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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-01-14 Council on Aging MinutesCOUNCIL ON AGING SECRETARY'S REPORT January 14, 1985 Present: Administrative Secretary, Rheta McKinley, Chairperson, Lorna Knapp; Members: Dick Felone, Marcia McFarland Gray, Betty Knox, Ann Marie McCarron, Corinne Pecoraro, Jane Soule, Sebastian Tine; Associate Member, Frank Lemaire, and Finance Committeeman, Eric Shane. Absent: S. Lester Ralph, Mary .Segallo Chairperson Knapp called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. A motion was made, seconded and VOTED to accept the minutes of November 13, 1984 as written. (There was no December meeting). Treasurer Jane Soule reported that expenditures amounted to 44% of budget at the halfway point of the fiscal year. ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY'S REPORT Rheta presented each board member with a typewritten list of activities. Chair- person Knapp commented that December looked like a very good month donation-wise There was a discussion regarding the resignation of Phyllis Campbell, a Senior Aide, and the difficulty in hiring a replacement. Rheta stated she planned to write a new job description and forward it to the Mystic Valley Elder Affairs' office. Sebastian questioned the absence of the Senior Citizen column in the local papers. Rheta explained that due to-lack of sufficient staffing none had been submitted. ANNUAL DINNER There was a discussion concerning the Annual Dinner. The Board all agreed that the affair was exceptionally successful this year. Rheta reported that the total cost for the dinner and paper goods came to $1,965. and 489 people were served. After a short discussion the motion was made, seconded and VOTED to approve payment of $100.00 to Austin'Prep for the use of their facility, and two $25.00 dinner certificates to the two coordinator$,respectively. MEALS ON WHEELS Chairperson Knapp introduced Marie Patterson, Meals on Wheels Coordinator. Marie stated that when she was hired she was serving 23 people and is presently delivering 5g meals daily. She feels another person is needed to adequately service the number of homebound people who qualify for the service. Council on Aging Minutes -2- January 14, 1985 For the last two months it has been necessary for Marie to personally run a route. If she were unable to work there would be no qualified person to handle setting up the routes and handling the paper work. It was determined that 50 meals a day could be handled comfortably :without Marie taking a route. Summertime and holiday weeks pose an additional problem as volunteers are not regularly available. Marie receives many telephone calls at home from relatives of meals' recipients. There is much followup work involved when volunteers have been unable to deliver the meals due to the inability of the homebound to answer the door. Marie stated that the demand for home-delivered meals is rapidly increasing as efforts to keep people out of institutions are being emphasized. Bob McCarthy stated if more clients than,/can be handled efficiently were on :the list, he would evaluate the clients and/cut the list. The evaluation has not yet been made. Rheta was requested to inquire as to when it will be done. Chairperson Knapp suggested that if the slot for Senior Aide was filled, that person might be trained to act as backup for Marie on an emergency basis. The Meals on Wheels Coordinator's job description calls for 15 hours a week, which was sufficient when only 23 people were being served; however over 65 are being served and payment is made for only 172 hours. In an effort to resolve the problem, Chairperson Knapp stated a representative of Mystic Valley Elder Services, Inc. would be asked to attend the next Council on Aging Board Meeting. Marie will also be in attendance. BUDGET Mr. Shane questioned the first line item, Elder Home Care and Hot Lunches. Rheta explained the bill rendered for these services exceeded the budgeted amount by $505, The Finance Committee will be asked to transfer this amount from the Reserve Fund of the town. Mr. Shane opined there would be no difficulty in getting permission for a transfer. Rheta said there was a need for more money for the substitute van driver, and she also believes it is necessary to include a line item for overtime. If any employee demanded overtime money it would have to be paid to avoid a grievance, thus the line item is needed for protection. Mr. Shane questioned why this overtime has become a current problem. Rheta explained that in the past "comp" time was taken, but the union contract now states that money will be paid if the employee requests it. She stated it isn't practical-- to take time off as the staff is too small. At the annual dinner five employees were in attendance for a total of 20 hours at the Sunday rate of double time. Mr. Shane noted that with the proposed changes the 1.6% allowable increase would be exceeded. Rheta stated that $2,343. was returned to the town from revenue from classes and for van transportation. This represents about 20% of budget. Council on Aging Minutes -3- January 14, 1985 Mr. Shane stated Fincom doesn't try to set policy but will want to know ~qhy the need is there. He suggested that the reasons for the increases be specified, and the fact that the Council has explored all possibilities to no avail. He stated he would be glad to meet again with the Board before the next meeting-,of the COA Board. The Finance Committee meets February 14 and Lorna stated all board members were welcome to attend. VAN BIDS Three bids were received to provide a new 15-passenger van: 128 Sales, Reading, MA $15,103. Knox Brothers, Somerville,_M $14,000. Stoneham Motors, Stoneham, MA $139775. There was a short discussion concerning the bids and the different options offered Besides being the lowest bidder, Stoneham Motors offeredall~.. equipment requested plus undercoating and lettering. The motion was made, seconded and VOTED to accept the bid by Stoneham Motors. The colors of maroon and white WA black lettering were chosen. CABLEVISION' Dick Felone reported he had been contacted by Donna Barrat Tucker, of Contin- ental Cablevision, and told she was opening up a new series of workshops in January and February if Dick was interested in getting a group together, the Council could put on a program. As the sign-up for participation is January 21 it would be impossible to meet this deadline. Dick will call her and ex- press an interest for any workshops planned in the Spring. COMMUNITY CENTER Lorna reported that Ben Nichols, a Reading historian, had called to request the cooperation of the Council on Aging Board in opposing the sale of the Community Center.There was a general discussion with the consensus being the Board would not be opposed to the sale to the Congregational Church or any buyer who intended to use it for senior housing, but would oppose the sale to a buyer intending commercial use. The meeting adjourned at 9:40. Next meeting will be held on February 11, 1985. Respectfully submitted, Aloys 'Jellison Recording/, Secretary