HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-11-04-COA-min.pdf Tot9 c9 Lasycstop Minutes of the Council on Aging
Council on Agin Meeting on Tuesday, November 4, 1980
Box 636
Lexington, Mass. 02173
Present Ch . J. Rooney, V. Ch. R. Weinstein, J. Clark, S. Clark, A. Green,
S. Goodwin, G. Harris, B. Luckmann, B. Rubin, L. Tropeano
Staff J. Melcher, E. Morehouse
Special volunteers W. Benway, Treasurer
M. McDonald, Ch. Friends of the CoA
The meeting was called to order by Ch. Rooney at 5 01pm
A correction was cited in the minutes for the previous meeting. W. Sen
was present at that meeting.
MOTION. Moved, seconded, and passed unanimously to accept the minutes
wit hhtthe correction as noted.
Treasurer' s report Benway went through the report with the Council. The
CoA budget is on track at this time. The proposed budget for FY82 was
discussed. Explanations of the increased requests for certain line items
as submitted to the town were given. The increase in Program Developmeint,
is to pay for the proposed nutrition site expenses beyond those picked
up by any federal reimbursement. Clarification of the rent increase for
office space should show that the increase includes picking up that amount
which the Trustees for Public Trusts is paying this FY81 . An explanatory
letter will be appended to our budget proposal to the town. It was pointed
out that staff salaries are now handled through the Personnel Board and
thereforlhat figure does not appear in our budget proposal. Harris re-
marked that the CoA Board will monitor the Personnel Board ' s decisions re
staff salaries. A suggestion was made that it 3t would be possible to use
the Meals on Wheels reserve fund to pick up some budget deficiencies should
the need arise.
The Council was informed that George Wadsworth is now the Chairman
of the Appropriations Committee,
MOTION. Moved, seconded, and passed unanimously to accept the Treasurer' s
report as read.
Staff report Coordinator Melcher reported that 197 seniors took advantage
of trips in the month of October.
The office had 507 visitors during the month of October. A breakdown
of their reasons for coming will be tallied from now on.
The mini-bus had only two riders in each of the past three weeks .
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(2) Minutes for the Council on Aging ( cont)
November 4, 1980
We will put a notice in the upcoming Newsletter to tell citizens that there
is a strong probability that the service will have to be discontinued after
( December 31st due to lack of ridership
The Annual Report is due November 14th. Weinstein and Melcher are
working on it.
Harris reported that at this time there was no office equipment
available from Arthur D. Little. We are high on the prioity list should
equipment become available to th, public,
Dick Perry at the Comptroller's office has told us that he will try
and obtain an office desk for our expanded office space.
Nutrition Site Report Weinstein reported that the committee, composed of
J. Clark, W. Sen, and himself, has worked on the logistics of starting the
nutrition site and that the December 1st opening date is on target. The
following is a breakdown of estimated costs
41 .65 food costs
.15 cost of throwaway items. i.e. napkins, cups, etc.
$1 .8 total cost per meal
.35 expected Federal reimbursement for commodities
1 .00 Consumer's cost
•45 amount which CoA will pick up.
J. Clark and G. Harris will seek avenues for grant proposals for
funding the nutrition site.
Sen and Weinstein are authorized to write the proposal to be submitted
to MinuteMan Homecare Corp. requesting a nutrition site for Lexington.
( Weinstein, with Rooney and Melchor, will meet with Town Manager, Hutch-
inson, on Thursday November 6th at 9 OOam to discuss the nutrition site
proposal.
The logistics of the time element for announcing the establishment of
a nutrition site, the date for starting, the need for and training of
seven volunteers per meal, and the policy should severe weather fall on a
meal day were discussed. Announcement will be made in the December Newsletter.
December 4th is the target day for the first meal. Coordinator Melcher will
try and get volunteers. J. Clark will help in the initial training of the
volunteers . Cost of the site will be $30 per day to the Church of Our
Redeemer starting January 1981 . Cancellation policy must be worked out with
the caterer.
MOTION. Moved, seconded, and passed ua.. nimously that Weinstein will submit
an article for the Newsletter by November 11th.
Special reports Goodwin reported that the MMHC deficiency budget has gone
through. However, because the agency is working on such a tight buuget
there is no room for growth and there is a strong possibility that they will
have to close any new intake. He also spoke to the issue about the need
for new quarters for MMHC. There is a possibility that the private school
which is now renting space will buy the buildings. MMMC is still hopeful
that space might be available for rental in the as yet unassigned Munroe
School. The information which was gathered by the senior survey is now
being collated. Goodwin will go with Weinstein to approach Town Manager
Hutchinson re use of Munroe School building.
(3) Minutes for the Council on Aging (cont)
November 4, 1980
( Harris and S. Clark offered to help with tax problems of the seniors.
Luckmann reported that the memorial clock for John Carlson, former
CoA treasurer, has been purchased. Donations towards its cost were
received from Council members . There will be a dedication at the Christmas
Open House on December 17th to which the Carlson family will be invited.
J. Clark questioned the Staff re the meetings held in Metropolitan
Boston which are concerned with issues of the elderly. Staff members are
unable to attend a great many worthwhile meetings due to time constrictions.
It is hoped that there will be times when Council members might attend some
valuable and informative meetings which the staff cannot fit in.
The SCEOC has notified the CoA ( informally) that intake for fuel
assistance will start on November 14th. No formal notification has been
forthcoming. The CoA receives many calls daily from anxious citizens. The
CoA has been told that MMHC will help with home visit applications should
frail citizens be unable to come to the office in person.
The Lexington Assistance Fund is running out of money. Soliciting
letters are being sent to town churches, Temples, and agencies to build
up the reserves again. Father Colletti is the Secretary for the Ministers '
Group and will be able to give us names of the ministers in town.
The CoA Board had its picture taken to be included in the Annual Report.
Ch. Rooney spoke warmly in his appreciation to Council members for
their time and efforts in behalf of the Council on Aging. He announced
that there would be a Christmas party in his home some time in December to
which the Council would be invited.
There was no further business .
The meeting was adjourned at 6 20pm
The next meeting of the Council on Aging is Tuesday, December 9, 1980
at 5 OOpm
Sig d VM2ee
Elise V. Morehouse
Secretary, pro tem