HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-03-24 Council on Aging MinutesCOUNCIL ON AGING
Regular Meeting - March 24, 1975
The regular meeting of the Council on Aging was held: on Monday,
i4arch 24, 1975 at the Recreational, Building of the Housing for the Elderly,
Reading, Mass,
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Mrs, Virginia Hodson,
at 7&45 P.M. In addition to the Chairman, Mrs, Hodson, those in attendance
were Mrs, Verna Lantz, Mr, Charles Stratton, Mrs. Jeanne rube' and Mr.
Robert Sullivan, a new member of the board representing the Recreational.
Department, who was welcomed by the Chairman, The secretary, firs, Thelma
Somers, was also present,
On motion duly made and seconded it was unanimouslys
VO'EDs To accept the secretary's rcp:rt o the Jan, 20,
meeting, copies of which _hac oven mailed to all
Council members, Due to sickness the meeting
scheduled for February was canceled,
On motion duly made and seconded it was unanimouslya
V~3m: To accept the treasurer's report stating
Balance as of Feb, 28 60283-24
State Grant 79,26
Estimated Balance March 31 .5075-18
State Grant 8-54
''}rs, odson reported on her research into a possible diabetic clinic
and l.earnea, that all equipment and materials for this type of testing
would have to be paid for out of our budget,
Mrs, 'godson also reported that she had been unsuccessful in contacting
a Podiatrist who could provide service in this area to our elder citizens.
She will continue to make contacts that hopefully will prove fruitful,
The I'lercharidi„se Discounts for our Senior Citizens here in Reading is
yet to be pursued,:
The Rotary wish to do something for the Reading Senior Citizens, and
it was the unanimous recommendation of the board that a movie projector
would be most welcome, depending, of course, on the amount of money they
wash to spend. Other suggestions were a ball game take-an o a movie,
bM?rs, Hodson spoke briefly of her plan to delegate areas of concern to
each member of the board, but since a full complement of the board was not
present, she will discuss this at a future meeting,
The board were asked to be thinking of the up-coming Summer Program,
and bus schedule.
Mrs. A. S. McGoldrick, representing Area III Area Agency on Aging,
Tnc., spoke to our board on the services her office is able to render the
Council. Tzne area :l ency serves as a liason for the Massachusetts
Office of Elder Affairs,
ltcs. Hodson reminded the board of our scheduled meeting with the
Finance Committee at 860 poKs on 11,1arch 255 In view of this a goad part
of our meeting time was spent reviewing the complexities of the budget.
Pr. 8ablonel our bus driver, will be taking a vacation the week of
April 14. Our former substitute driver, Mr. weetser, is no longer able
to accommodate us, and in view of this mfrs. Somers will contact a"r.
Elizabeth 011vialey, 7 Milton road, a former volunteer driver, as a possible
substitute.
Mrs. Somers spoke of talking with Mr, Lincoln Higgins of the Mass.
Department of Elder affairs relative to hot-meal programs. Title 7, a.
Federal Subsidy program, at present has no additional funding. In order
to be eligible for this program our elderly population of Reading would,
have to fall in the 151% "d'oor Category" ease it is not available to us.
The meals offered under this subsidy were sampled some time ago by members
of our Board when this program was first investigated. The members thought
at that time that the meals dial not come up to the poorest TV dinner. Mr.
Higgins said that they have since been upgraded, Massachusetts has an
appropriation of 2.835 million out of the 1001 million Federal, appropriation.
The State hot-meal program comes under the Massachusetts Department of
Lducation, and the hot 'meals under this program are those offered at the
school cafeterias. These meals are geared to the young and not entirely
suitable for the elderly. Until -there is more funding this program, too,
is presently out of reach.
There being no further business and on motion duly made and seconded,
It was unaz i-nt,!sl
OT _ J, To adjourn the. meeting at 1Q s fl0.
tespectful.ly submit d.,,
e ma ~ o s
Secretary