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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-10-18 Council on Aging Minutesk a -LEPK s' < ;U, MASS. October 18, 2004 Council on Aging Meeting at the Reading Senior Cent&u- _ I A 10: 3 ! 49 Pleasant Street, Reading, MA 01867 Present: Betty Cronin, Dottye Foxon, Ruth Goldberg, Sally Hoyt, Edwina Kasper, Kristin Kinsella, Carol Patterson, Carole Scrima, and Richard Cardillo, Administrator Absent: Barbara Powers, Dick Anderson Betty Cronin called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. • Minutes of the September meeting were changed as follows: "Motion made to allocate $1 S, 750 for the Property Tax Program for Fiscal Year VS." Minutes were approved including this change - motion by Sally, 2nd by Edwina. • Richard presented his September Administrator's Report, accepted. • Financial report presented and accepted. Richard wanted the Council to note that although he is working fewer hours (reflected in the lower expense amount in the budget report) everything is well covered. Richard reminded the Council that about $15,000 has been committed of the current Burbank Trust (interest only), so further expenditures, from the Burbank Trust must be weighed carefully. Also he reminded us that when. the new van comes in next year to petition Elizabeth Klepeis for cost sharing from the Schroeder ($6,000 from Burbank and $6,000 from Schroeder, rather than full $12,000 from Burbank) as the van will be used for medical visits for frail persons - not just elderly. Sally noted that the second van means increased costs and a larger budget. Richard confirmed that he has kept Peter H. apprised of this and is currently working on the new budget with him. Motion to approve financial report made by Dottye, 2nd by Carol. • The.consultant who is working on the proposal for reorganizing the department expects to have her report ready by the end of October. Betty and Ruth have already met with her, and Pamela will be meeting with her this week. As a part of her proposal she will outline her recommendations for the Elder Services administrator so that the search for applicants for that position can begin. Richard will pass on to the Council information as he gets it. • Sally brought up the current study of whether Reading could use a health care/urgent care facility and asked why someone representing Reading's elders wasn't included on the committee. Richard will speak with the Town Manager about including the Council in some way. • Betty met with the window treatment company for curtains in the, great room The shutters will be removed, windows cleaned inside and out, vents and fans cleaned by maintenance and/or cleaning crew. The window treatment company will create roman shades (tailored) for all of the windows except the door windows: The shades will be mounted inside the window frames so the original woodwork will be exposed nicely. The shades will need to be vacuumed now and again to keep them clean. Richard said that someone has donated $100 already towards the cost! Motion to spend up to $4,800 out of the Burbank Trust Fund for the window treatments made by Carole and 2nd by Sally. Carried unanimously. • The old Fix It room has been cleaned and repainted and awaits its new occupant: the pool table. The company that is moving it should be in the next couple of weeks to do the job. New business • Since the pool table will be moving, in order to make the large room downstairs more comfortable for meetings, movies, and BEST it is likely that 25 washable, stackable, and comfortable chairs will need to be purchased. Richard will bring in a catalog for the next meeting for review. • The cigarette disposal urn out front needs to be replaced as it has been vandalized and cannot be emptied or cleaned. After much discussion, it was decided that more information was needed re: public health and historical commission rules about placement of the new receptacle and common practices. The topic was tabled until next meeting when the Council will have more information. • Ruth reported that the latest Red Hat Tea had 26 attendees, 6 of whom were brand- new members. She also sold 17 cookbooks at the Open House - the cookbooks are selling well and the Hitching Post only has 100 left. The profits are donated to Elder Service. • Betty reported that the Open. House was very well attended and people seemed to be availing themselves of the information and the chance to talk with some of the area providers. Only one new person came, however, but the consultant confirmed when talking with Betty and Ruth that attracting new people to senior centers is a nation- wide challenge due to the changing ways people are aging. • Sally presented a new city of Revere law that allowed people over 60 to lower their water and sewer costs by volunteering for the city. The issue is how to fund such a program without passing on the costs to the rest of the taxpayers. Mention was made that the Property Tax Program is funded from the Burbank Trust Fund, therefore not putting an extra burden on the taxpayers. The Revere plan would not be appropriate for Reading. • October 23 is the annual Hallmark Health Care/Mystic Valley Elder Services conference. This year's topic is Alzheimers and dementia. The Council has free tickets available. • Flu shot clinic status? Currently the state has cancelled or postponed all clinics. Richard will forward the State Office of Elder Affairs hotline information for checking on flu shot availability to Betty to forward on to interested parties. • Betty asked for volunteers from the Council to deliver hot meals. from Boston Market on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve day. • Ruth asked about the status of the Yellow Dot Program and Betty said that it had been put on hold until January. Next meeting is Monday, November 8 at 6:30 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. - motion made by Dottye, 2nd by Sally 4