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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-03-24 Council on Aging MinutesCOUNCIL ON AGING Regular Meeting held on March 24, 1971 The regular monthly meeting of the Council on aging was held on Wednesday evening, -frch 24, 19' 1, at 7:30 P.10s at the Recreation Building of the Housing for the Elderly in Reading. The .meeting -vras called to order by Mr. Gardner, who had been ap- pointed Chairman of the Council by the Selectmen since the lash meeting. Those present in addition to Mr. Gardner were Mr. Evans, I"rJr. Tarn-ham, Mrs. Beaton, Dirs. Glennon and Mrs. louanis. Upon motion duly made and seconded it was unanimously voted to accept for the records the secretaryls report for the meeting held on February 24th, copies of v, ich had been previously mailed to all members of the Council. It was brought to the attention of the -meeting that the $1.,500 requested by the Council from the Town for the year 1971 had been voted on favorably at the Reading Annual Town meeting earlier in March; and Mrs. Glennon, the Treasurer, said that she had posted this amount in -the account book for the Council„ Tyr. Farnham reported that he, Mr. Gardner, and Soar. "McGrane of the Bureau of Cervices to Older Americans , had met with Par. Wells, the Superintendent of Schools, to discuss the possibility of having a Hot Lunch Program foar the elderly. He said that }fir. Wells had suggested that a de- tailed presentation be submitted in writing to the School. Committee in ad- vance of its meeting on April 12th when the matter will be on them agenda.. Mr. Farnham, Nor. Gardner, and possibly 14r. McGrane plan as well, to be there in person to discuss the matter furthers If the School Committee gives its approval, the neat step will be to ask for. the approval of the Selectmen.. ' . Farnham strongly recommended that the program be held at the Community Center, at least at the beginning, as this seemed to be a more feasible location than any of the schools or churches. Tars. Sias, a new member appointed by the Selectmen, entered the meeting at this time and was warmly welcomed by the Chairman. Her member- ship brings the Council up to nine persons, which is the largest nu=mber allowed under the Bye--Laws of the Town unless the Board of Health decides to designate a representative, but it was noted that they have not as yet responded to a letter written to them since the last meetings Mrs. Beaton said she understood that literature was being sent to Mr. Stratton by Mr. HcGrane regarding the Meals on Wheels Program, and that Mr. Stratton would probably be able to report on this program shortly.. The suaner bus trips were then discussed, and Mrs. Louanis said she would soon be making some phone calls to at least two bus companies to obtain costs and other details, particularly regarding the safety of the buses. She said she felt that the older people would like to go again to Fitz- william, N. H., and other places suggested were Newport, Rockport, and Ply- mouth. la Mrs. Beaton, reported that the "Y" Van Trips were going smoothly, and that hors. Honora U. Sullivan was taking reservations temporarily while Mts. Henderson is away. She said that the hours of the trips had been ad- vanced from 9:30 A.M. until noon to 10:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M so that the elderly could have lunch at the shopping center. The trips during the month of April more to the Redstone Shopping Center. She asked if the Council felt that any persons who did not seem too healthy should be kept from going on the trips, but it was decided that it would be better not to limit the per-- sonts freedom to go. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously: VOTED : That Mr. Evans, the member from the Recreation Department, be asked to work with Mrs. Janet Pierce, the Executive Director of the Summer Program for the Elderly, in planning for the five scheduled events, and that the following be assigned to help on specific dates: June 23 Mrs. Sias July 7 Q. Ornham. " 21 Nor. Gardner .Aug. 4 Nis. Beaton and Sirs. loua s 18 MY. Dub6 and lit. Stratton MY. Gardner announced that the ;astern Middlesex Geriatrics Com- mittee were holding a series of seminars at the Educational Building of the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital on April 14, 210 28, and May 5 from. 7:00 to :00 P.M. on the Needs of the elderly, and he hoped that zany of the Council would be able to attend. Mrs. Glennon recommended that thought be given, to the needs of people in nursing homes and shut-ins, who are often very lonely, and it was decided to look into the matter, giving consideration to the possibility of finding someone who might wish to take charge of such a project, or enlist the aid of younger people either individually or in groups. Another sup, gestion was the taking of crafts to nursing homes or shut-ins. It was noted that people in need of this type of service could be discovered by leaking phone calls or personal calls or by consulting ministers or the TTSH Program,, possibly making up a list for the Council using the Town Street Iiist as a basis. Mr. Gardner said that the Council might be asked to give advice and assistance to a group in North Reading who are initiating a recreational and educational program for the elderly there. Mks, Beaton brought to the attention of the meeting a series of programs on the elderly the following week on the In-,Tor_en Today" series over XB , and also a large mass meeting of the elderly from greater Boston to be held at Suffolk Downs on April 23 at which Senator Edward Brooke and others would be speaking in regard to legislation affecting the elderly.. There being no further business to come before the meeting, it was unanimously voted to adjourn, and NO. Gardner adjourned the :meeting at 900 P.Via. Respectfully submitted, Nathalle C. Beaton Temporary Secretary 2