Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA 04/10/1990MANSFIELD COUNCIL ON AGING 255 HOPE STREET MANSFIELD, MA 02048 MEETING OF April 10, 1990 Chairman - Sonia Walgreen Director Vice Chmn - Judy Cucinotta Asst Director Treasurer - Beth Wood Secretary Member - Patricia J. Hume Member Member - Joy Lee Eppes RECEAVED 90 MAY -2 AN 9: 19 MASSACHUSETTS - Gale Farrugia - Ada Milliken - Joseph F. Corliss Sr - Lois Thomas The meeting opened at 7:95 PM with President Pat Hume presiding at her last meeting before turning over the reins to in --coming Chairlady Sonia Walgreen. Additional members present at this meeting included Lois Thomas, Joy Lee Eppes, Beth Wood and Joseph Corliss. The Secretary's Report was accepted as submitted on a motion by Joy Lee Eppes, seconded by Sonia Walgreen. The Treasurer's Report, Budget Status and Warrants were accepted as submitted on a motion by Joseph Corliss, seconded by Beth Wood DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Gale reported that through a Grant from the Arts Lottery Fund Paula Foresmen and Lynn Steward will be making a Quilt Wall Hanging for presentation to the Center. It will be similar to the Quilt they assembled last year as a fund-raiser for the COA/Library fund raising. Through the efforts of Althea Sankey and Sue Hanson the Center has been provided with beautiful display cabin- ets. On March 22nd the new Council on Aging van from GATRA arrived. The two way radio is now installed and from all reports the van is being well received. The wheel chair lift is much easier to operate. GATRA has posted a sign in the front of the bus requiring all users to use the seat belts when .riding the bus. The previous bus dial not have seat belts. The AFL/CIO United Steel Workers of America Municipal Employees Unit is recruiting members from the non-union Personnel/Management people working for the Town of Mansfield. To date there has only been informational contact with Town em- ployees, however, if they secure enough members willing to be represented by the Union then Gale and Ada may have to become part of the bargaining unit. Gale will keep us up to date as this new idea unfolds. Sue Fitzgerald, a counselor at the Qualters Middle School contacted Gale with reference to visual materials for use in a two lesson curriculum for Intergenerational Pro- gramming. Gale referred her to Pat Barnicle at the School Department as she has been working with the COA in our Inter- generational programs. PAGE TWO - MANSFIELD COUNCIL ON AGING - APRIL 10 1990 On April 25, 26, and 27th Gale will be in Washington, D. C. attending the National Councils on Aging annual. Conference. This Conference presents many seminars on the many facets that professionals face in the care of our elderly. From her attendance at this professional gathering she will learn how others are meeting the needs of their clients and can bring back fresh ideas to enable the Board to better serve our clientele. We all look forward to her report at the May meeting. On April 26th at 5:30 PM the Annual Qualters Middle School Spaghetti Supper will be held. This annual affair provides a complete evening meal prepared and served by the stu- dents followed by music under the direction of Mr. Peter Conti. Gale reported that Town Manager Thomas Dwyer suffered the loss of his father recently. It was voted that the Board send him a card of sympathy. The Annual Town Meeting has been set for May 19th and hopefully they can approve the budget for the Town be- fore June 1st as required by the Town charter. With the State fiscal crisis it will be difficult to present the budget without knowledge of State Aid figures. Gale has 3 weeks vacation coming to tier and p= Ada has 9 weeks vacation. Due to rules pertaining to vacations they must use these up before the new fiscal year. It will be a bit difficult to operate the Center with one person in charge while the other is out on leave but the Board is certain we can manage to accomplish all the necessary services during this time. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S REPORT: During March we transported 305 persons a total of 1,189 miles. With the arrival of the new bus a new format for reporting to CATRA was instituted. Odometer readings are taken only once a week and the records of trips are on a slightly dif:[erent form. Ada reports it is easier for all concerned. On May 18th there will be a Pot - Luck Dinner served at the Center. Although not confirmed yet there may be some form of entertainment following the meal. This date is also Volunteer Recognition Day and an appropriate note will be taken of the many volunteers at the Center.. Gale is trying to have the State Department of Elder Affairs Secretary to visit with us on May 18. The Friend's of the Drop -In --Center will honor Edith Cobb for her years of service on behalf of the Friends and the Center. OLD BUSINESS: Gale reported on the procedures being taken to set up the COA Trust Fund to handle the $93,000.00 allotted to the ('OA CLirinn 1 -hp frnnr7 r'irivn_ PAGE THREE - MANSFIELD COUNCIL ON AGING - APRIL 10, 1990 Representative Hill Vernon will file legislation 4. at the State House following an affirmative vote at Town Meeting on Article 36. Until this legislation is signed into law the money in the fund cannot be spent unless approved by a Town Meeting vote. In the meantime the money is gathering interest in the bank for us. in the matter of the 514,000.00 left to the Town in a will for the benefit of elder citizens of Mansfield Gale stated that the Town is submitting a plan for use of this money through the Council on Aging. It may be some time before we hear the final word on the Town plan and the way in which it will be administered. It has been nearly a year now since the fund- raising committee contacted major donors for verification of the wording on plaques that would be placed in various locations in the new COA/Library building. Joy Lee Eppes spoke of how she and members of the committee worked for days on this phase of the fund raising operation. Mr. Ken Parsons had promised to have them .ready for the dedication but to date no plaques have been forthcoming. It was the decision of all attending that we should contact Mr. Parsons personally and see if we can get an answer as to when they will be available. Mr Corliss is to contact Steve MacCaffrie in regards to the installation of the large bronze plaque on the boulder at the entrance to the COA/ Library building. With a flutter in her voice and a hint of a tear in her eyes Chairman Hume turned over the Chairmanship to Sonia Walgreen. She recalled her 4 years in the position and all the steps along the way to the new Center. She was proud of her service and hopes to remain a part of the Hoard for many years to come. Mr. Corliss recounted how hard she worked for the Center from its initial conception through its joint venture with the Library Trustees, the Town Meeting vote for funds and the long building process. In addition to the Center she worked to improve client services and defended our budget before Town boards. Chairman Walgreen and Gale will consult with the Library Trustees to review the procedures we have agreed to in regard to the use of the Public Meeting Room. The format will be reviewed and revised, if necessary, at future meetings in September 1990 and March 1991. For the first time in was able to make a motion to adjourn, The meeting closed at 9:00 PM. over four years Pat Hume seconded by Lois Thomas. Re peci:fully�}z�mi tedL sep F. Corliss Sr. (�'/ Secretary