HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA 04/08/1986Council On Aging Minutes
TOWN OF MANSFIELD
Council on Aging
184 NORTH MAIN STREET
P.O. BOX 232
MANSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 02048
Telephone (617) 339.4424 4
339.5261 ,.
April 8, 1986
The Meeting was called to order at 8:00 P.M. by President Robert Marshall.
All were present except for Judy Cucinotta, who is ill; Leigh Ann Foster,
who is in labor with her second child; and Ada Milliken, who is away.
The Secretary's Report was amended to read that Bob Marshall will be on the
Municipal Building Committee instead of Gale. Gale is not a resident of
Mansfield and therefore would not have a vote. The report was then accepted.
The Treasurer's Report and the Budget Status were reviewed and then accepted.
Correspondence:
1.) Notice from the Town Accountant that our telephone budget is overdrawn
by $67.38.
2.) Notice from the Town Planning Director, Richard J. Callinan to request
a member of the COA to join others in forming an Advisory Committee
(i.e.: Growth Management Council).
3.) From the Attorney General, an invitation to a conference on "Elders
and the Law" to be held April 29th.
4.) Five (5) announcements of seminars and conferences on a variety of
issues facing senior citizens.
The Director's Report
1.) May is Senior Citizens month. Plans to celebrate include a pot -luck
supper at the D.Z.C. on Tuesday, May 6th, at 5:30 P.M. Qualters Middle School
will serve a spaghetti supper on Wednesday, May 14th.
2.) A walking club has begun. Claire Gagnon leads the group at 10:00 A.M.
each Thursday morning.
3.) Gale will be on vacation April 18 -25th, and will return to work on April
28th.
4.) Phil Kane needs volunteers to put "cancer kits" together. Seniors will
assemble them at the D.I.C.
requires
5.) Because the summer Youth Program (formerly CETA)) 30 hours of supervision
each week, it was moved and voted not to apply this year.
6(C0A Minutes 8 Apr 86) 2.
6.) The meals program has needed to increase the "donation rate" from $1.00
to $1.50. Otherwise, in order to stay within budget, meals in July and August
would have to be eliminated.
old Business:
Dinah Amsden and Gale reported on their meeting with the Recreation Committee
and the Selectmen's meeting. Dinah is also working with the Conservation Commis-
sion.
Dinah presented maps and some preliminary plans for the proposed Library/COA
building. Her presentation included a history of the land from 1952 to the
present time. Some changes will need to be made to accomodate a site for a
softball field. The cost of all this will be in the vicinity of $80/sq. foot,
and the estimated total is about $2 million.
Fund-raising ideas were brought forward. Activities which include the Recreation
Department, such as a Bike-a-thon - which would include the Library's setting
up displays about bicycle care and repair, and the COA giving help at food and
water stops - were suggested. An all -town event would certainly be the best way
to gain broad-based support for our project. The Library has started a building
fund. The Friends of the Council On Aging would be willing to establish such a
fund, too. We will have an Article (#42) before the Town Meeting requesting
$12,000 to engage an architect.
One of our major concerns is that COA facilities be wholly handicapped-accessable.
New Business:
1.) It was moved and voted unanimously that 'Tricia Hume be appointed to the
BCHCOE Board of Directors. She and Bob Marshall will attend the Annual Meeting
of that group on Friday, April 25th.
2.) The following slate of Officers for the ensuing year was moved and voted
unanimously;
President: Patricia J. Hume
Vice -President: Leigh Ann Foster
Secretary: Joseph Corliss
Treasurer: Joan Secher
At this time, Gale thanked Bob Marshall for his dedication as President these
past two years.' His many extra efforts are appreciated. Thank you, Bob, from
all of us. Bob reassured us that he will remain an active member of the Council.
3.) An Associate Member for the Advisory Board is needed for those times Gale
will be unable to attend. The meetings are in Fall River on the 1st Thursday of
each month. Joe Corliss nominated Vicki Prasad. Joan seconded the motion, and
the vote gave unanimous assent.
4.) A discretionary award of $2,000 has been received to use to supplement
the exercise program which meets twice each week.
(COA Minutes 8 April 86) 3.
5.) Russ Prevost, a student at Boston College, presents a research project
questionnaire for our approval. The purpose of his study is to do depression
testing on senior citizens for his doctoral degree. After reviewing the ques-
tionnaire, it was our unanimous vote to deny permission for this research on
the elder people of our town. Our reason was that it tends to stimulate
depressive thinking and provides no follow-up care or concern. Gale will
write to Mr. Prevost regarding our decision.
Question and Answer Time;
1.) Vicki raised some fund-raising ideas, thinking they might include some
corporate involvement.
2.) Joe asked about the condition of the chair -lift on the van. It has been
repaired and is working well. It appears that water in the gasoline has been
causing another problem with the van.
.. Keys were given to the new Treasurer and President.
The meeting adjourned at 9;30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia J. Hume