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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA 02/12/2020Minutes of the COA Board Meeting of February 12, 2020 �l ` -,-arc Present: Lynda Christiansen, Joan Hoey, Richard Kelsay, Tom Keogh, Mary Hourigan; Norma' Smith, and Paula Topjian. Josephine Madrazo, Director; Lynette Boldrighini, As*tm D.i ec q l Visitors: Nancy Graf, Eileen Berenson, Susan Feely, Scott Feely. ` Call to Order: Board Chairman Richard Kelsay opened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. Minutes of the Board Meeting of January 15, 2020: After examining the minutes of said meeting, Norma offered a motion to accept them, seconded by Joan. There was no discussion and the minutes were accepted by a unanimous vote of the board. Estimated Budget Status to Date and Warrants: Jo pointed out some expenditures from the Formula Fund Grant, otherwise there were no comments. Acceptance of the reports was moved by Lynda and seconded by Paula, then passed by a unanimous vote of the Board. Jo asked for approval to move some funds temporarily from the Gift Account into a Trustee Account. Joan made the motion, seconded by Norma and it was passed unanimously by the Board. Correspondence: None Director's Report: Jo gave a brief review of upcoming programs: An Irish step dancing program, sponsored by Southeast Rehab on March 30; a Self Care Workshop series, concentrating on creating passion and purpose later in life, to be presented by Tina Walsh, our chair yoga instructor; Valentines Day and Mardi Gras programs with entertainment; a Lunch and Learn Program, sponsored by Triad, on the subject of hazardous waste; Basket Bingo coming up April 15. The newsletter has a complete listing of all programs. Lynette Boldrighini, Assistant Director has taken on the task of updating "My Senior Center" software. We wish her luck. This software has many options that may help us serve our community in the future. There will be a raffle prize for the visitor who checks in to the COA the most times in a given period. The TV screen above the doorway in the lobby has been installed and will be programmed soon to advertise the future and currently running programs. Elisha will be monitoring the Memory Cafd. As was reported at our last meeting, Kristen Madiera has listed all of the upcoming trips for the whole year, so that people can plan. Joan Hoey opened a discussion concerning the expense of the programs. She asked if there was any way we as a Board could supplement the fees for those who are on limited budgets. After the discussion, no action was taken, but the suggestion was made to research other COA's to see if any of them do this. Old Business: Name Change- when the Town Manager, Kevin Dumas was here, he mentioned the slogan now being used by the Boston COA's ("Age Strong" ) to rebrand their senior centers, to attract people who are turned off by the words "senior " and "aging." Having discussed this at many board meetings, the Board agrees with our Chairperson Dick Kelsay, that there is a stigma attached to those words, and they do not accurately describe our active generation of people over 60. In his opinion, the stereotype is that we are "people without a purpose." After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Paula and seconded by Norma to refer to ourselves as The Mansfield COA Center for Active Living. The motion passed unanimously. For legal purposes, we remain the Mansfield COA, but we can refer to ourselves as the Center for Active Living. The full extent to which the name will be used is yet to be determined. Jo will seek the approval of the Town before we institute any changes. Treasurer Tom Keogh stated that he would like to continue his work on streamlining our financial reports and have summary documents ready for our meeting in April. Jo would like to spend down the Formula Fund Grant before June. New lighter, more portable tables for the lunch/meeting room were suggested. Dick would like to pursue the external signage idea. It would be one with interchangeable letters, perpendicular to Hope Street. Lynda suggested that it be covered to discourage vandalism. New Business: Jo reported on Dementia Friendly America Massachusetts (DFAM). She is arranging for Patty Sullivan, the Project Manager for DFAM to help us raise awareness here in town and guide us through the process, to become an MA Dementia Friendly Community. She will help us identify the stakeholders and plan training, working with both small and large groups. Paula asked if there would be any resistance from anyone in town. Jo thinks not, because we already have many folks on board, namely our Public Safety personnel. Board Chairman Dick Kelsay asked the Board to prepare for our next meeting, by considering the state of senior housing in Mansfield. He posed some questions for our review: How do seniors manage to sell their homes and downsize in 2020 vs. in the past? How do we address the issue of seniors in their homes as the economy changes? What resources are available? Who do you go to for help with financial planning, etc.? Visitor Nancy Graf raised the question of rising property taxes. The Board agreed that we need to increase our awareness of these issues at both the town and state level. Next meeting, March 18, 2020. The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 pm. The motion to adjourn was made by Joan and seconded by Norma. Respectfully submitted, Mary Hourigan Secretary Voting Summary: 2020-00 A vote to accept the minutes of the January 15, 2020 Board Meeting. Motion by Norma Smith, seconded by Joan Hoey. Vote: Affirmative- 7; Negative- 0. Voting affirmative were: Joan Hoey, Richard Kelsay, Tom Keogh, Norma Smith, Mary Hourigan, Lynda Christiansen, and Paula Topjian. 2020-00 A vote to accept the Budget Status and Warrants. Motion by Lynda Christiansen, seconded by Paula Topjian. Vote: Affirmative- 7; Negative- 0. Voting affirmative were: Joan Hoey, Richard Kelsay, Tom Keogh, Norma Smith, Mary Hourigan, Lynda Christiansen, and Paula Topjian. 2020-00 A vote to temporarily transfer funds from the Gift Account to a Trustee Account. A motion was made by Joan Hoey, seconded by Norma Smith. Vote: Affirmative- 7; Negative- 0. Voting affirmative were: Joan Hoey, Richard Kelsay, Tom Keogh, Norma Smith, Mary Hourigan, Lynda Christiansen, and Paula Topjian. 2020-00 A vote to refer to ourselves as The Mansfield COA Center for Active Living. A motion was made by Paula Topjian, seconded by Norma Smith. Vote: Affirmative- 7; Negative- 0. Voting affirmative were: Joan Hoey, Richard Kelsay, Tom Keogh, Norma Smith, Mary Hourigan, Lynda Christiansen, and Paula Topjian. 2020-00 With all business being completed, a motion to adjourn was made at 5:00 p.m. Motion by Joan Hoey, seconded by Norma Smith. Vote: Affirmative- 7; Negative- 0. Voting affirmative were: Joan Hoey, Richard Kelsay, Tom Keogh, Norma Smith, Mary Hourigan, Lynda Christiansen, and Paula Topjian.