9e OCT 10 PH 12: 03 Joan Coco, Rosemarie DeBenedetto, Karen Janowski, John Parsons, Karen Pinette, Jean Prato, Marilyn Shapleigh, Nancy Tawadros, Linda Connors, Nancy Ziemlack, Karen Fotino, Jackie Behenna Members - Not Present: None Others Present: Fidel Maltez, Mark Dockser, Jenna Fiorente, Chris Kowalesk, Nora Bucko, Charlotte Sotille Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Nancy Tawadros Topics of Discussion: Meeting called to order at 6:30 Attendees: See above. Acceptance of Minutes: Karen Janowski moved to accept minutes of 8/14. John Parsons seconded. Unanimously accepted. 8/21- Karenn Janowski suggested to strike the comment about her in the 8/21 minutes. Marilyn made a motion to accept the minutes as amended. John Parsons Seconded. Vote was unanimous to accept minutes as amended. Nest was Select Board update from Mark Dockser. Core activity is the issue of RFP. Will be in paper and online 9/20. Plan is by November 13th a contract will be executed. A member of the COA needs to join the selection committee, as well as a member of ReCalc and Permanent Building Committee. Rosemarie asked for clarity on the RFP. Mark shared this this is a RFP for a feasibility study. Rosemarie asked about land, Mark shared that Oakland Road should be explored. Karen asked about the timelines in the RFP and whether they were shortened. Mark responded that the timeline is now 1-2 months. Page I 1 ReCalc Liaison Update: Mark provided the update. ReCalc had formed some committees to ask questions about other centers, operations, finance, transportation, program activities and briefing whoever is hired for feasibility study. ReCalc is trying to put together a list of questions to help identify who we are looking for from an interview perspective. Jenna and Chris will likely participate in these conversations. The goal is to ensure the briefing of this consultant. John Parsons shared that Chris Kowaleski is in contact with a lot of these centers. Chris shared that things at different centers are evolving and a list should be formulated. Nancy Ziemlack encouraged the Council to watch the ReCalc meetings. Fidel shared that a group will be formed to pick the designer, and a member of the COA should be appointed to that. Rosemarie shared that folks visited other centers. Mark shared that we need more specific questions asked from these centers, which is ReCalc's mission to gather and will inform the feasibility study. Chris Kowaleski agreed that the town is in a good position from a transportation perspective, but that does not mean that we will not later on and we should explore. Marilyn Shapleigh agreed that this subject of transportation requires exploring, and shared the Board of Health survey will address this question. John Parsons shared that the Town of Andover has a larger tax write off program, as well as a mileage reimbursement, which allows folks to provide transportation to those in need. Marilyn shared they also have a bus route that stops at the Senior Center. Nancy Ziemlack encouraged involvement of the COA with ReCalc and that we support their efforts. Symonds Way Liaison Update from Karen Janowski. The meeting this week was to discuss the dog park, and it was cancelled due to lack of quorum. The RFI did go out for a public private partnership to develop the area with a deadline of September 28. Elder Services Report from Chris Kowaleski. Chris shared a strong start to the fiscal year, good events in August with increased participation and services. Increased participation in patient portals, and let's get digital. Shoutouts to DPW for trimming the bushes and Attorney Crowley for his pro bono work. Chris clarified duplicated vs unduplicated services. Chris has a goal of 3000 duplicated interactions YTD. There is a busy calendar of events for September. Chris thanked the staff for all their work. Air quality test was completed, and everything came back clear. Another test will be completed once the heating system is turned on. A new stove is being ordered with electronic ignition. In regards to AED's- two exist in the building. A few staff are trained and certified. Chris does not see the need to purchase another AED. Jean Prado shared that there is a new model of AED, Chris Kowaleski shared that we have that functionality in our current AED's. Jean Prado asked if Chris is comfortable with the Page 1 2 current scenario, Chris shared that he is comfortable and what we have is adequate. Jean asked about refresher courses for CPR training. Rosemarie DeBennedetto asked about the air quality test. Chris shared that all floors were tested and came back clear. Jean asked if the heating system has been cleaned. Chris shared that the vans are good, receive