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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA 10/09/2007Mansfield Council On Aging (, -i OEC 12 c{ i 13: It S Board of Directors Minutes to Meeting October 9, 2007 Present: Sonia Walgreen, Donna Harrington, Frank Nilson, Ben Boynton, Ed Sliney, Sr., Norma Smith, Gale Farrugia and Debra Surprenant. Mary Butler is excused. Call To Order: The meeting was called to order at 3:30 PM by President Sonia Walgreen. Warrants, Minutes, Treasurer's Report, and Budget: The Warrants from September, the Minutes from the September 11, 2007 Board Meeting, and the Budget to date were examined. Gale issued the Treasurer's Report. She informed the Board that the Gift Account balance was $2,313.32. Frank offered a motion to accept the Warrants, Budget, Minutes to the Board Meeting of September 11, 2007, and the Treasurer's Report as presented. With a second from Norma, the motion passed by a unanimous vote. Correspondence File: The correspondence File was circulated. Donna raised a concern that she has not been notified that her term is expiring. Gale informed her that her term would be expiring in January 2008, and said that she would need a letter of reappointment. Director's Report: MIS Department—Gale informed the Board that the MIS Department has been installing fiber optics for connecting all departments in the town to the town server. Gale said that the MIS Department has requested that the Library and the COA split the costs of installing the fiber optics. Gale said that the MIS Department has asked for $4,000. After some discussion, a motion was presented by Ed that the MIS Department be informed that the COA does not have $4,000 budgeted to pay for this project, and that the cost be the responsibility of the town. Norma offered a second to the motion, and the motion passed by a unanimous vote. Update—MCOA Conference—Gale told the Board about the highlights of the MCOA conference. She said that Bev and Debi were able to attend for one day. Halloween Party—Gale reported that Mansfield Women of Today are holding a Halloween Party for the seniors on October 19`h She told them that the party will include a costume parade of children, stories, music and trick -or -treating. Christmas Party—Gale reported that a business in town has once again expressed interest in sponsoring a Christmas Party for the seniors. She said that the party will be held on the 18th of December, and she explained how the party was organized last year. Leaf Raking Project—Donna informed the Board about this year's leaf raking project through the schools. She said that there are more school staff people involved, and the Middle School students are also included. She also reported that there have been donations of tot�ls and bags. Assistant Director's Report: Statistics—Debi reported that there were 746 people who signed in for programs in the month of September, and there were 432 incoming telephone calls, and 119.58 volunteer hours logged. MCOA Conference—Debi reported that she attended computer oriented workshops. Newsletter/Website Updating—Debi informed the Board that she has been working on putting our schedule of activities on a calendar called Event Keeper. She said that there will be a link put on our webpage for the Event Keeper, and that all of our information will now be accessible to the public, with both the calendar and the newsletter online. Health Luncheons—Debi told the Board that Southeast Rehab and Skilled Nursing Center is sponsoring a health information luncheon series, and the attendance has been very good. Old Business: New COA Facility—Gale reported that John D'Agostino is continuing to pursue the idea of building a new senior center. Gale said that she had attended a workshop on building a new senior center at the NCOA conference given by Catlin Architecture, a firm in Boston specializing in designs of senior centers. Gale said that, given the circumstances, it might be prudent to investigate center designs that are in accord with the needs of Mansfield and the COA. Ed agreed that it is good Board policy to be prepared, and Gale suggested that the COA hire Catlin to do a presentation about planning for the needs of the senior community in Mansfield with the design of a new facility. Gale said that the consulting fee is $750, and Catlin facilitates a very helpful workshop. Gale said that it is not a bad idea to be prepared for what may be to come. Gale also informed the Board that Catlin has been developing some innovative green buildings. She said that a current Catlin project is a 20,000 square foot center utilizing renewable energy. Gale said that the timeline for building a facility can be from one to 5 years down the road, but she feels that it is a better policy to be ready. Donna felt that the issue of building a new facility is remote, since John is dealing with a multitude of projects right now. Gale said that she feels that when a committee is formed that Board members should be appointed, and that a letter stating this should be written by the Board and sent to John. Sonia suggested that the Board wait until after the elections, and that she would be interested in attending a workshop about the senior center needs of the future. Gale informed the Board that she would continue to keep them informed about this issue. New Business: There was no New Business to be discussed. Housing Task Force: Donna reported that there was no new business. BESI Report: Sonia issued the BESI report. She said that she and Mary attended the BESI Annual Meeting, and very much enjoyed the event. Sonia reported that the key note address was given by a female holistic doctor, and that the message from her was the importance of achieving better health through stress reduction by exercise and music. Questions and Answers: None. Adjournment: With all business being completed, Ed presented a motion to adjourn the meeting. With a second from Donna, the meeting was adjourned by a unanimous vote. VOTE SUMMARY: 2008-3 A vote to accept the Treasurer's Report, Minutes to the Board Meeting of September 11`h, 2007, the Warrants from September, and the Budget status to date. Motion—Frank Nilson, Second—Norma Smith, Vote—unanimous. 2008-4 A vote to adjourn the meeting, with all business being completed. Motion—Ed Sliney, Sr, Second—Donna Harrington, Vote— unanimous.