HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA 03/14/2000DECEIVED
OFFICE
COUNCIL ON AGING QQ DEC 21 PH 12:55
MINUTES OF MARCH 14, 2000 MA1'i ; *fLLD
MASSACHUSETTS
Present: Sonia Walgreen, Frank Nilson, Mary Butler, Ben Boynton, Eileen Flint.
Excused: Donna Harrington, & Ed Sliney, Sr.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Pres. Walgreen. The Treasurer's Report,
Minutes, Budget Status and Warrants of February were approved and accepted.
Gift Account: $2,481.61
DIRECTORS REPORT:
See Attachment.
ASSISTANT DIRECIFOR'S REPORT:
Debbie thanked the Board for allowing her to attend, since she is not officially at the
COA yet. She reported that for the month of February 874 people signed -in at the COA.
The Gatra Van travelled 1,650 miles and transported 473 passengees (404 elders and 69
non -elders.
OLD BUSINESS:
Gale reported that the Board of Selectmen at their meeting of March 1, 2000 voted 4-1 to
transfer the Gatra Service to another Contract provider with the understanding that the
second van would run service starting in April before the end of the Towns Contract. It
was not clear what this means except that the new service would be tested to see if it was
beneficial to the Town.Gale will contact Francis Gay to find out what the next plan of
action is. The COA Boards position was to "wait and see what develops with the Gatra
Van Service."
The first session of Computer classes being held at Star Computer Training in Franklin
was very
sucessful and nine people from Mansfield attended. A second series of computer classes
will run in April. Vote by the Board to continue payment of classes for Mansfield Seniors
paid for through the Trust Fund was approved and unanamously voted.
NEW BUSINESS:
Gale reported that there will be a short fall in the electricity line item in the COA Budget
will occur in the amount of $100041500 for this year. The Library will also have a much
I larger short -fall probably in the thousands. The problem arose when the damand service
amount went up in July and at the same time a mis-reading of the electric meter occured.
This caused a major jump in the amount of monthly payment that both the Library and
COA paid. Leslie contacted the sight Dept. and they analized the problem. A new meter
was put in along with a_ percent reimbursement was given back to the COA & Library.
However, it is still not enought to get us both through the end of June. Leslie requested
an audit which we are still waiting for. Both Leslie and Gale feel that there is still
something wrong with the hugh jump in the electric bills.There may be a leak in electricity
from something in the building - the audit may show this. Leslie and Gale met with the
Town Manager to discuss the problem. John asked to wait till we got further along in our
budgets to see just what the short fall may be and to see if our bottom line figures may
absorb some of the short -fall. If it looks like we will not have enough then we will have to
ask the finance committee for a buget transfer.
Sonia discussed - election of officers and asked Frank Nilson to be the new President. A
vote will be taken in April for the new slate of officers.
Gale was sent an e-mail by the Selectmen requesting each Dept. Head to prepare a list of
questions to be used for selection of potential Board Members. In -put from the Board
suggested that a question regarding Elder abuse and neglect be included in the questions.
BESI: Frank N. reported that the RFP's for grant funding have gone out. The Nutrition
Contract is also up and this year they are looking to fund for five years. Frank is working
on Term appointments for the Board of Directors. He also spoke on the need to change
the laws for Protective Services so that more elders will benefit from the services.
The meeting adjourned ar 8:30 p.m.