Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-04-08 Council on Aging MinutesCOUNCIL ON AGING Secretary's Report April 8, 1985 Present: Administrative Secretary, Rheta McKinley, Chairperson,:- Lorna Knapp, Members; Dick Felone, Betty Knox, Corinne Pecoraro, Jane Soule and Sebastian Tine. Absent: Ann Marie McCarron Chairperson Knapp called the meeting to order-at 7:40. The motion was duly made, seconded and VOTED to accept the minutes of the previous meeting as written. Treasurer Jane Soule reported that at the 3/4 point of the year the salary account was running at 71% and the remaining accounts 73%, which is right on line. ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY'S REPORT The various topics of the above report were noted and commented on. The Board was pleased to see that a grant for $2900 was awarded by Mystic Valley Elder Services, Inc., for nine months for nutrition related transportation. VOLUNTEER DINNER Rheta reported the Volunteer dinner will be held at the Senior Center at 6:30 PM on April 24. Plans for entertainment have not been finalized as yet. NEW BUSINESS There was a discussion regarding an elderly woman living in filth in a house without running water. The case has been referred to the Reading Health Director. The Health Inspector attempted to enter the house but was refused entry. Betty Knox suggested noti- fying Protective Services. OLD BUSINESS Corinne reported that she and Ann Marie McCarron had met with Betsey Fuller of the Personnel Board and Molly Ziegler regarding the upgrading of Rheta's position. The suggested that the existing job descriptions be reviewed and new ones created. She distributed three charts showing various plans for positions and workhours. She stated that the Fall Town Meeting was the presentation target date. Council on Aging -2- April 8, 1985 Corinne stated she was gathering statistics to make up a package in great detail. She said to create a directorship one must submit to the Personnel Board a job description for evaluation to determine the grade level, and then the grade level determines the salary level. If they approve the position, which has to be a non-union position, they would then put it on the town warrant. Rheta stated the five positions in the office at present are all union jobs. Corinne emphasized that the five union jobs should be maintained as the Union will object to losing a member. Corinne stated she was informed by Molly Ziegler that the Board does not have to go before the selectmen. Once it goes beyond Town Meeting it will go before the Finance Committee who will have to find the money. There was a lengthy discussion regarding the current organization chart and the two proposed charts. Rheta suggested that the hours of the office clerk be increased rather than cut. Corinne said she thought the clerk's hours could be supplemented with volunteers. She also suggested that the Outreach Worker could do her telephone work at the office. This idea was determined impractical as Ruth's calls are confidential and.should'be.made in privacy and without interruptions. Her calls are presently made in the morning at her home and the rest of her time is spent on the road. It was the opinion of the majority of the board members that Ruth's hours could not be decreased as she is already working in excess of the job's requirements. Betty Knox stated that the 25 hours slated for the MOW Coordinator is not possible as it is a funded position, and also a more definite job description is needed. Corinne stated she and Ann would be willing to sit down with each employee and really hash out the realities of the job and then write a formalized job description. Jane Soule stated that the person who is doing the job is the one that knows the job best and should write the job description. Rheta stated that at this time she didn't think it necessary to change all the other positions and titles and hours. It was agreed that the most important thing is to get one situation resolved.and then go on to the next. It was agreed that the first step would be to determine the person in charge of the office and decide whether or not that person is going to administer the office or be the clerk. Dick -acted the town has got to make a commitment- Corinne suggested transferring the" nstructors _salar,-s."to the-Oirector's salary 'c- count and seeking volunteer instructors. Chairperson Knapp thanked Corinne and Ann for all their work on this issue. Council on Aging -3- April 8, 1985 GRANT Chairperson Knapp read a letter dated April 2 from Mystic Valley Elder Services,, Inc. stating that the Reading Council on Aging Had been granted $2,900 for Nutrition-related Transportation for a nine-month period beginning May 1, 1985 and ending March 30, 1986. Lorna stated this would allow for hiring one person for 15 hours a week at $5.00 per hour to do shopping for homebound elders. She further advised Rheta to wait until she received a signed official notice before advertising for a shopping aide. OLDER AMERICANS`' MONTH Rheta stated she was trying to plan a special program for each week in May. All programs will be held in the Community Center except for the exhibition of articles made in COA-,sponsored classes which will be held in the Library. (Also May 2nd program). The following programs are planned: ® May 2 MIT nutrition study (at Library). ® May 14 Slides by Malcolm Choate of former COA activities. e May 16 Tea Dance ® May 21 Luncheon at Danversport Yacht Club e May 22 Professional dance couple will demonstrate. 0 May 29 Picnic It was suggested that Cablevision be asked to televise some of the activities on May 29. Rheta will also plan to invite the children from the Barrows' School. The Cooperative Bank will be asked to pay for the cake. Members of the Board were asked to man the exhibition at the library for short periods. A chart is being drawn up to indicate names and times for those so doing. It is planned to have plants and posters at this exhibit. There will be no refreshments served. UPDATE ON COMMUNITY CENTER Lorna stated that United Church Homes, Inc. has submitted a proposal for purchase of the Community Center. The deadline for submitting applications for the current 202 Housing is May 15. Bids must be submitted to the Selectmen by April 25. After the 25th the Selectmen will have a meeting with each firm that applied. The U.C.H. consultant will have to have an answer by May 1st at the very latestif they are awarded the right to buy the building, so that application for funds may be made. Council on Aged -4- April 8, 1985 PRE-RETIREMENY,COURSE Rheta discussed the feasibility of conducting a pre-retirement course to be held in the Library in October and November. She suggested having a financial planner, an investment broker, a state planning attorney and possibly a doctor. It would run for four weeks and be open to people 50 or 55 and over. Lorna suggested an appropriate subject might be the use of leisure time. Sebastian agreed with the need for such a course stating retirement poses many unexpected problems and adjustments. He suggested the formation of a panel of senior citizens meeting to exchange views might be interesting. Next meeting will be on Mayl3• The motion was duly made, seconded and VOTED to adjourn at 9:40. Respectfully submitted, 'l el/ son AloysJe Tecretary Recording