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Home My WebLink AboutCOA 02/13/2019Mansfield Council on Aging Board of Directors Minutes to Meeting February 13,2019 RECEIVED TOPN CLE_lKS OFFICE 2fl19 JUR -S A 11: 21 MANSFIELD Present: Mary Hourigan, Joan Hoey, Dick Kelsay, Norma Smith, Paula Topjian C H iU S ET T S Christiansen, Tom Keogh, and Josephine Madrazo. Guests: Nancy Graf, Eileen Berenson, and Kevin Dumas, Mansfield Town Manager. Call to Order: Board Chairman Richard Kelsay opened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. Dick introduced new Board member, Paule Topjian. Paula, a Mansfield resident for 13 years, told us about her background in healthcare administration. The Board welcomed Paula. Dick Kelsay introduced Town Manager (TM), Dumas. The TM praised Acting Director Josephine Madrazo and the staff of the COA for their outstanding work keeping programs afloat during this interim time until a permanent Director can be hired. He reported on plans to reconfigure the COA space to make room for all Social Service staff, previously housed at the Town Hall. He also reminded the Board that Representative Jay Barrows has secured $25,000 to fund a feasibility study, which will include the soon -to - be -vacated West Street Police station and the future space needs for the COA. He reported that a draft report complete with many recommendations has been submitted to the Commonwealth by the Governor's Task Force on Aging, and will be made public in June or July. Chairman Dick Kelsay asked the TM if we needed town approval to improve signage in front of our building, including the possibility of renting a portable sign for advertising specific events. TM Dumas suggested that we decide what we need, contact Mark Cook at the Highway Department, and then come to the Select Board for advice. The Board thanked TM Dumas for his time on an especially busy day, due to the fire at the Main Street fire station. Minutes of the Board Meeting on January 16, 2019: The Board examined the Minutes of the Board Meeting of January 16, 2019. Norma Smith offered a motion to accept the Minutes of said meeting. Joan Hoey seconded the motion. The motion was passed by a unanimous vote. Estimated Budget Status to Date, December 2018 Warrants: Treasurer Tom Keogh reported the gift account balance of $28,600.11. The report was unanimously accepted on a motion from Lynda Christiansen, seconded by Norma Smith. Correspondence: No correspondence. Acting Director's Report: Josephine reported that she was working on the formula fund grant. The library has suggested that we work together on an Open House to showcase opportunities offered by both the COA and the library. Possible date: September 25. Old Business: The Board continued a discussion concerning publicity and ways of attracting new people to the COA for programs and activities. Chairman Dick Kelsay suggested renting a portable sign. Mary Hourigan will get information about the electronic sign at the Foxboro COA, although the wisdom of securing such a sign, if we are going to move was questioned. New Business: No new business. Adjournment: Norma Smith offered a motion to adjourn. Lynda Christiansen seconded the motion. The vote to adjourn was unanimous. VOTE SUMMARY 2018-81 A vote to accept the Minutes to the Board Meeting of January 16, 2019, as presented. Motion— Norma Smith; Second— Joan Hoey; Vote-7 affirmatives, 0 negative. Voting affirmative were Mary Hourigan, Joan Hoey, Dick Kelsay, Norma Smith, Paula Topjian, Lynda Christiansen, and Tom Keogh 2018-82 A vote to accept the Estimated Budget Status to Date, and December 2018 Warrants, as presented. Motion— Lynda Christiansen; Second - Norma Smith; Vote-7 affirmatives, 0 negative. Voting affirmative were Mary Hourigan, Joan Hoey, Dick Kelsay, Norma Smith, Paula Topjian, Lynda Christiansen, and Tom Keogh 2018-83 With all business being completed, a vote to adjourn the meeting at 5:00 PM. Motion— Norma Smith; Second— Lynda Christiansen; Vote-7 affirmatives, 0 negative. Voting affirmative were Mary Hourigan, Joan Hoey, Dick Kelsay, Norma Smith, Paula Topjian, Lynda Christiansen, and Tom Keogh AmassAudubon NAizsv�i�IvfAa'3¢C/uasetLT Mansfield Center on Aging 2019 Program Proposal Proposed by: Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary Section I: Overview The Mansfield Center on Aging (COA) is looking for Mass Audubon to deliver a series of educational workshops that will help educate clientele on local topics of natural history, science, and community actions. Mass Audubon was founded in 1896 and over the years has become a leader in conservation education. It's part of Mass Audubon's values to provide professional educators who are team players, credible, and passionate about creating environmental education curriculum. Our resources and expertise can help deliver the Mansfield COA's educational goals. The goal is to; create a workshop series, for six — eight weeks in the Spring or Summer of 2019, which will enrich COA clientele with natural history information through a variety of methods including; power point presentations, outdoor hikes and exploration, live animal encounters, "biofact" exploration (i.e. skulls & pelts), and hands on activities. In addition to the natural history topics and descriptions listed below, the following topics are programs that we offer to adult based audiences: • Owls of Massachusetts • Introduction to