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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-12-09-COA-min.pdf r_ i e T°v tc-x9,56, Council on Aging Minutes of the Council on Aging Box 636 Meeting on Tuesday, December 9th Lexington, Masa. 02173 Present: Ch. J. Rooney, V. Ch. R. Weinstein, S. Clark, A. Green, S. Goodwin, G. Harris, W. Sen, L. Tropeano Staff: J. Melchor, E. Morehouse Special Volunteers: W. Ben*ay, Treasurer M. McDonald, Ch. Friends of the CoA Observers : Gail Colwell, CoA volunteer Stephen Doran, State Rep. Gladys Scanlon, Silver-Hair Legislator Marcia Williamson, INDEPENDENT reporter Absent: J. Clark, B. Luckmann, B. Rubin The meeting was celled to order by Ch. Rooney at 5;00 pm 1 Ch. Rooney introduced Stephen Doran as our newly elected State Representative. Doran spoke of his interest in the elderly. He has requested an assignment to the Department of Elderly Affairs and pledges to serve the elderly and work with the CoA. He referred to the problems lying ahead due to the implementation of Proposition 21 and does not expect help from the Legislature. Gladys Scanlon was introduced to the Board. At Coordinator's request she attended a MASCD meeting (Massachusetts Association of Senior Center Directors and Directors of Councils on Aging) . The focus of this meeting was entitled "Proposition 21. Picking up the Pieces." She also spoke of upcoming meetingsconcerned with the elderly which she plans to attend. Scanlon will be our liason for area meetings which the Coordinator is unable to attend due to time constrictions. MOTION Moved, seconded, and passed unanimously to accept the minutes as road. MOTION Moved seconded, and apssed unanimously to accept the treasurer's report as presented. Chairman's report: Rooney spoke about his meeting with the Town Manager Hutchinson re the impact on our CoA budget of Prop. 21. The CoA was assured that there will be no changes in our bucket ( _. through FY'81 . They also discussed the three budget oar" "��.\ IQ .��a Q\m _ S a tE,,, pia i I \ �N4Sj' (2) Minutes of the CoA (cont) December 9, 1980 proposals for FY'82 with projected cuts of 10%, 15%, and 20%. Some of the issues discussed were the possibilities of: 1 . Eliminating the position of Assistant Coordinator 2. Eliminate the Mini-bus 3. Eliminate the Elder Chorus 4. Re-examine the donation of the Lexington proportion to MMHCC. 5. Cut back on the number of issues of' the Newsletter 6. Finance some of the cost of the Newsletter by selling ads The impact of 21 will be felt immediately because the new auto excise tax is going into effect January 1st, 1981 Rooney and Melchor attended a meeting with MMHCC to again explore the possibility of using the Munroe School as a Senior Center. There are many options and possibilities in the future. i.e. If the School Administration were to move into the High School the Barnes Building at 1557 Mass. Ave. would be a possibility. Muzzey Junior High is another possibility with multiple tenants or housing possiblities. Coordinator's Report: Melchor reported on the implementation of the new Congregate Meals program on Thursdays. Fifty reservations were made for the initial meal. Forty-three actually turned out. The weather was bitterly cold and windy. There were many volunteer workers. Pilar Tiampo is the volunteer coordinator of the program. Sixty reservations will be taken for the second meal. The Board members and friends were reminded that there will be a Christmas party at the home of Ch. Rooney on Sunday the 14th of Dec. from 5 - 7 pm. The Friends of the CoA is the recipient of many generous donations from grateful clients in Lexington. A Federal Weatherization program is being initiated. We have no guidelines for this program at this time. The oil program is finally getting off to a delayed and unorganized start. An intake worker is supposed to come to this office on Tuesdays and Fridays of each week. The state of the Lexington l Assistance Fund is almost dry of available funds, yet we fear an increased demand for its services. Where will the money come from? Churches and Temples in the community have been approached but there has been little response. Ideas were explored with no firm conclusions drawn. Charity Beano? Bob Sacco to solicit businesses in Lexington? Approach the service and fraternal organization: in Lexington? Other business V. Ch. Weinstein spoke about the nutrition site (congregate meals) . The program has started. We are turning to MMHCC for financial support. There is a question whether there aro funds available. The CoA has written a proposal to MMHCC for grant money to help with: 1 . Rent for the weekly nutrition site. (3) Minutes of the CoA (cont) December 9, 1980 2. Pay for some of the office furniture for the new rooms. RESOLUTION: Moved, seconded and resolved that: The Lexington Council on Aging approves of an application to MMHCC for a congregate meals site to serve at least 50 persons. Goodwin spoke of MMHCC caamitments to other sites and the scarcity of funds. The MMHCC works with 75 employees and a 432,000,000 budget. We have four Board members on the MMHCC Board. These representatives are urged to keep the CoA apprised of any actions which closely affect the CoA. Weinstein reminded us that we get a 10-1 return on our MMHCC donation in terms of dollar services. Weinstein announced that due to personal time restrictions he must regretfully resign as a representative to the MMHCC. The Council should suggest a replacement. We should bring a name to the next meeting. A discussion followed about the cancellation of the Mini-bus service in Lexington. Ridership is down to a minimum and the cost is prohibitive to continue. It is hoped that Lexpress will help some of the users of the Mini-bus. The ultimate decision to cancel was reached with great regret. Weinstein was anxious that the Mini-bus line item in our budget did not disappear but that the budget allotment be transferred to Program Development. Sen suggested that Mini-bus riders be contacted by personal letter to be told of the cancellation decision. It is very important that volunteer assistant, Alver Anderson, be thanked for his loyal assistance on all the trips . The Board was reminded that there will be an Open House at the CoA on Wednesday the 17th of December. This is a Christmas party and a time for the dedication of the clock in John Carlson's memory. He bad been the CoA treasurer from 1977 to 1980. MOTION: Moved, seconded, and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 6:00 pm. The next regular meeting of the Council on Aging will be on January 13, 198/ at 5:00 pm in the offices of the Council in the CHurch of Our Redeemer. Signed 7t ( Cf / Elise V. Morehouse Secretary, pro tem