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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA 10/26/1976r Members present: Benson and Maureen MINUTES MANSFIi.LD COJNCIL ON AGLU, October 26, 1976 Bradford Johnson, Clara Flint, Linda Martinelli, Doreen Mulcahy, Dolores Canner, Director. 1. Meeting convened at 7:45 p.m. 2. 'President Johnson opened the meeting by stating the reason for this meeting was to determine the types of progrrms the Drop In Center willfeature in the future. The Council wouldset the tone of the Meeting and then the audience am ldbe asked to make suggestions and/or comments. After this discussion, the operation of the DIC and hm rs of the Director and Qlary limits will be discussed; perhaps in Executive Session. President Johnson then explained the reason for an Executive Session. Mr. Johnson commented the -t he was happy to see so many people in the audience and hoped they wouldedd their comments to our meeting. He stated that the current DIC programming centered on Social. Service Programs and then Recreations) Programs. The Secretary read suggestions that ,,were in the Suggestion Box; many of which were deemed to be personality problens and wouldbe reserved foran Executive Session. It was decidedto handle those comments relating to programming and hours of the DW. A question from the oudienceaskedwhat a Senior he was. This was explainedase Federal funded program to employ the eldezjrwho met certain government stipulated guide lines. Mrs. Rita McAuley df Norton is the Senior wide working in Mansfield. ries. Edredge MCAus]a nd spoke on a Senior Aide as being someone whom she understood would be engaged in Outreach projects. Mrs. hlcAuslnd was surprised that Mrs. McAuley wasnot used in a more effective manner rather than just doing day to day duties at the Center. Linda Martinelli advised of how some members of the Council had tried to run the Center in Maureen's absence and she felt that Mrs. McAuley had not been cooperative in her dealings with these members. Mrs. Dolores Benson asked if the Senior Citizens present would care to make comments on the types of programs or whatever other input they would care to aid at this time. Pana Powers mentioned, more entertainment, more trips and thingsthe Senior Community could get together with. Phil Connor agreed there hedbeen some friction at the Center; he feels there should be more Senior Citi,en participation; not 'letting just a few do allthe work. He feels we need more cooperation within the group. Lena Jodice would liketo hear music in the Center. Dick Bradbury feels the DIC set up is quite inadequate. There is no privacy foreny activity planned. As an individual, he would like the Center to be a place where be could drop in to visit, play games or work crafts; havecoffee or sometimes .just sit and chat;a place where you would like to come. Harry Nordberg said th; TV set is not used once a month. He would like to see more card games and more dart games. He also added that some bus trips are cancelledbecause not everyone pays in time. t_ Its. Benson then asked if what the people wanted to see was more fun and games, and less social service activities. Phil Coninor feels stringly that the Dict Counselling and rel -ted programs are essential and the Council agreed. President Johnson then added that `t seems most peoplewanted more recreational activities but there were those who felt there were people who needed caring for. Linda Martinelli said that in some research she had done the pact week there were those who did not care for the Diet Counselling or the Talk 9reak Pm prams. As a point of interest, Mrs. Ifiartinelli pointed out that there was no one at the 'l alk Brea? scheduled for last Iednesday. Alice D2vis had ppE'A,cipat' ua „ the Talk Break but does no come anymore because she felt it wes not a, "privi eyed Discussi-n Group. She also indicated an interest in ruturning to the Group. Edna _toc4nrnod .ri'd/th c CONONA. ,c. lo/?6#76 p/2 Duncan Goodwin, a volunteer Minibus Driver, doesnot want to seethe Center open longer hours. pn a volunteer he feels infringed upon and woild no longer drive the bus. Mrs. Benson asked for consideration of the suggestion that the Center be open longer hours but that the mini- bus hours remain the some. Howard Durland would like the Center tobe open more hours. President Johnson asked for a vote of interest; how many would like the Center open lonver hours (5) how many need minibus transportation (Il) how many don't core (5). Phil Connor askedwho would be responsible Sur the Center the extra hours. He .would like to see the Center open on Saturdays also. With Cobb claims that Pto exams startat the Center before she arrives on the Vinibus -which usually runs lutes. It wassuggested that the Dispatcher put her in an