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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA 02/11/2003Mansfield Council On Aging I, Board of Directors Minutes to Meeting 2/11/03 14 Present: Donna Harrington, Sonia Walgreen, Mary Butler, Ben Boynton, Gale Farrugia, Debra Surprenant, and Fire Lt. Neil Boldrighini. Call to Order: Sonia Walgreen called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM: Correspondence: Gale circulated the correspondence file. She presented information about automatic emergency defibrillators, an article from the newspaper about the possibility of staff cuts in Mansfield in the FY 2004 budget, a letter from Representative Poirier about the prescription tax, and a letter from Betty Cross, Budget, Warrants, Treasurer's Report and Minutes: The Board examined the budget, warrants, and the minutes from the December meeting. There was some discussion about the budget, and Gale explained that all town departments had a spending freeze. May gave the Treasurer's Report. She told the Board that the balance in the Gift Account was $3,185.67 With no other, questions, a motion was made by Donna to accept the Budgets, Warrants, Minutes and the Treasurer's Report as given. The vote was held on a second from Ben. The vote was unanimous. Director's Report: Budget Meeting—Gale reported that she had a budget meeting with John and other staff members. The budget recommendation was level funding with the increase in electric included. There was a discussion about the problem with the electric bill, and that we and the library were being charged at an erroneously low amount. Both FY 2003 budgets are being changed to reflect an increase. It was a clerical error.` Escort Program—Gale informed the Board that the Escort Program drivefhas resigned for health reasons. The program is temporarily suspended because of the hiring freeze. Med Wheels' Program. -There was a discussion about the new transportation; program, Med Wheels. It is run by GATRA, and is very complicated, involving a lot of ;paperwork to be filled out by the client. Our caseworkers will help the clients through, the process. Triad Program Triad is going very well, and there are some interesting activities coming up. A daily check-in program, the "Are You Okay?" Program, is available to all Mansfield elders and disabled persons. The program is run through the Sheriff's Department. Friends of the Drop In Center—The Friends have increased the annual membership fee to $5,00 from $1.00. The Friends group is trying to find ways to raise money. There will be a donation form in the next newsletter, and "in memory of campaign, to fund the postage costs of the newsletter. Free Tax Service—The IRS is supplying us with an income tax preparer this year. The service is free to Mansfield elders. Assistant Director's Report: Ianuary Statistics In January there were 821 people who signed in for services, and there were 572 incoming telephone calls logged. Alzheimer's Support Group It was decided that the Spring group would not meet because of the low attendance at the Fall group. We will resume in the Fall. PawSox—Debi explained that the Pawtucket Red Sox schedule is published. One trip will be planned, and the COA will try to hire a school ,bus from Southeast Vocational Technical High School for the transportation. The trip will probably be in August. Old Business: 'Formula Funds ale reported that there is a rumor that there will be a reduction in the formula funding for COAs. Pharmacy Program—The pharmacy program for elders has halted new enrollees for this year because of budget problems. COA/Library Joint Meeting The notes from that meeting were included. Defibrillators There is a push for all COA's to have Automatic External Defibrillators (AED's). Gale passed around some literature regarding the AED that was demonstrated at the COA to the staff. Neil Boldrighini will be here shortly to talk about the AED's and to demonstrate the model that the Fire Department uses. New Business: Landscaping- There was a question regarding when the landscaping would be finished at the COA. Because of budget constraints, that project may have to be put on hold. A suggestion was made to ,try and have the Garden Club beautify the property with gardens in the island. Participation Policy—Gale informed the Board that there is a need to more clearly define the policy regarding an elder's participation in COA programs. Because were are not a social ;day care facility, and families are often looking for day care alternatives, we are sometimes in the position of having program participants with severe cognitive issues. Because we do not have staff to do supervisory functions in these cases, we are in need of guidelines. Gale was able to get the policy used in Taunton. The policy will be given to all Board members to read. Donna had a question about the legality of the policy in Taunton. The Board decided that, when the policy is drafted, it will be reviewed by the Town Counsel. Defibrillator: Neil Boldrighini demonstrated the defibrillator used by the Fire Department. An explanation of how AED's work was given. There was a discussion about how to purchase the AED's and were they, would be placed. There may be money available through donations. Gale will continue to explore the purchase of the AFD. BESI Report: Mary Butler gave a report on recent BESI activities. There is a upcoming fundraising event. Also, St. Vincent de Paul gave a $5,000.00 donation to BESI emergencyfund. Adjournment: A motion was offered by Donna to adjourn the meeting, with a second by Ben. In a unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.