HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-12 Council on Aging MinutesTown of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - committee - commission - Council:
Council on Aging
Date: 2024-02-12 Time: -6:30 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location:
Address: Session:
Purpose: Council on Aging Version:
Attendees: Members - Present:
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2024 MAR 12 AM 10'• 13
Joan Coco, Rosemarie DeBenedetto, Karen Janowski, John Parsons, Jean
Prato, Marilyn Shapleigh, Nancy Tawadros, Jackie Behenna, Nancy Ziemlak,
Karen Pinette
Members - Not Present:
Karen Fotino, John Parsons, Jackie Behenna, Linda Connors
Others Present:
Karen Herrick, Tara Gregory, Nora Bucko, Chris Kowaleskl, Jenna Fiorente,
Nancy Puleo, Michael Coltman, Susan Cameron
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Nancy Tawadros
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting called to order at 6:30pm
Approve January'24 Minutes: Nancy Ziemlak
January minutes approved unanimously.
Elder & Human Services (EHS) Report and Status of Noxious Odor Chris Kowaleski:
January was a good month. Lots of programs. Good turnout. Packed January. Numbers were
good despite two Monday holidays.
Many February programs attended and scheduled.
PSC Updates: More utilization of my senior center. Chimney liners installed. Second air quality
tests came back fine. DPW has been doing a fantastic job with snow removal. There were
questions and comments.
Trust Fund and ARPA Update: Jenna Fiorente: No update. No monies were spent from the
update. Jenna asked if anyone had questions regarding a specific ARPA expenditure. There
were questions.
Select Board Update: No Update- Karen Herrick had to leave for another meeting.
Reading Active Living Center Committee Liaison Update: No update- John Parsons was not
present.
BOH Health Survey: Marilyn Shapleigh: Survey was sent. Two hundred responses. Some
insights were shared. Community health improvement health plan forthcoming.
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SWEC Update: Karen Janowski: The group met. EDGE presentation regarding public private
partnership possibility. SWEC will work through recommendations for the space.
Reading Active Living Center Work Group: Nancy Ziemlack: Nancy provided an update on
the workgroup and highlighted members. Nancy provided an update on the efforts of BH&A.
Two more informational sessions are scheduled. There was discussion.
Newspaper Outreach: LTR for review & vote: Karen Janowski, Marilyn Shapleigh: The
LTE was read aloud and a motion was made and seconded to vote on submitting the LTE from
the entire Council on Aging. It will be submitted to the Post and the Chronicle. There was
discussion. Edits were suggested. Motion passed unanimously.
Event Planning: Open House @ PSC, Funding Request: Karen Pinette, Karen Fotino,
Jean Prato: Three dates have been selected to hold Open House events, inviting members to
the center March 20th, May 16th, June 12th, April 27th. Dates not confirmed. There was
discussion.
Reading Neighbor Network: Nora Bucko: Flyer regarding BH&A informational session was
shared.
Non -Pleasant Street Center User Outreach: Proposed survey: Marilyn Shapleigh:
Suggestion to survey folks who are non users of PSC. Costs being determined.
RCTV: High School Collaboration/Rolling Screen: Jean Prato, Nora Bucko: Partner with
RCN to get a rolling screen of senior center happenings, and potentially partner with a student
who would function as a reporter.
Volunteer to Manage Social Media Campaign: Any success?: Nancy Ziemlak: There was
discussion.
Friends of Reading Seniors 60+: Recruiting Treasurer: Nancy Ziemlack: Treasurer has
been identified.
New/Renovated PSC Outreach Discussion and/or Vote to a Hire PR Consultant: Nancy
Ziemlack: There was discussion.
AARP Grant Discussion and/or Vote to move forward: Marilyn Shapleigh: Marilyn shared
that grant money is available for well defined projects. Deadline has passed. Something to
consider for future grant opportunities.
Pickleball Discussion: Karen Janowski: Karen Janowski shared a google doc with the
Council. She spoke to the benefits of Pickleball to the 60 plus community and how the COA can
advocate for more opportunities. Nancy Ziemlack suggested discussion as a future agenda
item.
Motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and meeting was adjourned at 8:49
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