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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-04-06 Council on Aging MinutesCouncil on Aging April 6, 1998 Berger Room Town Hall 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2684 Present: Mary Andreola, Dave Brigham, Gladys Cail, Betty Cronin, Beth Moore, Gay Williams, Lois Bond Excused: Dottye Foxon, Edwina Kasper, Joanne Wooldridge Guests: Sally Hoyt, Jacquie Carson, Peter Hechenbleikner The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Mary Andreola at 7:00 p.m. Gladys Cail moved and Betty Cronin seconded a motion to adjust the agenda to accommodate presentations by Ms. Carson and Mr. Hechenbleikner. 6-0-0 Jacquie Carson, Executive Director of United Church Homes, Inc. presented their new program, Sanborn Home Care, which began October 1997. The goal is to provide support services to promote aging in place. The average age at Peter Sanborn Place is 85. Sanborn Home Care includes a wellness program, medication monitoring with an area pharmacy that delivers medication weekly, medical alert for prevention and safety of all residents. Resident Service Coordinator constructs team to cover resident's care needs. MVES contract for homemakers and personal care attendants is being absorbed by Sanborn Home Care. (40 of 77 residents currently are MVES clients) The fee is a flat $15/hour with the question of sliding fees to be addressed. Peter Hechenbleikner talked with the members about the legacy from Mrs. Burbank's estate. He said the COA needs to develop a policy on how the money is to be spent. He outlined three strategies: 1. Spend principle and interest; 2. Spend interest; 3. Spend principle and interest with specific restrictions. There potentially may be available $12- 15,000 of interest per year. Guidelines for application to programs supported by the funds may include means testing. Peter suggested snow plowing and a computerized telephone reassurance program as appropriate examples for legacy consideration. Gay Williams asked if the warrant article for Town Meeting needed to include the phrase that the Trust Fund Commissioners would administer the fund under the direction of the COA. Peter said that the direction should be incorporated within the policy. Dave Brigham talked about the expenditure approval process: that staff review and submit proposals for consideration by the COA; that there be proactive rollover of interest to preserve the principle and hedge against inflation. Peter assured that there is a separate tracking system for each recipient but the funds are co-mingled to maximize the investment. Peter and Jacquie left. COA minutes April 6, 1998 Page 2 Dave Brigham and Gay Williams will work on priority list of expenditures. Suggestions from members included: 1. Programs: social programs, computers; 2. Services: respite care, legal assistance, subsidize medical treatment; 3. Outreach. COA members felt strongly that salaries not be paid from the legacy. Minutes of the February 9, 1998 meeting were moved by Gay Williams and seconded by Dave Brigham. 6-0-0 Minutes of the March 2, 1998 meeting were moved by Gay Williams and seconded by Gladys Cail. 6-0-0 The financial reports were not available at the time of the meeting. The Administrator's report was moved by Gay Williams and seconded by Beth Moore. 9-0-0 Mary Andreola read Doris Fantasia's letter of resignation as the COA's representative to the MVES Board of Directors. The position will be advertised by the Town Clerk and the COA at the May meeting will interview people seeking appointment Dan O'Leary, MVES Executive Director is seeking people with fundraising or development experience. There is a monthly meeting plus assignment to one other committee which may be finance, bylaws, program oversight, advocacy/planning and personnel. The assignment is to complete a term through September 1998. Normal term is three years. Gladys Cail moved and Betty Cronin seconded a motion to accept with regret Doris Fantasia's letter of resignation. 6-0-0 People congratulated Gladys Cail's election as Vice President of the Patrons for Older Adults. Meeting adjourned 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lois K. Bond