Wetlands • Moon Science and Nocturnal Biology • Bats • Carboniferous Period and Fossils • Firefly Section II: Workshop Descriptions Workshop 1- Blanding's Turtle Head Start Program (Live Animals —Turtles) Start by learning the basics of turtle biology and anatomy. Discover the difference between a tortoise, terrapin, and sea turtle. Review the local species who call Massachusetts their home. In particular, learn about the threatened Blanding's Turtle and how Oak Knoll is partnering with US Fish & Wildlife to protect them. During this presentation staff will bring live Blanding's Turtles to meet. AmassAudubon pmtec*r v-MA& D l�taassae rreseits Workshop 2 — Bird Walk (Outdoors) We will start In the center for a quick look at wild bird biofacts (feathers and skulls). Next we will prepare for a short hike by reviewing binocular use and birding tips (Oak Knoll staff will bring 10 binoculars for folks to share —feel free to bring personal binoculars from home), We will start our hike by going out to the parking lot, making our way around the wetland habitat, and ending through the forested trail leading back to the center. This is an easy hike along flat surface. Workshop 3 — Climate in the Arctic and at Home Meet with Educator Chris Hitchener to learn about his work in the far north with wild polar bears. How is climate change impacting their populations? What changes are we seeing in the Arctic habitat? Next we will discuss what Mass Audubon is seeing regarding local wildlife and habitats. Learn about changing bird populations and what we are doing to help them. Workshop 4— Ponding & Macro -Invertebrate Day— (indoor & Outdoors) Explore the beautiful wetland habitat just along the parking lot and wooded trail. Our Mass Audubon naturalist will gather specimens of plants and animals for the group to explore. Use magnifiers and viewers to get a close up look at aquatic invertebrates and discover how biologists study them to determine the health of our communities. If you are feeling up to it grab a net and try collecting some specimens for yourself! Everything we collect will be returned to the wetland at the end of class. Workshop 5 — Native & Invasive Plant Walk (Outdoors) Back by popular demand, from the fall 2017 series, join us as we review and explore local native and invasive plant species. To keep it fresh and engaging, this time we will be outside hiking around the center to see what we can identifyl Come prepared with questions regarding invasive species you may have at your home, and learn what we can all do to minimize their Impact. Workshop 6 — Frogs, Toads, and Salamanders (Live Animals —Tadpoles) Start by learning the basics of amphibian biology and why it's special. Discover the difference between a frog, toad, and salamander. Review the local species who call Massachusetts their home and learn the calls for each frog and toadl During this presentation staff will bring live tadpoles to meet. AMaSsAudubon ProEe i%N�u^aofMti�.ssat./ucsetis Section III: Budget Break -down Expense Description Unit Expense Total Expense 6 Programs 1 hour each program $100/hour $600 If you would like to add more sessions the price would go up by each unit price (i.e. if you like an 8 week series the price would be $800 total). Kevin V. Symmons Senior Center Write Off Tour Local best-selling author Kevin V. Symmons is interested in inspiring seniors and people of all ages to write their stories and enjoy the art of writing. Along with conducting his 2nd Annual Write Off Competition, Kevin is visiting senior centers across the state in an effort to encourage them to continue to write. He would like to include your senior center as part of his tour to encourage aspiring authors and discuss his career and published work. He will speak about topics of interest, including how he transitioned from plumbing executive to full time author, as well as accepting submissions from attendees who would like to participate in his literary challenge. During Kevin's visit to your facility he will meet & greet guests and share his experience being a best- selling Amazon author. His published works includes, RITE OF PASSAGE, OUT OF THE STORM, SOLO, and CHRYSALIS. All of Kevin's novels were published by Wild Rose Press. This award -winning publishing house has agreed to provide the grand prize of the Write Off, a one on one meeting with top publishing executives at Wild Rose Press and a few publishing tips for the winner of his competition. Aspiring authors of all ages are encouraged to attend his speaking engagement and those interested in the competition should provide Kevin with a three- page sampling of their work. Kevin will review the submissions he collects over his six -month tour and select a few to submit to his publishing house. Kevin is hoping to inspire writers of all ages to tell their stories and forthose serious writers to continue their journey in getting published. If your facility is interested in learning more about this tour, please contact Kevin at www.kevinsymmons.com or his publicist Jeanie Flynn at (617) 869-5482. The tour will conclude on September 1, 2019. Kevin Symmons served four terms as President of the Cape Cod Writers Center and has taught Creative Writing and Writing Your First Novel at three Massasoit Community College campuses. Two of his novels have been chosen as Amazon's Encore Program selections and been frequent Amazon #1 best- sellers. pl