HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-12-09 Council on Aging MinutesCouncil on Aging
December 9, 2002 r
Senior Center L-•
Reading, MA 01867 P SS.
Present: Dottye Foxon, Barbara Powers, Edwina Kasper, John O'Ne ; b i6 rin' ~
Gay Williams, Dick Anderson, Ruth Goldberg, Pamela Brown (Administrator).
Absent: Ray Cabot
• Dottye Foxon called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
• The minutes of November's meeting were approved (motion by John O'Neil, second
by Betty Cronin).
• Pamela reviewed the Financial Report. The report was moved for acceptance by
Betty Cronin and seconded by Gay Williams, and passed.
• Highlights of the Administrator's Report for September and October was reviewed
and the report was accepted; the report for November was not yet available. .
• Regarding the Needs Assessment, Pamela reported that she had spoken to her
contact at Salem State about hiring a graduate student. The good news is that this
contact person is very interested in helping us out. He suggested we sample a
population of about 500 seniors for the survey; he would offer free technical services
and suggested hiring a student at $15 per hour. Neal DeChillo, who
is the Acting Dean of the School of Human Services at Salem State, would be willing
to meet with the needs assessment sub-committee of the Board. Members of the
COA were delighted with this report.
• On the topic of the Property Tax Program, following up on the discussion from our
previous meeting, Pamela reported that she had contacted four local COAs:
Andover, Chelmsford, North Reading and Swampscott, none of which withhold
taxes. Andover acknowledged that it is taxable income, but that they chose not to
do the withholding. Aside from this issue, the program is progressing well; two more
workers will work at the Police Station related to the community access sticker
program.
• Pamela, Edwina and Ruth attended a recent COA training session. They learned
that Reading is "unique" in its combining of Elder and Human Services.
• The holiday meals went well for Thanksgiving, and plans are underway for a repeat
on Christmas Eve day.
• In other business, we touched on the following:
Pamela reported that the van had been off the road for two days after
Thanksgiving - the driver was unavailable and the substitute was away. She
hopes to find and hire an additional substitute driver.
• We also discussed the walkway from the parking area to the Pleasant Street
entry - which has an incline, and no handrail, thereby becoming somewhat
treacherous for those using it as an access route. It was agreed that the
secretary would write a letter to the Town Manager requesting some creative
approach to making the walk safe, regardless of the weather or season.
• The new food service is improving.
• Pamela reported that we have a new computer mentor, who will be available on
Wednesdays. There will be two computer classes conducted in January.
• The meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Clay waua*yw
Gay Williams, Sec'y