HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-12-08 Council on Aging MinutesC-1
Council on Aging
December 8, 1997
Berger Room
Town Hall
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867-2684
Present:
Mary Andreola, Dave Brigham, Dottye Foxon, Beth Moore, Mary Mundjer, Gay
Williams, Joanne Wooldridge, Lois Bond
Excused:
Gladys Cail, Betty Cronin, Ellen O'Hara
Chairperson Mary Andreola called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
Minutes of the Nov. 3, 1997 meeting were moved by Joanne Wooldridge and seconded
by Gay Williams. 7-0-0
Financial report was moved by Dottye Foxon and seconded by Gay Williams. 7-0-0
Administrator's report was moved by Dottye Foxon and seconded by Gay Williams.7-00
Bond gave an update on the Adopt-a-Family program. The program is more intense this
year because of the dramatic increase in the number of donors. Staff developed a list of
"thirty gift suggestions for seniors" which is mailed to donors upon request.
Discussion about the succession of officers concluded that officer positions rotate taking
into consideration seniority and personal circumstances.
Bond shared the CORI information from November's MCOA annual meeting. The
workshop participants made a list of questions and examples of potential "problems"
created by a CORI check. The list will be presented to the Attorney General's Office and
the results of that discussion will be presented at a future MCOA membership meeting.
The MVES needs assessment was reviewed. Information was gathered from focus groups
held in each of the MVES towns, mailed surveys and surveys completed by providers.
Board members discussion centered on the topics of legal and financial assistance that
ranked high as needs of elders in the MVES area and through the state. Andreola
commented that people want "to get their life in order." Brigham commented you can ask
your neighbor to help with transportation or shopping but you do not ask a neighbor to do
your legal work. Williams asked if there is a way to get legal aid for low-income elders at
a reduced rate?
Board members reviewed the letter sent by Andreola to the Board of Selectmen regarding
w. y parking at the Senior Center when the new Police Station is constructed. There is concern
that there will he further diminution of parking because of where workers will park
during the construction phase. Suggestion that people attending Center put a placard on
their dash indication they are attending Center activities. This would enable us to know
where people are parking.
Guidelines for behavior at the Center were discussed. Bond attended an ADA workshop
at the MCOA annual meeting. It is apparent that if a person attending the Center is being
disrespectful or disruptive, unless there are posted guidelines for acceptable behavior, the
person's behavior cannot be singled out particularly if there might be a disability
involved. Members are going to gather examples of behavior guidelines used in other
settings.
The members discussed the Dorothy Burbank legacy. Andreola will represent the COA at
the Selectmen's meeting when the check is presented to the Town. It was determined the
February meeting will be dedicated to discussing guidelines for legacies and how to
proceed. Members will help gather endowment policies from various sources such as
COA, retirement communities and hospitals in preparation for that discussion.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lois K. Bond