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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA 11/14/2006f. RECEIVED r.,< <�r ria;. Mansfield Council On Aging 07 JAN _ 3 PM 2: 00 Minutes to Board Meeting November 14, 2006 I+tal+�i=iLLD VASS,AC1IUSETTS Present: Sonia Walgreen, Ben Boynton, Ed Sliney, Sr., Mary Butler, Donna arrmgton, Norma Smith, Frank Nilson was excused. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 3:30 PM by Sonia Walgreen. Correspondence File: The Correspondence File was circulated. Gale pointed out that the file contained a letter from Jeff Ptashnik, and the request will be discussed under New Business. Minutes, Warrants, Budget, Treasurer's Report: The Board examined the Minutes to the Board Meeting of October 10, 2006, the Warrants and the Budget status. Mary reported that the Gift Account balance was $1,348.82. A motion was made by Ben to accept the Minutes, Warrants, Budget and Treasurer's Report as presented. With a second from Norma, the motion passed by unanimous vote. Director's Report: Grant—Gale reported that she is involved with the submission of two Incentive Grants. She said that the first grant is a consortium grant with Taunton and North Attleboro for $10,000 to offer training to staff who work with people who have mental health issues. She also said that Taunton is the lead ' agency. Gale said that the other grant is for $2,000 and, if received, would be used to purchase 2 laptop computers for the use by seniors for computer training. Gale said that she will use the IMIS department for the purchase and set up of the computer training area. GATRA—Gale informed the Board that the transport ' contract is going out to bid, and there is a possibility that GATRA would contract with another transport company. She said that GATRA is exploring giving the contract to "Trans Systems" of Medfield/Watertown. Gift Account— Gale told the Board that the Director of United Way, Vice Eagles, passed away after a long illness. She requested that the Board approve a donation to Dana Farber Hospital in his memory. Ed offered a motion that a donation in the amount of $75.00 be sent to Dana Farber in memory of Vince Eagles, and that the money be taken from the Gift Account. With a second from Ben, the motion passed by a unanimous vote. Gail Mann—Gale reported that the new substitute meals delivery driver is also interested in the paid medical escort position. Gale told the Board that Gail Mann delivered meals for two weeks while Marilyn Bardsley was out on sick leave. Gale explained the hiring procedure, and said that the COA has an increased amount of requests for medical transport. Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule—Gale informed the Board that the COA would be closing for Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, and the day after, Friday, November 24`h. Christmas Holiday Schedule—Gale also informed the Board that the COA would be closing at 12:00 PM on Friday, December 22nd, and will be closed on Monday, Christmas Day. Regional Planning Group—Gale announced that she has been invited to join a Regional Planning Group for Emergency Preparedness and Pandemic Flu. Gale said that this group involves several area communities and departments including the police, fire, town nurses, Red Cross and others. Gale discussed the purpose of the Regional Planning Group, and told the Board that because of the resources already in place with the Police and Fire, Mansfield is ahead of other towns with organizing. Gale said that she has been asked to serve on the Planning Committee. Assistant Director's Report: Statistics—Debi reported that during the month of October there were 588 incoming telephone calls logged, and 976 people signed in for programs. She also stated that the Outreach Department served 59 clients. M Senior Center—Debi informed the Board that she and other staff are working with the project coordinator to develop the program and client database in My Senior Center. Debi said that the coordinator has been ill, and she has been trying to get as much work in as she can before her illness progresses. Paperwork—Debi said that having a little bit of downtime has been great, and that she has been able to catch up on some paperwork. Substitute Meals Driver -Debi reiterated that the Substitute Meals Delivery Driver did a great job filling in while Marilyn was out on sick leave. Debi said that she was enthusiastic and very easy to train. Newsletter/Invitations—Debi told the Board that the new changes with the newsletter have worked well. She said that there have been no comments about the smaller font, and that the 4 page newsletter with an insert is adequate. Debi also said that, because of the many programs, she has been designing and sending out invitations. Old Business:. My Senior Center—Gale presented an update on My Senior Center. She presented the Board with some preliminary statistics. There was a brief discussion about the demographics. Staff & Board Get Together—Gale reminded the Board that the Staff and Board Get -Together is scheduled for Tuesday, December 12u' at 4:30 PM. Gale presented a food sign-up list. New Business: Computer Training -Gale informed the Board about the computer tutoring program at the COA through the Tax Work -Off Program. She said that Jeff Ptashnik has used up all of his hours, and has done a remarkable job with his students, and there has been a lot of very positive feedback. She said that he has asked if it would be possible to be paid through the COA for his time. Gale informed the Board that she asked him to write a letter of request, and she told him that she would bring his request to the Board. There was a discussion about the computer training program, and where money would be taken to pay him for his tutoring. Gale told the Board that the classes through'SmartLink have ended due to low attendance. She reminded the Board that the money to fund SmartLink was from the Trust Fund. Gale suggested that the COA pay Jeff for his personalized computer classes from the Trust Fund, and suggested between $35 to $45 per class. There was a discussion, after which a motion was made by Ben, and seconded by Donna, that the students be charged $3.00 per class for the fust 6 months increasing to $5.00 per class at the end of the 6 months, with a payment to Jeff of $40.00 per class, with money from the Trust Fund. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. New Senior Center—Gale informed the Board that John D'Agostino has been in public discussions about building a new senior center. There was a discussion about the location, and who the other prospective tenants will be. The Board suggested that Gale ask John to attend the January Board Meeting for a more concrete view of the plans for this new "community/senior" center. Gale suggested that, if this all starts to materialize, the Board hire a consultant. Gale said that John wishes to convene a committee. Special Donations—Gale announced that the Lions Club has given the COA a donation of $1000.00 to fund a new program. Gale informed the Board that there will be a new exercise program for people with arthritis starting with an introductory session on November 27`''. ;She said that the ongoing program will begin after the first of the year. She also told the Board that she has been approached by Coldwell Banker, but nothing has come through yet. 'She said that she was approached by staff members of Assist -To -Sell regarding a program for the seniors. There was a long discussion about the program—a Christmas party given by Assist -To -Sell for seniors at the COA. The members of the Board felt that Assist -To -Sell should not use this program to promote their services. Gale informed the Board members that limitations were already in place, and that she would ensure that Assist -To -Sell would not profit from this program. Sonia said that she wanted to make sure that Assist -To -Sell gives full credit to donors. Housing Task Force: Donna had nothing new to report. BESI Report: Mary reported that the October BESI meeting was with the auditor. She said that the auditor found no problems with the financial business. Mary also said that BESI seem to be losing Board members from COAs. Sonia said that she might be interested in serving at some point when Mary has reach her term limits. Questions and Answers: Mary asked if there was a motion to accept the Budgets, Warrants, Minutes and Treasurer's Report. Sonia answered that there was a motion and a vote. Mary also asked a question about the newsletter distribution at Bicentennial Court, and Gale told her that they were being given to people to distribute at Bicentennial Court. Mary also asked about the Leaf Raking Project status. Donna told her that there would be leaf raking at the 8 homes on last year's list. She said that the project is entirely a school project. She also reported that Lee at the DPW said that the leaves would be picked up on the following Monday. Adjournment: With all business being completed, Donna presented a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ben offered a second to the motion, and the meeting was adjourned at 4:45 PM by a unanimous vote.