HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-08 Council on Aging MinutesVI OF 40
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Council on Aging
Date: 2025-12-08
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center
Address: 49 Pleasant Street
Purpose: monthly meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Time: 6:00
Location: Conference Room
Session:
Version: Final
:i 4: 18
Ron Powell, John Parsone Rosemarie DeBennedetto, Kate Harrington,
Marilyn Shapleigh, Karen Pinette, Tom O'Conner
Members - Not Present:
Sally Hoyt, Deborah Small, loan Coco, John Saczynski, Tony Lionette
Others Present:
Chris Kowalesk, Jenna Woods, Karen Rose Gillis, Karen Herrick
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Nancy Ziemlak
Topics of Discussion:
1)The COA Chair called the December 8 2025 COA meeting to order at 6pm. Members
noted this was Chris Kowaleski's final COA meeting and enthusiastically thanked him
for his service. A send-off tea for Chris was announced for 10:00 a.m. the next day at
Pleasant Street Center.
2) Members said the minutes were detailed and needed more time to review so will be
approved at next meeting Corrections noted: An event title should be "Connected
Reading" (not "library open house"). Some attendance names were missing and would
be fixed. October minutes needed a spelling correction and removal of a last line, then
emailed for Town Clerk submission.
3) The Select Board Update was given by Karen Rose Gillis and included the following
info: Note that this in budget season, with department presentations underway (police,
fire, IT, Board of Health, etc.). Discussion clarified the Recal liaison issue: Mark is
attending the Permanent Building Committee (PBC), and although no longer a SB
member his liaison role is supported by the Select Board.
4) Elder & Human Services report given by Chris highlights including: Strong growth
and teamwork at Pleasant Street Center from staff, volunteers, COA, and Select Board.
Highlights included:
• Volunteer program growth (from 0 to 70+).
• November activity participation was well over 3,000 (noting a couple numbers
were missing, so totals were slightly understated).
• Program highlights included:
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o Thanksgiving Dinner moved to Teresa's Prime (North Reading), capped at
175, -171 attended.
o Annual Police/Harrows dinner (about 65-68 attendees).
o Programs such as Harvey Leonard (Channel 5) talk, Big Dig lunch -and -
learn.
o Adopt -a -Family: -100 recipients and 160+ donors.
Clarified reporting terms:
o "Nonclinical support services" = items like lamp repair/hairdresser/SHINE,
etc.
o "Walk-ins" = people who come in for information, help, computers, sign-
ups, etc.
o Transportation stats in the report did not include ATS/medical
transportation, only PSC-run rides.
5) EHS Trust fund request presented, voted and approved (Burbank Trust) by COA
members.
• Chris requested up to $5,000 from the Burbank Trust to cover Dec -Jan program
expenses including:
o Community lunches (6)
o Birthday lunch (1)
o Exercise instructor costs during a transition period (new payment system
implementation; cash not accepted)
• Discussion included concerns about:
o Avoiding a "slippery slope" of funding ongoing operational costs from
trusts. Trust fund donor intent (funding "above and beyond" normal
operations).
o COA needs to know the interest projections from the trust commissioners
for better budgeting. Interest info was expected in the next couple weeks.
o ARPA funds remain usable for some items (community lunches) through
end of 2026, but EHS wanted a buffer.
o Plan is to resume charging fees like pre-ARPA once the payment system
is running.
o Vote: Motion passed 6-1 after a vote to end discussion.
6) Outreach event idea: discussed, then withdrawn: Marilyn proposed up to $500 for an
inclusive outreach/social event ("Swinging 60s") to teach residents how to get town info
and updates. Members agreed it's valuable, but it was withdrawn to revisit after a new
Elder Services Administrator is in place. It was suggested that RECAL updates, ideally
attached to events people already attend (e.g., Monday lunches).
7) Racal membership packet feedback: COA discussed the feedback compiled on the
RECAL draft membership packet and related policies. Jenne said she would share
feedback with the operations working group and continue the back -and -forth process. It
was suggested tracking comments and resolutions in a spreadsheet so comments and
decisions can be documented and tracked.
8) COA members unanimously voted to form a RECAL working group with members:
Marilyn Shapleigh, Jean Prato, Ron Powell, Nancy Ziemlak„ and Kate Harrington. The
Purpose is to track ReCAL design/operations details, organize feedback, focus on
universal design and senior use patterns, and coordinate communication with staff and
the PBC and the public.
Page 1 2
9) COA unanimously voted to remove Tony Leonetta due to non-attendance (had
attended only one meeting and reportedly indicated he wouldn't continue). Members
noted the importance of attendance.
10) Future agenda items :
• Nancy requested RECAL/PBC updates be standing agenda items.
• Nancy announced she is resigning as the COA representative to the Permanent
Building Committee (PBC); replacement to be discussedfvoted at the next
meeting.
• Meeting ended with many thanks to Chris with a small gift and delicious cookies
baked by our Chair!
Motion made to adjoum at 7:39 with unanimous approval from all members. The next
COA meeting will be a joint meeting with the Reading Recreation Committee on
Monday 12/15 at 6:00 p.m.