earlier time .Plot for nick up. Linda Martinelli questionedif we would keep our Minibus Driversif the Center hours ;were extended. Brad Johnson offeredthat if we expand our proerams, we vill reed moredrivers and more volunteers, especially the help of the Senior Citizens. Wrie Connor said that the Pot Luck Dinner eras enjoyed by all who attended but no one twan4 d to be responsible for organizing a sedond one. Gertrude Hoyden stated that the old folks are morealone on weckends than at ot'ner inc.s and felt the Dinner was an excellent idea and perhshas could be more fully followed up to getthe necessary help. Doreen Mulcahy complimented Iena Jodiceand Ldredgc McCausland on the success of their recent Pumpkin Fri- Oich netted around 05.30 forthe &Wndscf tt_e Drop In Cooler. Tinrdber^ SOL& t'hOye need the efforts of everyone to keep the DIC funetioninrr. Dolores Henson stated the people who ore doing the Food Coop are petting tired of doim; it. She zls) statedthattheee are only } or a people in the copper embossing class which she feels is one few. ndred7e McCausland feels the trips should be outlined more specifyW what will be included in the trip. Phil Connor added that the DIC and the Golden Age: had pl:rned trips at the some time which resulted in the DIC cencelli.ng because the people carnet afford them so closet.ogether. Laura Chapman stated that the CA trip was posted lon^ before the DIC trip was scheduled and also she did not think the DIC trip to Vermont we5 gond plannine hec-use the people had none there before. Mrs. Chapman said she had advised Maureen of the trip in advance. Anna FnwerC stated that a 'frit' Committee was appni_nted cu t of the Friendsof the DTC but there has not been any octi.vity on this. Dolores Benson sucreested that the Suggestion Box be used more frequently. President Johnson apologized for not phr =ing his ,cords more carefully at the previous meetins and hoped he had not antponized anyone through misunderstanding. He added that he hoped the Council would continue to get more input from the :=senior Citizens. Clara Mint asked if the audience coul.dndvise us of arV new programs they would like tolhve. :Bred said he understood that the people would like more social activities on a day to day basis; end if this is *.what they want we shell try to provide it. Bre also advisedthat he hadreceivede letter frgm a Mrs. Herrabee praising Maureen's help in resolving same problems she had. He then added that it seerrrcd we do not need a psy- chiptri.st in attendence but do need social services available; however more fun type group oriented pr^jects should be instituted. Mrs. Jodice asked if a Christmas Shopping Kip could be orepniaed and she was advised that we were working on that through the Jayceeb. Maureen spoke saying this had been a healthy night for all; criticism is constructive; what happened here tonight was in fact the. Wednesday morning, "Talk break". She st.atedthat she cares a. -lot about the people in Mansfield and wants to work more closely with the people. Amin Powers stated that she will come to meetings of the Wends again with the under- standine that she willbenble to speak and not shut off before she has finished. Maureen wantsto meet the needs of everyone; health, welfare, recreation etc. Airs. Tina Jordan spoke savinethat Mau-een hadbee.n very helpful to her and the was very appreciative. Z 'con'ori��r�: 10/'6/76 P.3 Orad Johnson then raisedthe question of how many hours we need a Director for. The present Director's salary is 0010.00. He wantsto maintain current Social Service Programs and {F increase the number of recreational type programs. On the question of how many hours forthe Director, Mrs. Benson proposed the idea of two Coordinators; one working 18 hours per week, the other working 12 hours that week with alternating work schedules. She suggested this because if any town employee works more than 20 hours per week; they mu.=t receive town benefits such as insurance, pension etc. and she did not want to old this burden to the town..... Mrs. Benson's proposal is for one Coordinator to handle Social Service Programs and the other to handle Recreation at a rete of 13.75 per hour. If the current Director goes on a 2q hair per week schedule it will result in a eubstatiel cost to the town between salary increase and benefits. Mrs. Benson would liketo propaieat Town Meeting that we increase our salary request to IWO per hour with the DIC being open additional hours up to 40. Mrs. Benson's motion as presetted for a vote: Two Coordinators for DIC with Senior Coordinator responsible for Social Services etc. working 18 hoursper week at a salary of ;> OO per hour and an ASsistent Coordinator working 12 hours peraeek responsible mainly for recreational activities ate salary of QW AO per