HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-06-23 Council on Aging MinutesV/
Council on Aging
June 23, 2003 1m I r_
Senior Center f._ r
Reading, MA 01867 - - Z .
Present: Barbara Powers, Edwina Kasper, Betty Cronin, Gay Williams, Dick And 3oq i - FP 2: 53
Dottye Foxon, Ruth Goldberg, Pamela Brown (Administrator).
Absent: John O'Neill
Dottye Foxon called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
• The minutes for the May meeting were approved -motion by Barbara Powers, second by
Betty Cronin, and carried.
• Pamela reviewed the Financial Report. Motion to accept the report was made by Gay
Williams, seconded by Dick Anderson; motion carried.
• Highlights of the Administrator's Report were reviewed -
• The Volunteer reception went very well - good turnout, dignitaries were present to
acknowledge the volunteers' contributions.
• Pamela met with the Patrons of Older Adults - trying to build a relationship with the group.
• Pamela has contacted Lowe's for a donation to build the railing along the walkway from
the parking area at the Center; Walmart has given $350. Dick Anderson suggested
that if Lowe's does not reply, or gives less than the needed amount, that appeals be
made to Home Depot and Jordan's Furniture, the prime businesses at the complex now
under construction in Reading.
The report was moved for acceptance by Betty Cronin, seconded by Barbara Powers and
carried.
• Pamela reported that for the fiscal year just ending, we had 18 Property Tax Workers. She
anticipates these 18 will sign up in the new fiscal year, and anticipates another 3 will join.
Dick proposed that the Board renew its support for the program (from earnings of the
Burbank Trust) in the amount of $10.5K. The motion was seconded by Barbara Powers
and passed.
• Friends of the COA is a program being explored for consideration in Reading. Pamela
recently attended a workshop on this topic. She reported that a lot of work goes into
setting up such an organization, and that there was a wide range of experiences reported
by those attending the workshop. Pamela presented the idea that the organization would
be well served by a clear-cut goal, and proposed the conversion of Senior Center space
into office space for staff (by removing one of the stairwells). Glen Redmond, Reading's
building inspector has said this was feasible. We were invited to think about this over the
summer.
• Railinq for walkway - this was addressed in the Administrator's report, but if corporate
donations are not forthcoming, we think the money should be taken from the Burbank Trust
in order that the railing is in place before winter weather arrives.
• Pamela has found a "live" contact at the Carroll Center for the Blind (thanks to John
O'Neill) with regard to setting up Low Vision Computer Classes.
In the area of Programming, Pamela reported that she is pleased with the building of
relationships with folks at Wingate (who recently spent a session with her staff people on
how to train medical escorts) and Winchester Hospital, and looks forward to doing the
same with the Arthritis Foundation. As well she has set up some information programs with
help from an aide from Congressman Tierney's office, and will contact Brad Jones to see if
his office might also participate. A daytime Caregivers' Group is being considered in lieu of
the Alzheimer's Support Group whose numbers have dwindled.
• Relative to the Needs Assessment, the data has been collected; Pamela needs to meet
with the representative from Salem State to review next steps.
• In other business it was reported that the wheel chair lift on the van is not being used (if a
wheel chair is on the van, then someone does not get secured with a seat belt); Elder
Services staff is working to get wheel chair bound folks rides to the Center via The Ride.
Pamela also told us about the possibility of applying for a grant for a van, from the Federal
Department of Transportation - the application would be submitted in March, 2004. We
will have elections of officers at our September meeting. The meeting was adjourned at
8:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gay W aUa n&
Gay Williams, Sec'y