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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA Minutes 10/14/2008Mansfield Council On Aging Board of Directors Minutes to Meeting October a; 2008 r Present: Sonia Walgreen, Ben Boynton, Donna Harrington, Ed Sliney, Sr., Norma Smith, Frank Nilson, Debra Surprenant and Gale Farrugia. Mary Butler was excused. Call To Order: The meeting was called to order at 3:30 PM by Board Chair Sonia Walgreen. Correspondence: The Correspondence file was circulated. Minutes, Warrants, Minutes to Board Meeting of September 9, 2008, and Treasurer's Report: The minutes to the Board Meeting of September 9, 2008 were read and the September Warrants and the Budget status to date were examined. Ed issued the Treasurer's Report. He informed the Board that the balance in the gift account was $1,829.50. Donna issued a motion to accept the September Warrants, the Minutes to the Board Meeting of September 9, 2008, the Budget status to date, and the Treasurer's Report as presented. With a second from Norma, the motion passed by a unanimous vote. Director's Report: Hula Dance Class —Gale informed the Board that the COA would be offering a new fitness class, Hula Dance. She said that the class would be offered on a trial basis, and if there is enough interest, she said that she would offer the class again after January. Women of Today —Gale reported that the Mansfield Women of Today gave a donation of $2000 to the Friends Fuel Assistance Fund. She said that the donation is from proceeds raised from the House Tour. YMCA Art Programs —Gale told the Board that she was contacted by Matt Antosca, the Director of the Y's Art and Education Center, about joint programs with the YMCA. She said that she spoke with him about art classes. Wii Bowling —Gale reported that the Wii Bowling league is going very well. She said that Darcia is looking into traveling to other COA's with the participants to have competitions. She also reported that some of the seniors are reporting aches and pains, and Darcia is having a stretching and moving session before and after the bowling activity. Political Candidates Policy —Gale told the Board that she will be discussing a policy for political candidates' visits with other COA directors. She said that there have been a number of candidates wanting to visit with the seniors, and she is hoping for some policy guidelines about this practice. Donation Sheet —Gale presented a copy of a donation appeal for the Fuel Assistance Fund which is being inserted into the November newsletter. Friends' Fair —Gale informed the Board that the Friends' Fair is on Saturday, November 15th from 9:00 to 2:00. Mansfield Municipal Electric Senior Luncheon —Gale reported that the annual Senior Safety Luncheon, sponsored by the Electric Department, is scheduled for Friday, October 31" at 11:30. She said that costumes are optional. Assistant Director's Report: Statistics —Debi reported that, with 21 working days in September, there were 429 incoming telephone calls logged, 765 unduplicated sign -ins representing 1,461 duplicated program sign -ins. She also said that the Escort Program transported 31 medical appointments, and 2 non - medical appointments. Coin Collecting Club —Debi informed the Board that the COA will be offering a program about coin collecting and appraising this Fall. She told the Board that, if there is enough interest, the presenter, who is a regular COA visitor, has agreed to coordinate a coin collecting club. Financial Management Workshop —Debi said that she and Gale have been discussing the need to offer seniors a financial management workshop, especially during this tough economy. Old Business: Fairfield Group --Gale reported that she talked to Bea Kearney about setting up a separate account for the Fairfield Group annual donation of $5,000 for 15 years. Gale said that the account is named "Fairfield Group Account," and that the Board will determine the use of the money. She also said that there is no town or donor stipulation about the use of the money. There was a short discussion. The Board members agreed to wait to determine where the money would best be used. Leaf Raking —Gale and Donna issued an update on the Leaf raking program. Donna said that Stop & Shop has agreed to give $50 towards the purchase of the yard waste bags, and that she is waiting to hear from Shaws, Home Depot and Benny's. There was a long discussion about the numbers of participating households, bags and the numbers of students participating. Donna specified that she wanted households prioritized by homebound, frailty and new to the program. Donna said that she will know about the numbers of students and households by November l't. Donna asked if the Board would allow for the COA to buy bags from the Trust Fund, if needed. Norma offered a motion to allow the COA to purchase lawn waste bags from the Trust Fund, if needed. With a second from Ben, the motion was passed by a vote of 5 -0 -1. Donna abstained. Donna said that the tentative dates from raking were set at November 11th, 15th and 17th New Business: Holiday —Gale informed the Board that the annual Staff and Board Holiday Get - Together would be on Tuesday, December 9 "' at 4:30 PM (date corrected from December 11'h). Gale will have the sign -up list for pot luck items. MCOA Conference —Gale reported that the MCOA Conference will be held October 14'h through the 17th at the Seacrest. She said that she would be attending, and that staff would be coming down for workshops during the day. Fuel Assistance Task Force: Gale reported that she was at a meeting organized by Betty Poirier about the need for Fuel Assistance Funds. She said that Betty wanted to organize a cormnunity response to the heating expense issue, and called together officials of the town. She said that Jay Barrows, Arthur O'Neill, John D'Agostino, and Neal Boldrighini were also in attendance. BESI Report: Sonia reported that she attended the first meeting as the representative from Mansfield COA on the BESI Board. She said that there was a representative fiom a center for independent living to discuss the services offered to disabled adults. She said that it was very interesting. Sonia also reported that there is a planned ribbon cutting and open house at the new BESI offices scheduled for October 8"'. There was a discussion about the new office space and expansion of BESI services. Questions and Answers: None. Adjournment: With all business being completed, Donna offered a motion to adjourn the meeting. With a second from Ben, the meeting was adjourned at 4:30 by a unanimous vote. VOTE SUMMARY 2009 -06 A vote to accept the September Warrants, the Budget Status To Date, the Minutes to the Board Meeting of September 9, 2008 and the Treasurer's Report as presented. Motion — Donna; Second— Norma; Vote — Unanimous. 2009 -07 A vote to allow the purchase of yard waste bags, if needed, for the leaf raking program with money from the Trust Fund. Motion — Norma; Second —Ben; Vote- 5 -0 -1, with Donna abstaining. 2009 -08 A vote to adjourn the meeting, with all business being complete. Motion — Donna; Second —Ben; Vote — Unanimous.