HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA 09/11/1990MANSFIELD COUNCILV
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MANSFIELD,tA`�'0209�80 OCT
PH 31
MEETING OF September 1 Ir, }&_tl
Chairman - Sonia Walgreen I�i4i55��tlj Sale Farrugia
Vice Chmn - Judy Cucinotta Ass't Director - -Ada Milliken
Treasurer - Beth Wood Secretary - Joseph F. Corliss Sr
Member - Patricia J. Hume Member - Lois Thomas
Member - Joy Lee Eppes
The meeting was opened at 7:35 PM by President Sonia Walgreen with
all Council members in attendance.
Due to a lack of a quorum, the June meeting was cancelled and
with no meetings in July and August there were no meeting minutes to be
read or voted upon.
Gale reported that there was an un -expected Electric Bill received
for $680.00 and that there was insufficient funds left in the
1989-90 budget to cover it. After going over her budget figures she con-
ferred with Dinah Amsden of the Library and they were able, to resolve
the problem by combining funds from both parties.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Over the Labor Day week -end there was a break-in
attempt at the Library-COA Center. Glass was broken and an attempt at
cutting the wires to the Library Air Conditioner was noted. No entry to
the building was noted and the Police were notified.
A United Way Conference on the subject of a
Vision for the 90's will be held on Tuesday, September 18th in Attleboro
Gale reported on the increasing calls for
assistance from members of our community due to the economic situation
in the State. Working in conjunction with the Salvation Army, United
Way, St. Mary's Church and the West Side Benevolent Society she stated
that the number of persons seeking assistance is growing each month. A
conference has been held with the Mansfield Electric Light Department to
attempt to resolve problems with clients who are as much as 3 months
behind in their payments and are in danger of being shut off. In her
voluntary job as co-ordinator for the Salvation Army in Mansfield Gale
is called on to try and -alleviate these situations. In the discussion
it was brought out that ther.e will have to be a concerted effort- by
State. and Federal agencies to provide a safety net for those who through
no fault of their own, are un -employed or disabled and unable to meet
their daily or monthly nedds.
Line dancing returns to the Center on September
^6th at 9:00 AM.
F
Exercise classes started up on Monday the 10th of
September at the Center.
With Bev Routenberg as Co-ordinator our Walking
Club has been re-newed as of Monday September 10.
PAGE TWO: MANSFIELD COUNCIL ON AGING - SEPTEMBER 11 1990
/ On September 26th Mr. Bob O'Bycke of Blue Cross-
,. ,ue Shield will be at the center to review the latest information on
the new rules for seniors. He will speak at 1:00 PM.
Painting Classes will resume on October 9th at
1:00 PM at the Center.
September 18th is the day for free Memory
Portraits at the Center. Ada stated that over 30 persons have signed up
for this free sitting. A 5 x 5 portrait will be given to each
participant and if they wish additional,they may make arrangements at
the photographers studio.
The Ceramics instructor will not be available this
year and hence the classes are temporarily suspended. Gale indicated
that last years instructor really over-extended herself to make sure
everyone attending accomplished their goals and as a result she devoted
time away from her own needs and plans. She will be missed
and Gale will continue a search for a replacement. We all thank her for
a service well done.
The local Lion's Club has notified Gale that they
have some funds and individuals available to assist seniors in some
small projects around their home. During the discussion it was thought
that the clients of the Center being serviced by our Out -Reach Program
•-•ould be eligible fox this type of assistance as well as those clients
iat regularly attend activities at the Center.
The Chairman of the Mansfield Finance Committee
suggested to Gale that the members of his Boy Scout Troop would like to
put on an old Fashioned Christmas Party for Seniors at the Center on
Sunday December 16th between 5:00 and 8:30 PM. A magician who dresses
in clothing of the 1830's would provide entertainment, refreshments
would be served. Discussion evolved around several ideas and Gale will
contact the gentleman to firm up the plans and report to the Board.
Lucrezia Benign! has come aboard as the new Senior
Aide. She will be at the Center from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM daily
to fill a needed service to our clients. Welcome Lucrezia.
Effective September 11 1990 the GATRA van will now
be serviced on a regular basis at the GATRA facility in Taunton. We
will still be able to receive emergency service from the Department of
Public Works in case the van has a problem during one of its many runs.
The annual COA Christmas Party for Seniors has
been tentatively slated for December 7th, 1990 at the Center. There is
a slight conflict in booking the Center Public Meeting Room and Gale and
Sonia are working to resolve this item. Our caterer and entertainment
are booked for this date.
