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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVolunteer Advisory Sub Comm. 09/14/2021V Volunteer Advisory Sub -Committee Meeting Minutes for September 14, 2021 Present: Frank DelVecchio and Jess Aptowitz R CEIVED f! CRU OFFICE • Open the Meeting Mr. Aptowitz called the meeting to order at 4:30PM. Mr. Aptowitz introduce�itpp7y�� Ylr.91W&A Ad51 explained why the committee was established.HELD ppe 7. ICY"T! Mr. Aptowitz then introduced Josephine Madrazo, COA Director and Richard Kelsay,'C6A Cir'were present for the first two interviews. • Interview Ms. Patricia Comperchio to serve on the Council on Aging (4:30PM) Mr. Aptowitz asked Ms. Comperchio to introduce herself and provide her background and work experience. She explained that she retired three years ago from Blue Cross as an Auditor Director. She stated that she volunteers with the Friends of the COA and is good at fundraising. She further explained that she works well with others, has mentored people, and is very organized. Mr. Aptowitz said that it is difficult because there is only one opening on the COA Board and there are two candidates. Mr. DelVecchio explained how he was not appointed to the Finance Committee until the second time he applied and hoped that she would not be discouraged if she were not appointed. Ms. Madrazo then described the Council on Aging Board and explained how active the Board members were in the COA. Mr. Kelsay explained his role as Chair of the Board and stated that the public perception of what the COA is not accurate and its important to encourage residents to come and see all of the programming that is offered. Ms. Comperchio then asked a few questions that were answered by Ms. Madrazo. Mr. Delvecchio and Ms. Champagne explained the next steps of the process and Ms. Comperchio left the meeting. • Interview Ms. Paula Devine to serve on the Council on Aging (5:00PM) Mr. Aptowitz introduced Mr. DelVecchio, Ms. Madrazo and Mr. Kelsay to Ms. Devine. Ms. Madrazo explained the COA and stated that the COA provides services and programing to meet the needs of the senior community members and then she stated that the COA Board meets to discuss ideas and how well they are doing at achieving those goals. She noted that the number of seniors in the Town is growing and it is a collective and team approach. Mr. Kelsay stated that as Chair he reaches out to Board members monthly for agenda items and his goal is to keep the meeting moving and wants everyone to have a voice. He also stated that he wants the image of the COA to be more positive and that it is not just "a bunch of old people sitting around" and he said they have made progress and wants more people over the age of sixty to be more active with the COA. Mr. Aptowitz asked Ms. Devine to tell them about herself. She stated that she is retired and is an active member of the COA. She added that she is a volunteer with the Friends of the COA and is part of the fundraising committee. She said that teaches a jewelry class at the COA and is also active in the Elks and volunteers at MMAS. She also works as part of the Senior Tax Work off Program at the Fire Department. Mr. Aptowitz asked her what strongest attribute was and she responded that she is always willing to help and likes to come up with ideas. She stated that she is not shy in giving her opinion and what she would like to see happen at the COA. She stated that when the COA moves to the new building on West Street that a community garden, kayaking and canoeing would be great additions and could work with L.L. Bean. She also thought that possibly changing the name may help get involvement from younger seniors. Mr. DelVecchio asked how long she has been involved with the COA and she said about three to four years. Mr. Aptowitz then explained that on the October 6th agenda of the Select Board will be the consideration by the full Select Board to appoint a candidate to serve on the COA. Ms. Devine then left the meeting. Mr. DelVecchio, Mr. Aptowitz, Mr. Kelsay and Ms. Madrazo discussed both candidates. Mr. DelVecchio said that both were good contributors and have been volunteering about the same number of years. Mr. Aptowitz understood that Ms. Madrazo and Mr. Kelsay would not have to provide a recommendation because they work with each of the candidates through the Friends of the COA and that could be uncomfortable. Mr. Aptowitz stated that he would recommend Ms. Devine because she seems more involved with the COA. He stated that he would want to appoint both, but there is only one opening. Mr. DelVecchio agreed and noted that there could be a vacancy in the future as it is renewal season coming. Mr. DelVecchio stated that he would recommend Paula Devine to the Select Board for consideration to the Council on Aging. Mr. Aptowitz agreed. Ms. Madrazo commented that they were both great candidates and Mr. Kelsay agreed. Mr. Kelsay and Ms. Madrazo left the meeting and Ms. Beth Ashman -Collins, Chair