View recording of 12/08/26 meeting here:
hftps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHwXQs5X6ow
View recording of 12/15/2 meeting here:
hftps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHODbB31CQ8
Page 13
Board - Committee - Commission - Council: m t U E I V E U
Council on Aging T O 4y N C ;- FER K
Date: 2025-12-08 Time: 6:00 PM L
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center -Location: Greast'R6o}tri''" L 9 rl y Ice
Address: 49 Pleasant Street Agenda:
Purpose: COA Monthly Meeting
Meeting Called By: Chris Kowaleski on behalf of Karen Janowski
Notices and agendas are to be posted 48 hours in advance of the meetings excluding
Saturdays, Sundays and Legal Holidays. Please keep In mind the Town Clerk's hours of
operation and make necessary arrangements to be sure your posting Is made in an
adequate amount of time. A listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be
discussed at the meeting must be on the agenda.
All Meeting Postings must be submitted in typed format; handwritten notices will not be accepted.
Topics of Discussion:
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 up at this meeting.
1 6:00
1 Call to Order, Attendance, Approve
Minutes
Karen Janowski
1 6:05
1 Select Board Update
Karen Rose -Gillis, Karen Herrick
J 6:10
J Elder & Human Services (EHS) Report and
Chris Kowaleski
Updates
Chris Kowaleski
:i Trust Fund Report and Funding Request and
Vote
6:20
= ReCAL Draft Document Feedback
Karen Janowski
Discussion (Continued)
J 6:40
] Working Croup Assignment and Vote
Karen Janowski
6:50
J Member Removal Discussion and Vote
Karen Janowski
7:00
- Future Agenda Items
Karen Janowski
J 7:05
: 1 Adjourn
Karen Janowski
Thk Agenda him been preparecl A advance and represents a listing of topics Nat the chin, reesonabl, anticipates will be dis wed
at me meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily induce all matters which may be taken up at this meeting.
Fagg 1 1
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Topic: COA December Monthly Meeting
Time: Dec 8.2025 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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This Agenda hea been prepanM In advance and represents a Ilaang of topics that the chair reasonably arwpates will be dhawsaed
at the meeting. Nosrc tine ageMa does not necesaanly inckide all matters which may be taken up at Mia meeting.
Page 12
This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a Belong 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 up at this meeting.
Page 1 3
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Draft Membership Packet (8 Documents):
1. Membership Packet Document 1: "Family Membership Form" (Comparable forms for
Individuals TBD):
• Perhaps register each participant individually, rather than having "family" membership
be the key field. Easier to track participation in activities by individuals. A separate field
used to store a "Household ID" could also be stored. But use of an individual ID would
facilitate coordination of data (& membership status) across Elder Services, REC,
Veterans, etc. (Banks, Health Insurance companies, etc. all use databases like this.)
• Design so that data collected for REC Membership can be "matched" electronically to
data collected in MySeniorCenter. E.g. make sure Household Last Name is on both, as
opposed to Full Name in one and Household Last Name in the other.
• WIII sign -in support stats on participation by individuals (vs family) and by age, etc.?
• what forms) would someone complete who is coming to the building for Social
Services, Veterans Services, etc.?
• How will "companions' be registered? E.g., a family member who pushes the
wheelchair and assists with bathroom use? A medical aide? A friend who drives and
just waits for the participant without participating themselves?
• How will participants from other towns be registered and tracked? Keytags issued for
Reading in addition to whatever their town has given them (if anything)?
2. Membership Packet Document 2: Welcome Message and Guide
• TBD
3. Membership Packet Document 3: Program Participation Policy
• The language "assume responsibility and be mentally and physically capable of
participation" needs to be reviewed by ADA Coordinator and universal design specialist
to accommodate those with disabilities. Also, who will decide if an individual is
"capable"? If an individual assumes responsibility for bringing along a companion
needed to participate, has the individual satisfied the "assume responsibility"
requirement? Etc.
4. Membership Packet Document 4: General Policies
• Many Elder Services programs do not offer weekly sessions — how will fees be handled?
• How is the term "program" defined? E.g., if someone drops in to use the 60+ lounge (a
room designed to be open as a 60+ gathering place at all hrs that the building is open)
between attending REC and/or Elder Services events, have they attended 2 programs or
3 programs? Other?
• Will there be a category of program that is self -directed, impromptu use of gathering
spaces in the building to socialize such as the 60+ Lounge, the hallway seating areas, the
multi -purpose room when not scheduled for specific activity, etc.?
• What is therapeutic recreation? Please elaborate.
S. Membership Packet Document S: Participant Consent/Waiver
• How will compliance with member's preference on photographs/videos be supported?
• Perhaps need waiver/consent on use of the Building rather than limiting the document
to participation in programs?
6. Membership Packet Document 6: Indoor Track Policy
• Clarification needed:
o What are the policies related to and supporting use of wheelchairs (and in some
cases a companion pushing the wheelchair), rollators, walkers, canes and other
assistive devices for mobility?
o How will priority use of lanes by age 60+be established?
o What are the policies related to different walking paces? Is the current language
clear enough?
o Is there a need for a policy for support animals on the track?
o Sandwich's policy of requiring that an adult accompany children of all ages seems
more in line with the goal of prioritizing the 60+ population. Many concerns
were raised about children age 12+using the track independently without direct
adult supervision.
7. Membership Packet Document 7: Standards of independence
• Clarify this document (which was originally approved by the Town Manager, and COA to
address the programs at the Pleasant Street Center). ReCAL broadens the participants
beyond the 60+ community —The policy should apply to ALL people who use any part of
ReCAL to avoid discrimination. Ensure compliance with ADA Coordinator.
• "Take responsibility for their own personal care..." should include inclusive language
supporting the role of personal assistant/caregiver who accompanies the participant.
S. Membership Packet Document 8: Photo Consent (form TBD?)
• How to assure compliance?