HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-09-18 Council on Aging MinutesCouncil on Aging Board Meeting
Monday, September 18, 2006
Reading Senior Center - Game Room RE WED
sent were: Carole Scrima, Edwina Kasper, Sally Hoyt, Ruth Goldberg, Barbara Powers, Betty Croft@j%WJGeribe~~~-
Bosnian, Margaret Havey (new member), Dawn Folopolous (staff) and Charlie McDonald (associate member). Absent:
Stacey Bertocchi.. h Nffl 30 A $ 52
Carol Patterson, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m.
June 12 and July 26 minutes accepted with a motion made by Betty, 2nd by Carole Scrima.
Administrator's Reports for June, July and August accepted with a motion made by Carole, 2°d by Sally.
Financial Report accepted with a motion made by Ruth, 2"d,by Marguerite.
Good reports on the Annual Reading Town Day. Four COA members manned our booth and thought there was a good
crowd. Carol suggested we think of ways to engage people in conversation about the Senior Center and our activities.
We will prepare conversation starters for next year.
The Jazz Program with Patty Carpenter was very well received with a very good turn-out. Dawn will speak with her staff
about doing something similar next year.
Dawn invited all COA members to the Halloween Party at the Senior Center on Tuesday, October 31 from 3 - 5.
Everyone had a great time last year.
Request for $1,519.30 from the Burbank Fund to supplement the purchase of new software to replace the STAR program,
1-hich is no longer operational and no technical support is available. Betty made a motion to use $1,519.30 from the
')ank Fund to pay for myseniorcenter.com software. Ruth 2nd the motion. Voted -unanimously approved
A.discussion of the Medical Transport Program was held. Dawn explained the Medical Taxi Program (how it was
administered, who pays, etc.) Elder Services receives $3,000.00 a year to administer this program, which the Hospital
Trust Fund' pays for.
Dawn proposed a pilot program which would make more seniors eligible for this program. Medical transportation
is a great problem for the elderly and the current program income limit is very low. Dawn's proposal would raise
the income limit from $22,214 for a one person household to $29,450 with the Burbank Fund picking up the
difference, while the Hospital Trust continues to pay for the lower income.
Motion made by Carole Scrima to discuss the proposal further after Dawn gathers the requested information. 2nd
by Sally
Some facts to consider were:
A cap on the monthly limit the COA would be willing to expend from the Burbank Trust
What income level to use, --50% of the median income, 80% etc.
Motion made to adjourn meeting at 8:05 by Ruth, 2"d by Edwina.
Next meeting is Monday, October 16, 2006 at 6:30 p m.
Sally Hoyt announced that the Legislature had passed the Choice Bill, which will allow people to choose either home care
or nursing homes when they are not longer able to care for themselves. Previously people were only able to'get these
services in a nursing home if they were not able to private pay for home care. She also mentioned that legal advice is
available to seniors through Mystic Valley Elder Services and Boston Elderly Legal Services.
p~spectfully submitted,
;.,rbara A. Powers