HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA 01/23/2024Minutes of the COA Board Meeting of January 23, 2024 `,i_r)
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Present: Vice Chair Paula Devine, Treasurer Pat Comperchio, Secretary Mary
Hourigan, Members: Joan Hoey, Dick I<elsay, Neal BoldrighAls H&ArFos''Ale
Madrazo, Assistant Director Wendy Adams. Resident: Nancy Graf and; 0.aJI Gilman
Absent: LeeAnn Cerretani, Chair
Call to Order: By Paula Devine at 3:35
Dick made a motion to accept the minutes from November and Mary 2"d
Treasurer's Report: Pat met with the acting Account Manager Denise Farrington
and she provided Pat with more detailed reports. Pat has decided to revise the
method she uses for the COA Gift account. She will start with the beginning
balance of the fiscal year and the ending balance will be the current amount in
the account.
Dick made a motion to accept the treasurer's report and Joan 2"d
Director's report:
• Reduction in COA state funding in the governor's 2024 budget
o The cuts to Councils on Aging that the Governor announced are for
legislative earmarks. They do not affect Mansfield's formula grant.
■ Summary of accomplishments throughout 2023
Paula asked about putting "A Year in Review" in the newsletter. Dick said
maybe split between several months' newsletter. Neal mentioned "Spring
has Sprung" and look what we did last year. Pat suggested posting at the
center.
• 2024 Goals
o Working towards becoming an Age -Friendly Community- I've reached
out to Patty Sullivan who will connect us with the Coordinator for
Age -Friendly.
o Working to increase participation in the Memory Cafe
■ Visit to Active Day
■ Alz Educational Series
■ Share information with Bristol County COA Directors
o Continue to Work on Streamlining our data collection —Wendy
o Expanding program offerings, I was able to negotiate the Activity
Coordinator position to full-time.
■ Scheduled for Feb
• Virtual Tour of Boston's Freedom Trail and Black
Heritage Trail narrated by Christ loazard on Feb 6t1 'Pm
• Drumming Circle on Feb 121h, 10:30 am
• Harlem Renaissance presentation by D.A. Gregorio Feb
13, 2pm
• Effective Communication -Alz Association Feb 27th 1 pm
• Elvis Impersonator Feb 28
• CPR Training with MFD
• Singing Trooper in May
o Creating a Code of Conduct for the COA
o Wendy reported on the Memory Cafe and our 15t Anniversary
celebration. We hosted a luncheon and had a great entertainer. The
participants were actively singing along with the music.
o We are also hosting a 3-part series "Navigating Dementia" and would
like everyone to spread the news,
o Wendy also reported an increase in participation. In 2022- we had
9,353 people attending programs and in 2023-17,413. This increase
is two -fold: first we have more programs and more people attending
programs and secondly, we are encouraging people to sign in to
MYseniorcenter for every program they attend, Capturing the
number of participants is important for our funding and Annual
Report.
Old Business
MBC update
Working with consultants from the hazardous waste company and
the drainage design engineer, town engineer, and project manager
and started excavation.
• VA Memorial Project Update -
Neal reported he will need money for a plaque, Story board and
plants/bushes. Nancy suggested that Neal talk with Garden Club because
they buy in bulk and would probably give him a discount.
• Piano Dolly Update
Mary reported that the dolly is wonderful. Moves so easily.
New Business
• Update on new Secretary
Waiting on the Union to approve the job description.
• Elks Community Program
Paula reported the Elks is having a Drug Awareness with Narcan training at
the Public Safety Building.
• Mary would like to see more music programs. Gail suggested reaching out
to Jim Smith a music teacher to see if his students would perform here. He
has a recital at the Congo Church.
• Neal's goal for this year is to develop a program/series with Park and Recs
at night. He suggested a Dart League. Paula suggested Line Dancing or
Zumba class.
• Nancy made a suggestion about the Formula Grant. When the census
comes around again to advertise to all seniors to return their census
because the Formula Grant is based on number of seniors in town.
Dick made a motion to adjourn and Joan 2nd.
Next Meeting Tuesday February 20, 2024.