HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-02-08 Council on Aging Minutesi s eG)t
Council on Aging Board Meeting i j ~ i
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February 8, 2010
Reading Senior Center Game Room
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Present: Steve Oston, Marguerite Bosnian, Erica Deane, Margaret Havey, George
Lonergan, Carol Oniskey and Dawn Folopoulos (Staff).
Excused Absence: Gina Nelson, Carole Scrima, Stacey Bertocchi and Sally Hoyt
Call to Order: 6:31 PM. Carol Oniskey served as chairperson for this meeting.
Minutes: Approved for December 14, 2009. There was no January meeting.
Administrator's Report: Approved.
• The Administrator answered questions from the Council regarding the Senior
Center interest survey, the donation accounts and Project S.A.F.E.
Financial Report: Approved.
• The Council voted 6-0 to approve a motion to purchase and install a panel wall
with a locking door to protect the Senior Center desktop computers located in the
lower level computer room. The estimated cost is $1,580 for a used wall and door
system. Funds will be withdrawn from the Burbank Trust account.
Old Business:
• Christmas Hot Meals program was a success. Council members shared their
experience, and the Administrator shared notes of appreciation from clients.
• The Administrator updated the Council on Tuft's Lifelong Learning programs
after having spoken to the director of the Tufts University program. It appears that
Tufts would not be interesting in expanding to Reading. To alleviate current
financial difficulties, Tufts is contacting senior centers in the area asking them to
provide funds to pay for $35 membership fees. Lexington, for example, has
donated 10 such memberships for their seniors. Membership fees are in addition
to tuition, which can amount to a few hundred dollars per course. The Council
believes that livelong learning is beneficial for seniors and will attempt to find
ways to provide support for Reading residents in this area.
• The Older Patrons of Adults organization, which has disbanded, is disbursing its
funds in the vicinity of $100,000 to (1) create a scholarship for study in the area
of gerontology and (2) support various programs within Reading Eider Services,
such as transportation. This gift and its parameters will be decided at the next
Town Meeting.
• The Council voted 6-0 to continue to reimburse Medical Escorts volunteers at the
federally recommended mileage rate. Although escorts have not requested a
mileage reimbursement to date, the Council, nevertheless, felt that keeping funds
available for that purpose might maintain participation in the medical escort
program at a sufficiently high level. Funds will be withdrawn as needed from the
Burbank Trust account.
New Business:
• Steve described a new, full facility senior center he attended in Johnston, RI.
• The Administration asked the Council for suggestions as to where to find 20 or so
replacement chairs with arms for the Senior Center Great Hall. Those in current
use are deteriorating.
• The Myseniorcenter leased software will cost nothing this year owing to its
frequent lack of functionality.
• A member of the Council will be undergoing. surgery in the near future and will
hopefully return in May.
• For a recommendation on choice of medical alert devices, contact the Reading
Town social worker.
Adjournment: 7:45 PM.
Next meeting: March 8, 2010.
Respectfully Submitted,
Steve Oston, secretary