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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA 03/13/2007Mansfield Council On Aging Board of Directors Minutes to Meeting 3/13/07 07IjA� 15 Pirl 2t 19 iLLQ MpSShC4JUSETTS Present: Sonia Walgreen, Mary Butler, Ben Boynton, Donna Harrington, Gale Farrugia and Debra Surprenant. Ed Sliney, Sr., Norma Smith and Frank Nilson were excused. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 3:30 PM by Sonia Walgreen, Board Chair. Correspondence File: The Correspondence File was circulated. Gale pointed out that there was a copy of an incident report concerning a fall on the front walkway. There was a discussion about the walkway accident. Budget, Warrants, Treasurer's Report, and Minutes: The minutes to the Board Meeting of 2/13/2007, were examined along with the Budget and Warrants. There was a discussion about the Budget, and Gale said that the rest of the fiscal year will be very tight. She said that some line items are overspent by a considerable amount. She said that many departments are having the same issues. Mary issued the Treasurer's Report. She said that the balance in the Gift Account was $1,500.47. Ben offered a motion to accept the Budget, Warrants, Treasurer's Report and the Minutes as presented. With a second from Donna, the motion passed by a unanimous vote. Director's Report: Finance Committee—Gale reported that the Finance Committee has scheduled meetings to discuss departmental budgets. Gale said that the Finance Committee has asked for a review of the FY 2008 COA budget request on Saturday, April 28th at 11:30 AM. Gift Account—Gale reported that there have been some donations given to the COA in memory of a client. The amount is now over $150.00. Pro rg ams --Gale told the Board about some upcoming programs. She said that there would be a Town Manager's Coffee Hour on March 15th. She said that John would be bringing some affiliates and members of the Tri -Town Chamber of Commerce, and they would be talking about "Tax Incentives and Finances." There was a brief discussion. Gale reported that the COA is planning a St. Patrick's Day Celebration on Friday, March 16th, the Annual COA/Mansfield High School Art Show is scheduled for Thursday, March 22nd at 9:00 AM, the Friends will have a Ham & Bean Supper on Thursday, March 291h at 5:30 PM, and the Cholesterol Screening was held on Tuesday, 3/13/07. Tax Counselor --Gale informed the Board that the COA has two tax counselors who are helping seniors with completing tax forms. Gale explained that the tax counselors are at the COA on Wednesdays and Fridays, and she told the Board that she has been able to locate acceptable and semi private workspaces for them. Gale said that she purchased a flexible and portable wall, which she demonstrated. Mental Health Workshops—Gale informed the Board that there were several upcoming workshops concerning mental health issues. She said that the workshop notices are in the correspondence file, and they are in April, May and June. Emergency Management—Gale announced that, in conjunction with the needs of the Fire and Police Departments, the COA would be designing and using a new intake form. She explained that the new intake form would be used to identify people with special needs, to be able to include them with ease for Emergency Management. She also said that the new intake form would be modified for use within the Social Services. Assistant Director's Report: Statistics—Debi reported the statistics for the Month of February. She said that, with 19 working days, there were 512 telephone call logged, there were 742 people who signed in for programs, and there were 112 volunteer hours logged. St. Patrick's Day—Debi reported that the St. Patrick's Day celebration was a program that combined the BESI Nutrition Program with a COA sponsored entertainment. She said that the program has worked well in past years, and that the program is full at about 90 people. Poker—Debi informed the Board that there has been a good response to the Poker program. She said that people have inquired about when it would be starting. Reiki—Debi informed the Board that the COA is exploring the possibility of having a new Reiki wellness Program. Debi explained that a Mansfield resident, who is a senior and is a certified reiki master and trainer, has approached the COA with a proposal to have a weekly reiki clinic. She said that Gale would be speaking with her to set up the program. Intake Form—Debi explained the new Intake Form to the Board, and indicated that a draft would be ready for the next Board meeting. She said that the new intake form would be printed on a heavier bond colored paper for easy identification in a client folder. Old Business: Transportation Issues—Gale informed the Board that medical transportation has become an increasingly complex and difficult service to provide, especially for medical services outside of the immediate Mansfield area, like chemotherapy and dialysis. Gale also said that the GATRA services through Bill's Taxi are now being restricted to basically Mansfield because of a contractual issue. Mary asked Gale about the COA's obligation to offer transportation. There was a lengthy discussion about our services, family involvement, and the available public and private transportation. April Meeting—Gale reminded the Board that the April meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 17's, at 3:30 PM. New Business: None. Housing Task Force: Donna said that there was nothing new to report. BESI Report: Mary informed the Board that the amount made from the annual Makem Brothers concert was about $5,000. Mary told the Board that BESI was now doing meals assessments in Raynham, as well as Norton. Mary also announced that BESI was installing a new computer information system called SIMS, and the staff is being trained. Mary asked Gale if she knew of any Mansfield clients on the waiting list for services. Gale told her that she would ask the caseworkers. Adjournment: With all business being complete, a motion was offered by Donna to adjourn the meeting. With a second from Ben, the meeting was adjourned at 4:30 PM by a unanimous vote.