HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-12-14 Council on Aging MinutesBoard Meeting - Council on Aging
December 14, 1987
Members present: Rosemary Gibbons, Woodrow Baldwin, Gail Rourke, Aloyse
Jellison, Dick Felone, Barbara Doucette,Gladys Cail,
Sebastian Tine and Loretta Spaulding.
Staff present: Rheta C. McKinley
The meeting , was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by the Chairman, Woody Baldwin.
Motion by Dick Felone ;.seconded by Sebastian Tine to accept the minutes
of the previous meeting.
Barbara Doucette reported a balance of $51,612 in the Council on Aging
which represents 29~% of total budget.
Jackie Galuzzi, Director of Middlesex East Visiting Nurse Association
gave the group an overview of Medicare denials and how it affects all
of us. She then urged Board Members to write to both Federal and
State representatives requesting they allow adequate funding to pay
for necessary visits by Visiting Nurse and Home Health Aides.
Director's Report;
Rheta expressed her thanks to all who contributed to the success of our
Holiday Open House, especially to Barbara Doucette for "chairing" this event.
Outreach worker is doing an excellent job with clients, especially two, with
extremely difficult problems. With the homemaker shortage in this area
and no family members to assist the burden falls on the Council.on Aging.
Twenty-six (26) hot dinners were delivered at Thanksgiving to folks who
are alone and/or unable to prepare a meal. These were paid for Reading
Rotary Club and Harrow's Restaurant. Atlantic Food Certificates were
distributed to seven households courtesy of Salvation Army. Reading
Jaycee Santa donated $500.00 to be used as needed during the holiday
season.
Friendly Visitor Coordinator is setting up households who would be
willing to have a group of young people come carolling.
Third grade students from Barrows School h ave been working on an
intergenerational program with selected older residents. During the
fall and early winter they raked leaves and during the winter would'
shovel snow. They noticed one house badly in need of paint and have
volunteered to do the work. They will raise the money for paint and
supplies and have requested the Council on Aging provide matching
funds
Council on Aging December 14, 1987 meeting Page - 2 -
There was considerable discussion about relocating office and staff
` to "Old Library" and Senior Center to "wherever"; at this time it is
sharing space in Gallahue's with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Woody
met with Ruth Cogan and they felt the center could be staffed by
volunteers. Rheta and the Board disagree. They feel a fulltime paid
staff person should be at the Center at all times. Most Board Members
prefer to have center and office at same location. Woody questioned
whether Town Manager would allow us to make decision on new site; he
also feels too much time has been spent on discussing relocation - only
to agree and then plans get changed. We should appoint a committee
of three Board Members and Rheta to meet with Town Manager and Ruth
Cogan so we won't waste valuable time going over this repeatedly.
It was voted to have Woody send letter to Town Manager stating:
1. We want and should be involved in site selection-that's
the least they can doe
2. Council on Aging would like to see location before rendering
a decision.
3. Have office and center at same site, if this is not possible
then a full time paid staff person is to be on duty at the
center.
Needs Assessment:
Survey will be mailed to all residents 60 and over, including a
return envelope. All agreed.„to hold off on mailing until we know
where and if we will be.moving.
Advisory Committee:
Rosemary will contact president of senior citizens clubs in elderly
housing units requesting two r epresentatives from each complex to
serve on the Advisory Committee. Six (6) volunteers to be At-Large
members. This request will be made through newspaper column appeal.
March 1, 1988 is deadline for setting up the Advisory Committee.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Fran Longo, Transcriber