HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-09-09 Council on Aging MinutesCouncil on Aging
September 9, 2002
Senior Center
Reading, MA 01867
Present: Barbara Powers, Edwina Kasper, Dottye Foxon, John O'Neill, Betty Cronin,
Gay Williams, Dick Anderson, Pamela Brown (Director).
Absent: Ray Cabot
• Dottye Foxon called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
• The minutes of June's meeting were approved (motion by John O'Neill, second by
Dick Anderson).
• Pamela reviewed the Financial Report. The report was moved for acceptance by
John O'Neil and seconded by Dick Anderson, and passed.
• Highlights of the Administrator's Report for May were reviewed and the report was
accepted (motion by Gay Williams, second by Barbara Powers).
• Pamela gave a detailed report on the Property Tax Program. As of June 30"
$7362.66 was expended against an approved amount of $10.5K. Council approved
the same amount for the coming fiscal year at an earlier meeting. This year Pamela
is trying to match people to projects and where possible, have the individual work
through the project - rather than stretching it out over the course of the year. She
has 19 individuals signed up for the 20 available slots.
• Regarding the Computer Room,,Pamela reported that students mentored at the
Center through the summer; the program will continue this Fall. Katherine Cella
taught a class in August, and John Campbell a native of Reading now living in
Woburn has signed on as a new instructor. There is a possibility that Steve Ostin
will conduct an Excel class later in the Fall.
• Sue Reardon is now handling the Shopping Program, which has 18 participants. At
present she has 16 volunteers and 2 substitute volunteers.
• We again discussed the Schroeder Trust Fund, reviewing its intent. The Board
determined to initiate a program of "remembrances" for folks celebrating 90' (and
better!) birthdays. Funds from the Trust Fund have been approved by vote of the
Board to be utilized to fund the purchase of cards, stamps, and related celebratory
items.
• Visits from other Departmental Staff will begin next month. Marie Ammer will attend
our meeting to discuss her work in social services.
• The town has hired a new Director of Recreation. Pamela has talked to him - Mark
Hyson - and he will be scheduling some trips for seniors (we had discussed
recreation for seniors at a previous meeting). Sue Reardon will be the staff person
to coordinate efforts with Mark, and Betty, Dottye and Edwina volunteered to be
resources from the COA.
• At the next meeting, we will plan to review the tasks/plans of each subcommittee.
They are re-capped here for reference: Needs Assessment: Dick Anderson, Dottye
Foxon, and John O'Neill; Programs/Activities (which will flow from Needs
Assessment): John O'Neill and Barbara Powers; Holiday Meals: Betty Cronin and
Dottye Foxon; "Marketing" by COA members: Betty Cronin and Edwina Kasper;
Newsletter support: Betty Cronin and Gay Williams.
• Pamela reported that the Newcomers' intergenerational Program, which in the past
has met at the library, will meet at the Senior Center, with a program on Dec. 7`h
• In other business Pamela mentioned that there are two kilns in the basement of the
Center, not being used; an insurance representative has indicated that they are
improperly vented for use there. A motion was made and accepted to offer them to
Coolidge Middle School (there has been interest expressed), and ask that ceramic
work done by senior citizens might, in exchange, be "fired" by the school. The
flagpole and light are now up in front of the Senior Center, and as our final action for
the evening we voted to reappoint Dick Anderson as our representative to MVES.
• The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gay W aUa~
Gay Williams, Sec'y