The regular order of business was suspended at 8:00 PM to
{ llow Colin Cauldwell and Alexander Salachi to bring to our attention a
"problem in the booking of the Public Meeting Room to outside
groups. The Library controls evening bookings for the Meeting Room and
they have a request from a party, presently using the room once a month,
to reserve the room for their monthly meetings for a year in advance.
Under the present rules, agreed to by both Boards, no group can reserve
-I-- „_ D.,,.,,, F.,r mnrP than three months at a time.
PAGE THREE: MANSFIELD COUNCIL ON AGING - SEPTEMBER 11 1990
During the third month they can re -apply for an
9ditional three month period. It was felt that this rule should remain
jr various reasons and the Library Trustees agreed. Also brought up
was the problem of declining use of the meeting room if some
one has it
booked and has not abided by the rules as they pertain o
of the facility.
Mr Salachi brought up the subject of our Trust
Fund and Gale informed him that according to the Town Treasurer, who
will manage the funds, the Trust Fund enacted by the Legislature will
become effective on November 1st, 1990. Mr Salachi as Treasurer of the
Fund Raising committee will write the check to the COA Trust Fund and
figure the interest to be divided between the COA and the Library.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Ada reports that during the month of
August we carried 322 persons a total of 1,222miles. We carried 301
persons on regular runs and 21 persons were carried to the JAY-CEES
Chicken roast at the Center.
The COA Penny Sale is scheduled for
Thursday September 13, 1990 at the Center. The Lions Club has
graciously donated the tickets needed to run the sale.
Before the GATRA van came to town we had
ur own Mini -Bus. Ada reported to the Board that the Friends of the
Drop -In -Center had set up a Fund to handle emergencies on the Mini -Bus
and that now that we have the GATRA van (maintenance provided) they had
an account they no longer needed. On her recommendation the Friends
will transfer the approximately $900.00 to Gale for her fuel assistance
program.
OLD BUSINESS:
Patricia Hume brought up the meeting of the Fund
Raising Committee in May when there was dispute by the Library Trustees
over the distribution of the monies raised in the fund-raiser campaign.
At that meeting Pat Hume suggested that the COA put on a special fund
raiser with the entire receipts going to the Library. Judy Cucinotta
and Joy Lee Eppes made a motion that we put on a Mardi -Gras Party at the
Center on February 1st, 1991 as a matter of Good Neighbor Policy for the
Library Trustees. Gale will bring it up at the_ next Inter -Generational
meeting and plans will go forward for the event.
Gale brought up the CLT Referendum that will be on the
ballot in: November. This petition would diminish funding for many of
our programs and indeed would cancel many of our efforts on behalf of
our senior citizens. A NO vote is requested on this question.
i Gale brought up a case the COA was involved in over the
Labor Day week. One of Linda's Out -Reach clients, a blind man, was
found to be in serious trouble at home due to lack of adequate care.
The man has too high an income and resources in the bank to be eligible
for assistance. His Social Security and Pension checks are direct -
deposit items to his bank.
PAGE FOUR: MANSFIELD COUNCIL ON AGING - SEPTEMBER 11, 1990
His next door neighbor has been trying to assist him
f ,.t is unable to provide the 29 hour care he needs. After several
_iforts.they were able to get him taken to the hospital for care
but he will be discharged soon. It was pointed out that although he was
ineligible for the usual programs he is without family to care for him
and some how the community must assure that he is taken care of
properly. On a motion by Joseph Corliss, seconded by Lois Thomas, Gale
was directed to contact the Town Counsel as to the limits of service
that the COA can provide in circumstances like this. She is to cite
this case and others she is involved in and request an opinion on which
to base her decisions. In light of this and similar situations that are
arising Gale will attempt to contact all local service organizations to
seek their help in combatting these problems as they arise.
There is a major deficit problem with Nutrition Program
and as of October 1st,1990 we are losing the vehicle we had assigned to
us for home delivery meals. It was costing Bristol Elder Service in
Fall River $8,000.00 a year to lease the vehicle and in light of the
cuts in funding the vehicle had to go. Our regular driver has gone out
and purchased a used car, suitable for our purpose, and will be able to
continue delivering meals to the home -bound.
Gale discussed with the Town Manager the inclusion of a
Line Item for Building Maintenance. we have never had this before and
it is imperative that we provide for future repairs to our building as
time marches on. This item is to be used in case of un -foreseen repairs
',,at may arise from time to time over the lifetime of the building.
On a motion by Joy Lee Eppes, seconded by Patricia Hume
the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 PM to October 9, 1990 at 7:30 PM.
R
pct
submitted,
i GQ
ose h F. Corliss Sr
Secretary