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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-09-14 Council on Aging MinutesSeptember 14, 1987 COUNCIL ON AGING BOARD MEETING Present: Gladys Cail, Barbara Doucette, Rosemary Gibbons, Sebastian Tine, Dick Felone, Gail Rourke, Loretta Spaulding, Woody Baldwin, Aloyse Jellison. Staff Present: Rheta C. McKinley The meeting convened at 5:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. Woody introduced guests - Peter Hechenbleikner - Town Manager Scott Plumb - Council on Aging - Arlington Ruth Cogan - Health Director Eugene Nigro - Selectman - Liaison Barbara Ritchie - Patron of Older Adults Gertrude Poole - Patron of Older Adults Town Manager, Peter Hechenbleikner addressed the issue of Council on Aging space in the proposed Town Hall Complex. There will be 2500 square feet of space for our use. It will be bright and conducive to "one stop shopping". He asked for Council on Aging support of complex. Needs Assessment: W. Scott Plumb, Director of Arlington Council on Aging, who we have requested to do a needs assessment, explained different ways of doing survey and how to analyze the results. Do we want to determine need for New Senior Center or New Programs? Objectives of Board should be clear on what they expect survey to accomplish. The Town Manager then pointed out if we have a building with what we consider adequate space, there probably wouldn't be enough room for parking. Woody Baldwin would like Board Members to visit other Senior Centers to see kinds of space, parking, etc. are available in other communities. Board Members presented their committee reports. Gladys Cail - Board Training: 1. Prepare orientation package for new Board Members. Packet to contain listing of Board and Staff members. 2. Council on Aging By-laws. 3. Current copy of "Elderberries". 4..Council on Aging "Manual of Best Practices" prepared by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and services available at Mystic Valley Elder Services, Inc. COUNCIL ON AGING BOARD MEETING - September 14, 1987 - Page 2 Rosemary Gibbons; - Advisor Committee; Rosemary called five surrounding towns and found only one of them had an Advisory Committee. They help with projects as needed. Rosemary's suggestions: 1. What can an advisory committee do for the Council on Aging? 2. Have two committees - one consisting of business people and professionals and one of older people who participate in Council on Aging activities. 3. Try to obtain money for Council on Aging use from the Hospital Trust Fund. Doris Fantasia, a former Board Member, is enthusiastic and willing to work on this Committee. Motion made and seconded to have Woody Baldwin, Rosemary Gibbons, Doris Fantasia and Rheta McKinley work to establish this Committee. Dick Felone - Volunteer Recognition; Dick suggested ackowledging "Volunteer Programs" rather than individuals due to the large number of volunteers and the many programs. However, if an individual did something unusual or out of the ordinary, recog- nition would be given. Pictures and other publicity would be sent to newspapers, etc. each month. Gail Rourke - Public Relations: Gail proposed establishing goals and how to attain them through publicity and activities. 1. Attract new senior citizens with activities. 2. Inform seniors and local and state officials about our programs and needs. 3. Brochure, explaining programs, it would be best to have this prepared by a professional. A complete copy of proposal was given to each Board Member. Aloyse Jellison - Friends Committee; Letter written by Chairperson, Woody Baldwin, to Patrons of seeking the help and support for which they were organized, along with their favorable response. Motion was made and seconded to have two representatives of Patrons of Older Adults attend the Council on Aging Board M they would be free to express their opinion, but would have voting power. Older Adults was read, the aetings, no COUNCIL ON AGING BOARD MEETING - September 14, 1987 - Page 3 Sebastian Tine - New Projects; Sebastian visited Senior Centers in five communities to see "What they do that we don't". Things to consider; groups for chess, checkers, cribbage, choral, singles, couples, new comers and interaction with nursing home residents. Finance Committee; Rheta requested a Finance Committee made up of Board Members to give input at budget time. Some members feel this is not necessary because Rheta does such a good job. Aloyse Jellison then asked that $100 be requested in next years budget to cover the expenses of the Tea Dance. This is a perfect example why we need input from the Board. During the past two months, the Council on Aging and the Board of Health have been working with a client who had been hospitalized and his home badly in need of repair. Many people have donated services, furniture, etc. to help with this situation, however, the cost of needed materials and household articles was $674.09 for which no funds are available. Rheta requested this be paid from the Council on Aging revolving account. In addition $70.00 for groceries at the Atlantic Food Mart was purchased on the Council on Aging credit line. The motion by Dick Felone , seconded by Rosemary Gibbons was made that we approve payment of $674.09 out of Council on Aging Revolving Fund. Doris Fantasia agreed to accept appointment to the Board of Mystic Valley Elder Services; Inc. to fill the vacancy of Ruth Montague, who is moving out of town. Motion by Dick Felone, seconded by Aloyse Jellison, to appoint Doris Fantasia to the Board of Mystic Valley Elder Services, Inc. Due to the length of the meeting and many people wanted to go to the meeting of the Board of Selectmen, there was no discussion o r report of Rheta McKinley, Administrator. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.