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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA 04/18/2023Council on Aging Minutes of the Board Meeting April 18, 2023 RECEIVED OFFICE Present: Lee Ann Cerretani, Dick Kelsay, Joan Hoey, Mary i91rU,1Aula D�ewine Neal Boldrighini, Patricia Comperchio, Director Josephine Medrazo. Excused: Assis1atrt:DjrfftoDWendy Adams Guests included Marie Grygienc and Rich Pocius. I ' ; -',. C��U5ETT5 Call to Order: Chairperson Neal called the meeting to order at 3:33 p.m. Minutes from Previous Board Meeting: The minutes from the meeting of March 21, 2023 were reviewed. A motion to accept them as written was made by Dick and seconded by Lee Ann. A vote to accept the minutes was unanimous. Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Pat reported no changes. A motion to accept the report was made by Dick, seconded by Paula. The vote to accept the treasurer's report was unanimous. Report inserted into agenda: Due to time constraints, the next order of business was an update to the Board from Marie Grygienc concerning our use of a logo for t-shirts and a banner to be carried in the Memorial Day Parade. Marie reviewed the results of the brainstorming session that expressed a desire for the COA to be represented by symbols that were positive and inclusive. "Together We Thrive" is an example of this, along with the image of a colorful tree bearing words like "belonging, together and friendship." A discussion ensued. Josephine reported that the Town Manager requests that all images representing town boards and committees include the official town seal. The consensus was to use the designs Marie has created along with the town seal in some form, on both the t-shirts and the banner. The Board thanks Marie for her expertise in helping the COA create these images. Director's Report: Josephine requests that the Board review the guidelines prepared by the library concerning the use of the multipurpose room and the display cases in the lobby of the building we share. Jo also reported that there will be changes to our Triad group, as the Bristol County Sheriffs Office will no longer support community outreach programs. She predicts that not much will change. They will not be present at the Senior Safety Day, run mostly by our own police and fire departments. It is hoped that the Bristol County District Attorney's office will take over some of the programs. The COA will miss working with Tina , the community liaison from the Sheriffs office. It is unclear what other community programs their absence will effect. Senior Safety Day will be June 9 and incorporate participation from many stakeholders: the Elks, PACE, GATRA, Stop & Shop Pharmacy, Elliott PT, etc. The Friends of the Drop in Center will now be known as the Friends of the Mansfield COA and Marie Grygienc has recreated their Face Book page. Mary Hourigan will take over the task of follow-up with regard to the town putting up signs to direct people to our building. She will contact Nancy Griffin, Senior Executive Assistant to Town Manager Kevin Dumas. Old Business: After speaking with Theresa Murphy, Mansfield Public School Superintendent, Neal has pursued the Board's goal to develop programs in conjunction with the art departments of the schools, and presented these two ideas to the Board: The first project involves panels on the interior walls of the COA building to be designed and painted by high school art students. These panels will be changed/replaced every year. A similar program already exists at the high school. A second project involves the rear brick wall of the garage in our parking lot. This wall is often defaced by graffiti, as it faces the path students take when walking from the schools. Neal has proposed that this blank wall become a Senior Mural, created by MHS seniors prior to graduation and "seniors" from the COA each year. It is hoped that these projects will become traditions. The Board consensus was to continue to develop these programs with permission from the town. Thank you Neal! Elections: One slate of nominees for Board Officers was presented to the Board for approval: Chairperson: Lee Ann Cerretani Vice Chairperson: Paula Devine Treasurer: Pat Comperchio Secretary: Mary Hourigan A motion to accept this slate of officers was made by Dick and seconded by Lee Ann. Am affirmative vote was unanimous. New Business: Paula suggested that we develop a Dieting Support Group for COA members who desire help and encouragement, while dieting