HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA 03/13/2019Mansfield Council on Aging
Board of Directors
Minutes to the Meeting
March 13, 2019
RECEIVED
TO'N R CLERKS OFFICE
10I9 JUN -5 A 11; 21
nIEWPresent: Mary Hourigan, Joan Hoey, Dick Kelsay, Norma Smith,P� P
Keogh and Josephine Madrazo. Excused: Lynda Christiansen
Guests: Nancy Graf, Eileen Berenson
Call to Order: Board Chairman Richard Kelsay opened the meeting at 3:30 p.m.
Minutes of the Board Meeting of February 13, 2019: The Board examined the
Minutes of the Board Meeting of February 13, 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 and Warrants: Treasurer Tom Keogh reported the
gift account balance of $29,370.16. The report was unanimously accepted on a motion
from Paula Topjian, seconded by Joan Hoey.
Correspondence: Thank you note.
Assistant Director's Report: Josephine reported that she recently attended a meeting of
the Town Department Heads. A new user-friendly software system called MUNIS will
soon be installed. Departments are expected to experience a period of adjustment as the
new system is implemented.
Mansfield Town government and our Town Manager have been chosen by Business
View to be interviewed for research on best practices in town governance.
The Town of Mansfield has a new website, which links all town departments.
September 25 is the date for a Welcome to Mansfield open house. The COA and the
Library will showcase programs and community outreach.
April 4 will begin the redesigning of the COA space, which will include a new reception
area and a new layout for the counselors.
A motion was made by Norma Smith and seconded by Paula Topjian to repeat the
program offered by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, which was very popular. The
motion includes $600.00, to come from the gift account.
It was agreed that we schedule a free Writers Workshop by Kevin Symmons, where
interested participants would be encouraged to write and to tell their life stories.
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Old Business: Dick Kelsay suggested we look into renting an outdoor sign to advertise
the September Open House, costing $190.00 for the first month. Both Tom Keogh and
Paula Topjian suggested we try it to see if having a sign produces additional participation
in our programs. We will work with the town on this, being sure that the Select Board
approves. No motion was made at this time.
Dick Kelsay introduced a booklet given to him by Neil Rhein on the COA programs in
Berkshire County.
A discussion was held on the recruitment, advertising, and programming for our Memory
Cafe. Many different suggestions were made regarding all three of these subjects. It was
decided that Joan Hoey would draft a letter to area churches, letting them know that our
cafe is available for people with memory deficits and their caregivers.
New Business: A motion was made by Joan Hoey and seconded by Norma Smith to
fund three baskets for Triad Basket Bingo at a cost of $100.00. The motion passed by a
unanimous vote of the board.
Dick Kelsay reported that the Town is conducting a feasibility study looking into the
future use and renovation of the former Town Hall, now Police station, at 50 West Street.
It has been proposed to relocate both the COA and the Recreation Department there. The
COA has been asked to submit a wish list requesting ideas for future space and
programming needs.
The board discussed programming ideas at the COA and agreed that any programming
involving a product should be clearly defined and options offered.
Paula Topjian asked if we are seeking to attract more men to our programs. If so, we
should consider programs that involve Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High
School and programs that include computer use, woodworking, cooking, etc.
A motion was made by Norma Smith and seconded by Joan Hoey to spend a total of
$350.00 from the gift account for a raffle basket ($50.00) and give-away tokens
($300.00) to be used at the Senior Spectacular on April 18, organized by Representative
Betty Poirier. The motion passed by a unanimous vote of the board.
Adjournment: Norma Smith offered a motion to adjourn. Paula Topjian seconded the
motion. The vote to adjourn was unanimous.
2019-84 A vote to accept the Minutes to the Board Meeting February 13, 2019, as
presented. Motion— Norma Smith; Second— Joan Hoey; Vote-6
affirmatives, 0 negative. Voting affirmative were Mary Hourigan, Joan
Hoey, Dick Kelsay, Norma Smith, Paula Topjian, Lynda Christiansen, and
Tom Keogh
2019-85 A vote to accept the Estimated Budget Status to Date, and February and
March 19 Warrants, as presented. Motion— Lynda Christiansen; Second
-Norma Smith; Vote-6 affirmatives, 0 negative. Voting affirmative were
Mary Hourigan, Joan Hoey, Dick Kelsay, Norma Smith, Paula Topjian,
Lynda Christiansen, and Tom Keogh
2019-86 A vote was accepted fund the Massachusetts Audubon Society program in
the amount of $600.00 from the Gift Account. Motion- Norma Smith and
seconded by Paula Topjian Vote-6 affirmatives, 0 negative. Voting
affirmative were Mary Hourigan, Joan Hoey, Dick Kelsay, Norma
Smith, Paula Topjian, Lynda Christiansen, and Tom Keogh
2019-87 A vote was accepted fund to spend a total of $350.00 from the gift account
for a raffle basket and give-away items to be used at the Senior Spectacular.
Motion- Norma Smith and seconded by Joan Vote-6 affirmatives, 0
negative. Voting affirmative were Mary Hourigan, Joan Hoey, Dick
Kelsay, Norma Smith, Paula Topjian, Lynda Christiansen, and Tom
Keogh
2019-88 With all business being completed, a vote to adjourn the meeting at 5:00
PM. Motion— Norma Smith; Second— Lynda Christiansen; Vote-6
affirmatives, 0 negative. Voting affirmative were Mary Hourigan, Joan
Hoey, Dick Kelsay, Norma Smith, Paula Topjian, Lynda Christiansen, and
Tom Keogh