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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA 10/13/2015MANSFIELD COUNCIL ON AGING Board of Directors Minutes to Meeting 10/13/2015 9,IFF ICE I j h`. '' I i, A 3: 2 8 Lr;1 Present: Richard Kelsay, Sonia Walgreen, Norma Smith, Mary Hourigan, loan Hoeg, Dgrapa IiarFingUoh;' Tom Keogh, Debra Surprenant and Gale Farrugia. Olivier Kozlowski, member of the Board of Selectmen, and Tenn Higgins, member of the Friends of Memorial Park, entered the meeting at 3:55 PM. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 3:30 PM by Vice Chair Norma Smith. Minutes to the Meeting of September 8, 2015: The Board examined the minutes to the Board Meeting of September 8, 2015. Tom Keogh offered a motion to accept the minutes to the Board Meeting of September 8, 2015, as presented. With a second from Sonia Walgreen, the motion was passed by a unanimous vote. Estimated Budget Status to Date, September Warrants and the Treasurer's Report: Gale presented the Estimated Budget Status to Date and the Warrants from September 2015. She reported to the Board that the Budget is right on target for the time of year. Joan Hoey offered a motion to accept the Estimated Budget Status to Date and the September Warrants, all as presented. With a second from Tom Keogh, the motion was passed by a unanimous vote. Tom Keogh presented the Treasurers Report. He informed the Board that the estimated balance in the Gift Account was $12,067.76. Sonia Walgreen offered a motion to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented. With a second from Richard Kelsay, the motion was passed by a unanimous vote. Correspondence: The Correspondence File was circulated. Gale informed the Board that the Correspondence File contained a letter of invitation from Representative Poirier to a forum with the Secretary of Elder Affairs on Thursday, October 22nd at 12:00 PM at our COA. There was a short discussion about the purpose of the forum, and Gale invited the members of the Board to attend. She said that it is an opening dialogue with the Secretary about the ongoing issues with Protective Services. Director's Report: State House Tour —Gale informed the Board that both Mansfield COA and North Attleboro COA walking clubs received an invitation from Representative Betty Poirier to attend a State House Tour, including lunch with the local legislators. She said that the program went very well, and that there were about 30 people in total who attended from the walking groups. She passed around the official State House photo of the event. Mansfield Community Policing Coffee Hour —Gale reported that the Police Department has reached out to the COA through Triad to initiate an ongoing coffee hour program around Community Policing. She said that the Police Department would like to be more involved with seniors at an informative and educational level and discuss issues concerning quality of life. She said that the Police Department is hoping that this will result in more community programming. Cardio Vascular Program —Gale informed the Board that the program with Brigham and Women's around cardio vascular issues has been cancelled due to the unavailability of physicians. Senior Spectacular —Gale also informed the Board that Representative Betty Poirier will be hosting another Senior Spectacular to be held on April 22, 2016. Meeting with Dr. Martin and Dr. Kissel[ —Gale reported that she has been approached by Dentists Dr. Martin and Dr. Kissell about doing an oral hygiene and oral cancer screening program. She said that she will be meeting with them to determine what the program will entail and when it should be held to give us enough lead time to do the marketing. She also said that we have been very busy with our programs in full swing, and that we have another upcoming healthy cooking demonstration program sponsored by Residence Inn. Assistant Director's Report: Statistics —Debi informed the Board that there were 799 program registrations, 326 incoming telephone calls logged and 54.5 volunteer hours logged for September, 2015. Medical Escort—Debi informed the Board that the COA arranged 6 round trip long- distance medical escort rides for the month of September 2015. Tax Work- Off —Debi also reported that there were 17 Tax Work -Off participants who have finished their hours, and that there were 2 near complete. She also reported that the credits earned to date were $18,025.75. Plaque —Debi informed the Board that she would be ordering the plaque that week. There was a short discussion about the plaque and its purpose. Old Business: Protective Services Issues —The topic was discussed under Correspondence due to the letter from Representative Poirier being discussed under the Correspondence File item. Stonehill College Students —Gale informed the Board that the Stonehill College student project would be held on October 19th and November 2 "d and 16th. She said that there are four Board members and 4 seniors who have agreed to take part in this project. She said that she is estimating that the time per session will be between 1 to 1 % hours. New Business: The New Business section was taken out of order due to the nature of the discussion with guests, who had not arrived. BESI Board Meeting Updates: None. Questions and Answers: Leaf Raking- -Gale asked Donna Harrington to explain what had happened with the Leaf Raking Project. Donna informed the Board that the School Department no longer wanted to sponsor the program due to liability issues. She said that the Police Department stepped in and will be the program sponsor, and she said it will be going on as planned in the same manner it was run before, and she said that the date will be November 11th, no rain date. Flu Clinics —Tom Keogh, pharmacist, offered to hold flu clinics at the COA. He explained that Stop & Shop Pharmacy was awarded the contract through the Health Department to provide Flu Clinics after going through the bid process. There was a discussion about the flu vaccines and pneumonia vaccines. He also said that the cost of the vaccine will be paid for through each person's health insurance. Gale and Tom will confer about the best dates for the clinics at the COA. Tom said that he would be doing only flu shots on those days. New Business: Senior Playground Equipment — Olivier Kozlowski, Selectman, and Jenn Higgins, member, Friends of Memorial Park, entered the meeting at 3:55 PM. It was at this time that Olivier Kozlowski gave some background regarding the 2 mile trail project being done in conjunction with the renovations to Memorial Park playground. He indicated that, because he is a Selectman, he was obligated to offer full disclosure regarding his involvement with the trail project, which he envisioned would