to lose weight. She suggested that it include nutrition instruction, perhaps meeting twice a month. She will research this to see if any other COA's have such a program. Paula also suggested that we have a Talent Show. She feels that it would be fun and create positive feelings among our members. Perhaps it could be developed in conjunction with the H.S. Drama department or MMAS. The Board took no action on Paula's suggestions at this time. There is a new drama group starting at the COA, developed and led by Evie Raeburg. Mary reported that a new Handchime choir will begin in May. First developed many years ago by activities coordinator Suzie Hanson, and then passed on to Mary when she relocated, the Handchime choir has not been active for several years. Mary has recruited more than 10 people who are interested in reviving and learning about Handchimes. Mary asked if anyone on the Board has any interest in serving on a town committee to develop a celebration around the town's 250i° Amiiversary coming up in 2025. She may attend a meeting. Neal reports that he needs volunteers to work on cleaning up our Veteran's Memorials on a Saturday in mid -May. Adjourn: A motion to adjourn was made by Dick and seconded by Paula. The next meeting will be May 16, 2023. Minutes of the COA Board Meeting May 16, 2023 RECEIVED Present: Chair: LeeAnn Cerretani, Vice Chair: Paula Devine, Secretaryrf�h Vr H, rig9n OFFICE Treasurer: Pat Comperchio, Members: Joan Hoey, Dick Kelsay, Directorl&V7tig(jM0lr19q¢ 3 Assistant Director: Wendy Adams. Residents: Nancy Graf, and Marie Grygienc. Excused Neal Boldrighini. 1" �h'11SFII-LD Call to order: Paula Devine called the meeting to order @ 3:32 PM Minutes of the Board Meeting: Minutes from April 2023 meeting were reviewed. Dick made a motion to accept the minutes and Pat seconded. Vote in favor: Affirmative: 5 Negative: 0 Treasurer's Report: Pat presented the treasurer's report. There was a decrease in gift accounts. Jo explained that it was due to payment to the bus company. Dick made a motion to accept the Treasurer's report and Joan seconded. Affirmative:6 Negative:0 Rob MacDonald, the Chairman of the Mansfield 250' Anniversary committee, came in to introduce himself. They will be having events all year long but there will be an all -day event held on August 23'd, 2025. The committee is looking for volunteers. Meetings will be held on Wednesdays at 6:30 on the 2nd floor of Town Hall. Director's Report: • Friends are now DBA Friends of the Mansfield Council on Aging • They have worked really hard to reorganize themselves and are doing a great job. • New FB page and sign with the mission. Meetings have been going really well and things have been moving in a positive direction. • Weight loss/Healthy Eating — Elisha is looking into various challenges and fun activities. • Programs: o Andrew Noone— discuss his book Bathseba Sooner Revolutionary Murder Conspiracy o Theatre Class o Senior Safety Day on June 9th o Joyful Chorus —Travel Abroad Spring Concert June 15th at 10 am o Phyllis De Larcherliere- Inner Hippie o Municipal Training on Dementia June 13th Old Business: Logos and T-shirts o $18.00 for crew neck and $20.00 for V-necks. Dick made a motion to spend $1,000 to order shirts. Paula seconded. Vote was taken: Affirmative: 6 yes Negative:0 Signage o Mary is meeting with the TM office and Highway Dept. tomorrow. New Business: • Memorial Day Parade Group of walkers representing the COA in the parade. They will be carrying the banners that the Friends group designed and ordered. Joan Hoey offered to call the individuals that volunteered to walk. VA Memorial Project Update o The DPW has done such an amazing job on all the memorials that the group does not have to do any cleanup work for Memorial Day, We will be putting out the memorial signs on the south common on Friday the 19th. I will be meeting with Andy from DPW sometime in the next month to find a spot for the COA- sponsored bench at one of the sites and to discuss a proposed new memorial. We will get the group together in the months leading up to Veterans Day to do cleanup work on each site. - weal Family Fun Night — Tuesday, July 11"'. Friends members would like to participate as well as Board members: Lee Ann, Pat and her husband Frank, Joan, Dick, Jo, Wendy, and possibly Mary. Paula, Nancy, and Mary would like to do Food Safety training. Adjourn: Dick made a motion to end the meeting and Paula seconded. The next meeting will be held at the COA at 3:30 pm on June 20, 2023.