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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA 09/12/2006RECEIVED Mansfield Council On Aging Board of Directors Minutes to Meeting 00 NOV 15 AN 11: 12 September 12. 2006 hi6arv1�FlLLD Present: Sonia Walgreen, Mary Butler, Ben Boynton, Norma Smith, l,btdi1WaQUnTTS Frank Nilson, Debi Surprenant, and Gale Farrugia. Ed Sliney, Sr., was excused. Call To Order: The meeting was called to order by President Sonia Walgreen at 3:40 PM, Correspondence: The Correspondence File was circulated. Minutes: The Board examined the Minutes to the meeting of May 9`h, 2006. Norma said that the minutes should be corrected to reflect her attendance at that meeting. Frank offered a motion that the Minutes to the Board Meeting of May 90', 2006, be accepted with that correction. Ben gave a second, and the motion was accepted by unanimous vote. ' Warrants, Budget and the Treasurer's Report: The Board examined the Warrants for May, June, July and August, and the Budgets for the months of May, June, July and August. Mary issued the Treasurer's Report. Mary said that the balance in the Gift Account stood at an estimated $1,900.00 due to the withdrawal of funds to purchase "My Senior Center." Ben made a motion to accept the Warrants, Budgets and Treasurer's Report as presented. With a second from Donna, the motion carried by a unanimous vote. Director's Report: Friend's Organization—Gale reported that the Friends of the Drop in Center donated a new freezer and a new sound system to the COA. The donations totaled about $1,600.00 New Cabinet --Gale informed the Board that, because the new sound systems is much larger than the old system, a new storage cabinet was needed. Ben Boynton donated a new cabinet for the sound system that he designed and built. Senator Timilty--Gale said that Senator Tim Timilty visited the COA to speak to the seniors about recent legislative issues, including a new bill about funding for hearing aids. Fuel Assistance Coordinator—Gale reported that she is in the process of hiring a new Fuel Assistance Coordinator. The Fuel Assistance Coordinator works for both the COA and Social Services, Computer Training -Gale also reported that the COA has a participant in the Tax Work Off Program training seniors on the computer. The list of people wanting individualized training is growing. There was a discussion about the SmartLink program. Gale is probably going to phase that program out because the interest in taking classes through SmartLink is low. There was a discussion about computer use at the COA, and it was realized that there is a need for more computers at the COA for senior use. Fiber Optics—Gale told the Board that the town has installed fiber optic cables at the COA/Library building. The fiber optics will allow for faster file retrieval and internet use. Classes—Gale announced that the COA is starting new classes. The Painting Class will resume on September 19th after a very long break with Tax Work -Off Volunteer Nancy Bellerose. Yoga Class will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays, with Monday class being the extra class run privately. The Nutrition and Lifestyle Management Class is scheduled to begin the first week on October, but it maybe cancelled due to low sign up. The Minor Home Repair Grant was not funded to the degree requested, so only one town will benefit. The Triad Pasta dinner will be held on Monday. September 25'h at 5:00 PM. Senior Law Day will be held at the Attleboro District Court on Friday, September 29h at 9:30 AM. The Mansfield Municipal Electric Department Senior Safety Luncheon will be held on Friday, October 20'" at 11:30 AM. Mass Audiology will be holding a workshop and hearing evaluation on Monday, September 1101. in reported that Triad programs have been very successful. Project Lifesaver has enrolled two residents in the program so far. The Luminescent House Signs project has slowed for seniors, and the program will be open to the general public for a fee. Gale also said that she will attend a meeting on Mansfield's Emergency Preparedness on Tuesday, September 19a`. Triad will also host a workshop on Mansfield's Pandemic Flu and Emergency Management Program on Tuesday, October 17t' from 1:30 to 3:30. The workshop is for seniors and the general public. Assistant Director's Report: PawSox Trip --Debi reported that the annual PawSox Trip was on July 20a'. The trip was at capacity -18 seniors, and Bev also attended to supervise a person who has limited sight. Men's Breakfast—Debi said that the Men's Breakfast will be held on Thursday, September 21t. The program will be presented by George Miller, who collects cameras. Newsletter Changes—Debi informed the Board that there would be changes in the newsletter. The circulation has increased to almost 2,000, with about 1,700 being mailed out. There was a discussion about how to condense the newsletter into 4 pages. There will be changes on a trail basis. Old Business: FY 2006 Budget -Gale informed the Board that the Heat line item in the FY'06 Budget did not allow for the increase in fuel costs. 'Therefore, Gale will be requesting a $3,000 transfer at the Special Town Meeting to cover the budget shortfall. The FY 2007 Budget is very tight, and there is no flexibility. The FY 2007 Budget had $5,000 taken from Special Programs. There was a discussion about programs. New Business: My Senior Center—Gale reported that "My Senior Center" was installed on Monday, September 11'x. She said that there would be a senior aide through the Tax Work-OffProgram to coordinate the project. Gale demonstrated how "My Senior Center" was set up and operated. Public Health Warnings -Gale informed the Board that she learned that EEE has been found in Mansfield. There was a discussion about West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Retirement—Gale also informed the Board that Eileen Ouellette, John D'Agostino's secretary, is retiring in December. Her last day of work is scheduled for some time in October. f Housing Task Force: Donna said that there was nothing new to report. BESI Report: Mary issued the BESI report. She said that the Annual Meeting would be held on September 22°d. There would be a new slate of officers, and Mary could not serve as Treasurer. She did agree to be Secretary. There also was a discussion about the grant process regarding the Minor Home Repair proposal. Questions and Answers: Mary asked Donna if there were any plans to have the high school students do leaf raking this year. Donna said that she had not heard of any project going this year,. But she would inquire. If there is a program this year, it would not be done in conjunction with the Council On Aging because of the complexity of the process. Adjournment: With all business having been completed, Donna issued a motion to adjourn the meeting.With a second from Ben, the meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote at 4:40 PM.