include an older adult component. He said that he has been working with the Conservation Agent, who is also an Open Space Planner, regarding the availability of the land to lay out the 2 mile trail. He said that the plan is to create an open space committee to better coordinate the project, and he said that he hopes the committee would be put together in the next few months. He explained that the trail would include fitness stations, and he handed out a map which illustrated the proposed route of the two mile loop. He indicated that the project would involve a lot of expense, and the he would be looking for donations of labor and materials for this project. Olivier also said that he has found some older adult specific activities, and that the proposed trail comes right near the COA building, includes the school property, and begins and ends at the roadway to Memorial Park. Olivier asked Gale what types of senior specific activities would be appropriate for this trail, and Gale indicated that she had been researching playground equipment, but it would also be beneficial to survey older adults in Mansfield to find out what types of activities and ideas are suggested. Gale said that she will also ask the people in the COA fitness classes for their input. Olivier said that ultimately, he would like to see a fitness trail system connecting all open spaces in Mansfield. Gale asked Olivier Kozlowski which department would be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the fitness trail, and he responded that will be determined in the future. He also said that the DPW has a significant of donated materials which could be used toward the project. Mary Hourigan suggested partnering with the Hockomock YMCA, and that would also be a source for finding equipment for the trail. Olivier also discussed the benefits of tying the Fales Fuel property into this project by creating a park or a pavilion area to link the trail up to the bike path, which, he said, was going to be expanded through Norton by the town. There was a discussion about the trails that are already in existence around the bike path. Memorial Park Playground —Jenn Higgins, member of the Friends of Memorial Park, was introduced to speak to the Board about the Memorial Park project. She said that the Friends of Memorial Park began a little over 2 years ago when 4 mothers got together to explore the possibility of renovating the playground at Memorial Park. She said that they formed the Friends' group, and the Friends of Memorial Park is now a 501 (c) (3). The Friends has received permission from the Selectmen to renovate the playground, and well over $100,000 has been raised so far to help with the project. Jenn said that it will cost upwards of $200,000 to develop and build the project, and she said that there is already a design. She handed out some literature regarding the project, including a schematic of the design of the playground. Jenn talked about accessibility features of the playground, bringing it in compliance with the ADA. She spoke about fencing in the play area, and designing the space so that it will be shaded. She said that the concept will build upon an active play area for scooters and runners, and an area which will encourage imaginative play. She informed the Board that the plans also build in longevity and safety, and that the Friends group is working with the Recreation Department to determine what the summer camp needs would be for the play area. She further explained that the materials to be used are constructed of recycled and environmentally safe materials, and project will be going out to bid in November or December. She reported that anticipated ground breaking is sometime in the spring. The discussion turned to equipment to be used by older adults, and where the adult play area should be located. Gale said that she has found an amazing amount of playground equipment for seniors, and she said that an area adjacent to the children's playground, but not within the children's playground, would probably be better for the adult exercise area. Jenn spoke about the materials used for accessibility —a poured rubber for ease of use by those with walkers and wheelchairs. Gale asked what the next step would be. Olivier indicated that the Conservation Agent /Open Space Planner would like a representative from the COA on the committee. Donna Harrington expressed interest in serving on the committee. Olivier said that the project would benefit those seniors who already use the bike path to walk, and that the area would become more user - friendly as it is adapted and cleaned up. Gale said that the survey in the newsletter should give information that would be beneficial, and she would like to be kept informed as both projects progress. She also said that Joyce Collins, a Mansfield resident and COA exercise technician, might like to be involved with the projects. Jenn finished her presentation with a discussion about the creation of a "memorial" area, a quiet space where people would be able to reflect about the loss of a loved one, children, in specific. Gale thanked both Olivier Kozlowski and Jenn Higgins for their very informative presentations. Jenn closed by saying that she would keep Gale informed regarding the progress of the project. Olivier Kozlowski and Jenn Higgins left the meeting at 4:48 PM. Adjournment: With all business being completed, Mary Hourigan offered a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:49 PM. With seconds from both Joan Hoey and Sonia Walgreen, the motion was passed by a unanimous vote. VOTE SUMMARY 2016 -5 A vote to accept the minutes to the Board Meeting of September 8, 2015, as presented. Motion —Tom Keogh; Second —Sonia Walgreen; Vote -7 affirmative, 0 negative. Voting affirmative were Richard Kelsay, Sonia Walgreen, Norma Smith, Mary Hourigan, Joan Hoey, Donna Harrington and Tom Keogh. 2016 -6 A vote to accept the Estimated Budget Status to Date and the September, 2015, Warrants, all as presented. Motion —Joan Hoey; Second —Tom Keogh; Vote -7 affirmative, 0 negative. Voting affirmative were Richard Kelsay, Sonia Walgreen, Norma Smith, Mary Hourigan, Joan Hoey, Donna Harrington and Tom Keogh. 2016 -7 A vote to accept the Treasurer's Report, as presented. Motion —Sonia Walgreen; Second — Richard Kelsay; Vote -7 affirmative, 0 negative. Voting affirmative were Richard Kelsay, Sonia Walgreen, Norma Smith, Mary Hourigan, Joan Hoey, Donna Harrington and Tom Keogh. 2016 -8 With all business being completed, a vote to adjourn the meeting at 4:49 PM. Motion —Mary Hourigan; Seconds —Joan Hoey and Sonia Walgreen; Vote -7 affirmative, 0 negative. Voting affirmative were Richard Kelsay, Sonia Walgreen, Norma Smith, Mary Hourigan, Joan Hoey, Donna Harrington and Tom Keogh.