hour/seconded, Doreen dulcahy, motion failed 3-3. Marie Connor stated that she felt the Director shun ld have a background in Sociology and Psychology as well whatever else wasnecessary to run the DIC. A motion was made for Mrs. 3enson to rework her proposal for a full presentation at the next Council Meeting; Doreen Mulcahy/ Linda Martinelli; carried. Marie Connor/Dolores Benson motion to reopen and discuss vehicle expenses; carried. A discussion resulted in increasing the lire item request to Q1,200.0. f At this point a vote was taken to go into Executive Session to discuss personalities: Voting were, Bradford Johnson, Clara Flint, Linda Martire lli, Doreen Mulcahy, Marie Connor and Dolores Benson. respectfully submitted, Doreen Tlulcahy Secretary { t rl Minutes Mansfield Council on A;ing Executive Session October 26, 1976 resident Johnson opened the Executive Session by statim that the topic of conversation centers around the Director and her N ndlingof the Drop In Center. Mrs. Benson furtherstoted that last week when Maureen gave her oral reignation it wasthe result of Mrs. Benson asking for a copy of the Director's Job Description and Council's By Laws. Mrs. Benson feels it is a communication problem between the Director and the Council. She feels she cannot function as a memberof the Council without knowing more about the responsibilities and duties oftthe Director. Also she toes not feel thatell the Board members understand the total operation of the Council. It is Mrs. Belson's personal feeling the Maureen walked out not only on the Council but on the Senior CitiAwns of Mansfield as well. Doreen Mulcahy agreed with thisstatee nt adding that she felt that Maureen had acted in a totally unprofessional manner at last week's meeting. Marie Connor felt that Dolores' tone of voice was very militant. Brad Johnson added that he felt the tone of questioning was accusatorial and he wasstunned by it. Clara Flint eddedthat she felt the tone of questioning, was harsh. Dolores apologized for the miFunderstanding over the tone of her voice. She then stated that she felt that out of common courtesy; Maureen should have been in contact with the Drop In Center. Tonight's ne eting was the first knowledge anyone had that Maureen hedbeen sick. A general discussion resulted in the following points: Maureen felt attacked at last week's meetini; she definitely wants the Council to work with her. :Mrs. Benson feels she has given her utmost in work and cooperation for the Council. She also feels that RitalMcAuley is not an asset to the Center. Understandably, she world try to protect her job under the past week's circumstances but she was not very cooperative to the Council :Members who took over in w4ureen's absence. Mrs. W rtinelli will investigate the possibility of replacing Tota ith onother Senior Aide. Brad Johnson feels that not enough people are talking directly with the Director and letting her know hoer they feel. Head 0tted that he is one of the people who does not come in the Center and he intendsto correct this. Maureen was then asked if she wantedto return as Director and her statement was that she did want to return and she had given much thought to her position and realized she would have to change her thinking somewhat about the running of the DIC also. Dolores Benson statedthat a proposal had been made to alter the requirements for a Director as well asthe work hours end questioned if it is bene fici.lto Maureen to continue until the proposal hasbeen revisedand presented a n in. Brad Johnson would like to see Maureen return and work on an interim basis until the new proposal is submitted; since the Town voted to hire a. Director for the year wt a certain salary and we should honor that contract. Mar reen then statedthat perhaps she should resign for the good of the Program. Brad -said the vera) nally he does not want her to resign but that the Council must have a definite answer. A question arose asco whether the new ,job proposal pending, might shatter any feelings of permanency Maureen would have. Brad feels that Dolores' proposal was a com- plete change oftht Director's Job inscription. Mrs. Benson countered by saying that she felt her pronoselwas a solution to the answer of Mauree.n's resignation. She willask the Town Counsel for a ruling on whether it is legal to change the Director's Job Description and salary before the end of the fiscal year. Motion made, Clara Flint/,Doreen Mulcahy to direct Marven to resume her duties commencing ;tomorrow under the conditions of her original employment; carried. Mrs. 3enson stated that she wouldilrs. Canner to know that she voted against her reinstatement but will continue to work with her forthe vood of the Senior Citizens. Uti.on to adjourn at 11:30 P.m.; Marie Connor/Doreen Mulcahy, carried.