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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA 09/10/2002MANSFIELD COUNCIL ON AGING ; MINUTES TO BOARD MEETING 9/10/02 U2" D C, „ F Present: Ed Sliney, Sr., Eileen Flint, Sonia Walgreen, Mary Butler, Frank Nilson„Dgbt : Surprenant and Gale Farrugia. Donna Harrington and Ben Boynton are excc ' iTS used. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Chair Sonia Walgreen at 7:30 pm. Minutes, Budget and Warrants: The minutes from June, 2002, and the budget and warrants for July and August were presented and discussed. Frank moved to accept the minutes with a second from Eileen. The minutes were accepted in a unanimous vote. Mary made a motion to accept the budget and warrants from July and August, with a second from Frank. The budget and warrants were accepted in a unanimous vote. Treasurer's Report: Mary reported that the gift account balance was $3,463.47. There was some discussion about the account. The Treasurer's Report was accepted in a unanimous vote. Correspondence: Gale circulated the correspondence file. She brought attention to the memo from John D'Agostino about the tree planting at the Town Hall on September 11, 2002, in memoriam to the events of 9/11 /01. Director's Report: Gale reported that the summer was very busy. Friends Chinese Buffet The Friends annual banquet this year was a Chinese Buffet. The function went very well. New Programs We are offering two new free programs on a trial basis. The first is a Chair Yoga Program offered by instructor Tina Walsh, who has offered her services for free. The other is a one time a month visit by an audiologist from Miracle Ear. Miracle Ear is offering free hearing exams, and hearing aid cleaning and evaluation. Sharon White—Gale reported to the Board that the Fuel Assistance Coordinator, Sharon White, has resigned her position. Her replacement, Ann Marie Mfpelkast, has already started. Computer Classes The computer classes were not offered over the summer. The classes have started up again. The September classes are filled, and the October classes are almost filled. Newspaper article—An article recently appeared in the paper about the YMCA beginning an advisory council to research the possibility of having a new site. The Y is looking for a Senior member. There was a discussion concerning the committee. Outreach Staff—Gale reported that the Outreach staff has been very busy. Sandy Maher has taken the SHINE class and is now a SHINE counselor, which now makes three available SHINE counselors in Mansfield. Triad—Triad has been also very busy. The File of Life Campaign has been active. The next step is to do the File of Life at the Housing Authority Senior developments. The Outreach staff is also filling out the File of Life with all clients during home visits. Self Defense Training—Larry Crossman from the Police Department has set up a self-defense training for other seniors, police departments, and interested staff from COA's. The "DECIDE” program creator from the Cambridge Police Department will offer the training for trainers on September 20 and 27'". The training is free to Mansfield because we are hosting the training. Lan caning Gale brought to the i 0 attention of the Board members that the landscaping project had been started. The 0 E landscaping is being done in house by the DPW. The DPW is also installing lighting through the parking lots. Community Resource Network—The Community Resource Network was started up again, after being dormant for many years. The response to the meetings has been very good. The group has decided to work on issues such as affordable housing, youth programs, and affordable access to medicines. The Community Resource Network has also compiled a directory of services available in Mansfield. Assistant Director's Report: Statistics—In the month of August, 681 people signed in to attend programs, and 589 people called the COA. History Series -The Council On Aging is offering alocal history series. The first workshop is presented by Ron Dalton, the President of the Massachusetts Archaeological Association and the Robbins Museum, and he will be offering a lecture and visuals on the archaeological history of this area. The second one is in October and will be presented by a personality from Plymouth Plantation. That workshop is being done in collaboration with the Mansfield Library as an intergenerational program. Alzheimer's Series The fall Alzheimer's support and education group has started. The group is small but very good. PawSox Debi reported that over the summer there were two trips to the Pawtucket Red Sox, The trips were small groups, IS in total, but everyone had a grand time. Old Business: Home Maintenance and Repair Program The office is up and running. The applications have been sent out to interested participants, and the applicants will be chosen for order by lottery. There is enough funding for about 20 households, with about 60 applicants. The ad was placed in the paper for the hiring of the Administrative Assistant. There were several good responses out of about 50 resumes received. The Program coordinator, Rahul Young, met with Outreach staff and Cindy Phillips to explain how the program worked, to enable them to work more effectively with their clients. We are a little behind in the proposed timeline. Wheelchair Loan Program—Gale and Louise have contacted a company to research the feasibility of inspecting and repairing our wheelchairs. We will get an estimate and make the decision from there. Formula Funding—Gale received good news from EDEA. Because of the increase in the elderly population in Mansfield, the amount in our formula grant increased by $1500.00. Boston Ballet—A discussion was held regarding the transportation costs for trips like "The Nutcracker". The Board agreed to allow a 50% funding for transportation to help to defray the costs of the ballet trip. Senior Law Dav Gale discussed the Senior Law Day program with the Board, On September 27'", about 20 Mansfield seniors, and seniors from 3 other towns, will be the guests of Judge Phillips of the Attleboro court. The program will take place in the morning, and there will be presentations, tours of the court, and refreshments. BESI Report: Frank did not have a BESI report. There was discussion about who would replace Frank, since his term is up in September. Frank made a motion that Mary be the representative from Mansfield on the BESI Board. Eileen issued a second to the motion. The motion carried in a unanimous vote. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:20 on a motion made by Ed, with a second made by Eileen.