of the Planning Board arrived for the next two interviews. • Interview Mr. Brendan Roche to serve on the Planning Board (5:40PM) Mr. Aptowitz introduced Ms. Ashman -Collins and thanked Mr. Roche for coming. Ms. Ashman -Collins then provided a summary of the Planning Board and the responsibilities members have. Mr. Aptowitz asked Mr. Roche to tell them about himself. Mr. Roche stated that he was a lifelong resident of Mansfield and went to school for architecture and is working now to get licensed. He stated that he was part of Master Plan Committee and wants to make Mansfield a successful town. Mr. Aptowitz asked him what interested him in applying for the Planning Board and he responded stating that his background in architecture and the Master Plan Committee was a good opportunity to get his feet wet He also added that he is a diligent researcher and likes discovering new things. Mr. Aptowitz then asked about a conflict of interest situation and how he would handle it. He responded stating that he would step aside. Mr. DelVecchio asked him to share about his experience on the Master Plan Committee and Mr. Roche explained that it was a great way to connect to the community and hear input of what residents wanted to see happen. Ms. Collins asked Mr. Roche what was one thing he loved about Mansfield and one thing that he was concerned about or would want to change and Mr. Roche answered that he loves the Downtown and likes that the Town is working to make it a community gathering place. He then responded that one improvement would be make it more affordable to live here in Mansfield. Mr. DelVecchio explained the next steps and Mr. Roche left the meeting. • Interview Ms. Diana Bren to serve on the Planning Board (6PM) Mr. Aptowitz stated that Ms. Bren is an alternate member on the Planning Board and there is an opening for a full voting member. Ms. Ashman -Collins then provided a summary of the Planning Board and the responsibilities members have and also noted that Ms. Bren participated in the Master Plan Committee. Mr. Aptowitz then asked Ms. Bren to introduce herself. Ms. Bren stated that she has lived in Mansfield for twelve years with her two children and husband. She stated that she has been involved in several organizations in Mansfield and as part of Master Plan Committee she saw the inner workings of the Town and Planning Board. She stated that there was then an opportunity to apply to be an alternate on the Planning Board and she has enjoyed listening and learning and would like to now become a voting member. Mr. Aptowitz asked her what is her strongest attribute that she brings. Ms. Bren responded that she brings enthusiasm and she has an open mind and looks at everything presented. Mr. Aptowitz then asked about a conflict of interest and if she saw any situations where that could arise. Ms. Bren responded that she didn't think it would never happen, but if it did she would immediately raise her hand and state her concern and look for guidance on how to proceed. Mr. DelVecchio asked about her background and work experience and Ms. Bren responded that she has a background in communication and works as a master data director. She stated that she pays attention to details and is a data geek and loves working to make process improvements. She then explained her experience on the Master Plan Committee stating that it was good to see a third party facilitate the meetings and see how the goals were broken out into sections and the collaboration amongst everyone. She also stated that it was amazing to see where Mansfield could be in ten years and that the goals outlined are achievable. Ms. Ashman -Collins asked her what she loved about Mansfield and one thing she thought that may need improvement. Ms. Bren responded that one thing she loves is the community and what it offers her and her family. She stated that the schools are really good and that there are people who care about the community and have pride in Mansfield. One improvement she thought was that the downtown needs to be a destination where people come to spend half a day and the Town cannot lose sight of that goal. • Discuss Candidates and Formulate Recommendation to Select Board Mr. DelVecchio stated that there are two strong candidates. He added that although it's not set in stone typically the alternate member is appointed to be a full voting member and that the new person would be considered for the alternate position. Mr. DelVecchio stated that he would recommend Ms. Bren for the full member on the Planning Board and to recommend Mr. Roche for the alternate. Mr. Aptowitz agreed with the recommendation. Ms. Ashman -Collins stated that the Planning Board is lucky to have such great candidates. • Other items not known 48 hours in advance of the meeting There were no other items. • Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the meeting at 6:09PM. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 2:0 Signature Prepared by Carrie Champagne ).�l Date