regular maintenance from DPW and were just fitted with backup cameras. There is a plan to hire someone to maintain the flowerbeds. There are volunteers that care for them currently. Tax volunteers- Anna is trying to get volunteers for this upcoming tax season. There is a plan to get the volunteer coordinator position posted soon. A sound company is coming out to assess sound. There is an effort to get access to the local papers including the Boston Globe and Chronicle. Nancy Ziemlack shared that this report is based on concerns that were shared with Chris and appreciates the delivery of the report. Chris shared that he values feedback and encouraged that it be shared. ARPA Funds and Trust Funds Financial Report Next was discussion on trust fund report. Karen Janowski asked about funding from funds and shared that it was minimal. Chris shared that the goal is to spend from ARPA funds and allow the trusts to build. Nancy Ziemlack shared that she and Rosemarie met with Chris to try and understand the ARPA funds report. There is a plan to meet with finance to better understand the report. Nancy shared that 100k went to cover the cost of salary augmentations for FTE's and the volunteer coordinator, and that these folks contribute to programming and fall under the programming umbrella. Nancy and Rosemarie plan to work to separate the reports. Chris Kowaleski shared that he is grateful for the ARPA funding. Next was discussion on Requests for Funding — Elder Services- Chris Kowaleski is asking for up to $1200 to cover three events. John Parsons made a motion to fund from Burbank. Marilyn Shapleigh seconded. Vote was unanimous. COA (newspaper subscriptions and outdoor furniture) -Marilyn shared a request for funding for outdoor furniture. The decision was made to table this plan until March. Marilyn shared the COA conference coming to Danvers. Marilyn will track who is interested in the conference on October 11, 12 and 13th and is waiting for more information. Nancy Ziemlack encouraged participation. Mark Dockser left the meeting at 7:29 John Parsons suggested looking into a complimentary subscription to the Chronicle. John will contact Rich Haggerty to purse. Page 1 3 Next was the Street Fair update. Marilyn shared the jar opener that was designed and distributed at the fair. Nancy Ziemlack thanked Jean Prado for pulling the design together and shared that Marilyn and Rosemarie helped at the fair. Next was discussion on the 501 c3 for the Reading Friends of 60+. Charlotte Sottile, treasurer, was present at the meeting. Nora Bucko, recording secretary, was present at the meeting. The group is close to finalizing the 501c3 and will be able to fundraise. Next was update of noxious fumes. Nancy Ziemlack shared that she will attend the Select Board meeting to get an update on a remediation plan based on the letter that was submitted by the COA. Marilyn Shapleigh asked for more attendance at the Select Board meetings during public comment. Chris Kowaleski shared that an engineering firm and facilities came out to assess the situation and determine what can be done, and the challenges that come with a historical building. Nancy Ziemlack appreciated the update. He also shared that we have to consider efforts towards a new senior center and whether an upgrade of the current heating center makes sense. Marilyn Shapliegh shared that the results of the air quality study will help to inform that answer. Jean asked if the burner has been cleaned and if National Grid has come out to test it. Chris shared that he trusted the efforts that are in motion, and that he will work on the cleaning part. Linda Connors left the meeting at 7:50 Finally, discussion regarding communication and outreach strategy for a new Senior Center. Nancy Ziemlack shared that she created a one pager to help direct folks to the video, and shared that she was sending that message out to voters and community members. Rosemarie DeBennedetto was also an integral part of that outreach. Nancy Ziemlack asked for an outreach brainstorming session and to call a special meeting to discuss these ideas, figure out a timeline and assign volunteers to tasks. Chris Kowaleski documented the list of ideas. Nancy Ziemlack proposed a work group to work on these ideas and put together a strategy John Parson shared regarding his meeting to Senator Lewis information regarding senate bill s1143 and house bill 1724 regarding stopping gambling in senior centers. This will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. John Parsons asked that the COA members read before the next meeting. Karen Janowski made a motion to adjourn at 8:39. John Parsons seconded. Meeting adjourned by unanimous vote at 8:40. Page 1 4