The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1989-09-12-COA-min.pdf COUNCIL ON AGING BOARD MEETING MINUTES September 12, 1989 Present Dorothy Boggia, John Curry, Barbara Rubin, Edmund Grant, Kevin Grimes, Harriet Onello, Jack Eddison (Selectman Liaison) Absent Terrence Gent, Connie Foster, Ruth Butler - Staff Present Linda Vine, Executive Director Also Present; Esther Carlson, Interim Secretary; Hara Tapanidou, Student Intern; Beth Klarman, Visitor The meeting was called to order at 4;40 p.m. by Chairperson Dorothy Boggia. Dorothy Boggia briefly summarized various committee meetings held during the summer, with particular reference to a meeting with the Town's Human Services Committee. In this connection, it was noted that a liaison from that Committee to attend C.O.A. Board meetings was to be appointed, but that such a liaison is not present today Dorothy also announced that George Doughty and Louis Tropeano have resigned as Board members It was voted that the minutes of the meeting of June 13, 1989, be approved as submitted. John Curry presented the Treasurer's Report for the fiscal year 1988-89 (copies previously furnished the members). He spoke to the various categories of expense, pointing out items which were high or low in various quarterly periods but which pretty much balanced off at the end of the year in relation to appropriations Results the amount of $221.11 was returned to the Town at the end of the fiscal year. He then recommended review of the various Grant Funds, which are gradually being depleted over a period of years, and called attention to a few particular expenditures He raised the question as to whether the Social Day Care program should be Senior Center ex- penditures, and also questioned how this and some other costs should be handled -- possibly through outside fund raising? Linda Vine pointed out that the $11,283 under DEA (New) Funds had been cut by approximately 100, and that this amount will have to be found elsewhere The Treasurer proposed discussion at some future meeting of the various problems before the money runs out entirely The members were in agreement. The Meals on Wheels Program was next discussed, particularly the question of pricing. At the $4.40 present cost per day, the program is not breaking even because a number of individuals are not able to pay. The recommendation of the Board's Executive Committee is that the price be increased to $5.00 per day, in order to break even. Jack Eddison questioned whether we would lose people if the cost is increased. Linda felt that this would not happen. After more discussion, Dorothy Boggia moved that the cost of Meals on Wheels be raised from $4.40 to $5.00 per day, effective as of October 16, 1989 (which allows for a month's notice to be given). Harriet Onello then moved that the motion be amended to also stipulate that despite the increase, there will continue to be a policy of a "sliding scale" or scholarship assistance pro- vision regarding any participants in actual need who cannot pay. Seconded by John Curry Amended motion carried, Dorothy Boggia noted that an Ad Hoc Scholarship Committee is being formed in conjunction with the Friends of the C.O.A. to assist in providing services to people who cannot pay the full costs of various programs. Peter Kelley, Vice President of -2- the Friends, will be their representative, and Harriet Onello has expressed an interest in representing the C.O.A. Board to serve with him. Dorothy also reported that hopefully Beth Kiernan, if appointed to the C.O.A. Board, will then be assigned as a member of the Senior Health Monitor Subcommittee, replacing Barbara Rubin, who is unable to continue in that capacity because her work office is moving to Lowell The Reports of the Executive Director were received. Before proceeding with these reports, Linda introduced Hare Tapanidou, the Student Intern from Cornell, who will be assisting her with the Intergenerational Program and also the development of a wellness program. She will be here until December 4th. The following reports were then presented by Linda (copies previously furnished) Meals on Wheels Statistics for June, July, and August, and Financial Review of the Program for Fiscal Year 1988-89 Library Report for June and July Update on Home Care Issues - Minuteman Home Care (funding cuts) Minutes of C O.A. Board Executive Committee Meeting of August 21, 1989, including. Transportation Analysis of Social Day Care Program Role of the Town's Human Services Committee in Relation to the C.O.A , particularly regarding a liaison from the Human Services Committee to the C.O.A. Board With regard to the last item, it was emphasized that the Town had agreed to the ap- pointment of such a liaison (as noted earlier in this meeting); the hope is that this will be finalized by October The Board members were much pleased over this decision, and expressed the hope that this will help clear up some of the confusion which exists presently between the C.O.A and the Town, particularly regarding budget structures Linda announced several dates on which various programs of interest will take place at the Center; she also reported that new health programs, as well as the Adult Education senior classes, are starting Further, the Friends of the C.O.A are hope- fully going to purchase a new Xerox machine for the Center. The matter of Food Stamps was then brought up. John Curry reported that the Lexington Savings Bank will no longer handle this program in the town, and that there is a problem in getting someone else to do it. He has approached other banks with no success -- one part of the problem seems to be the low number of participants (only 28 people receiving this assistance at present) Discussion took place as to possible alternative ways to handle the matter No conclusions reached. Barbara Rubin reported regarding the Senior Health Monitor Subcommittee (report sent out August 1, 1989) The Subcommittee is moving ahead; it is now in the process of developing a request for a proposal to be sent out to the two top finalists who are bidding with regard to providing in-home nursing service. Kevin Grimes reported on a meeting of the Wellness Committee held during the summer They have developed some sense of philosophy and goals, and are currently working on a proposal. (Steve Baran, the Town's Human Services Coordinator, met with them on August 22nd.) He read the philosophy statement which had been developed; the next step was to be a meeting with the Board of Health, in which connection Ruth Butler was working on a proposal, both short term and long term. He presented a proposed draft, and asked the members to submit any thoughts on this to either Linda or Ruth. -3- The matter of candidates to serve as community representatives to Minuteman Home Care was considered; this organization has restructured its Board and now wants two people from each member community The credentials of four interested candi- dates, along with Ruth Butler, who is currently a representative, were available and were discussed. It was pointed out that Ruth would like to continue, at least for another year (the terms are for 3 years) Linda was asked for-her recommendations, and she reviewed the four other candidates. After some further discussion, Dorothy Boggia moved that Ruth Butler and Suzanne Hill be appointed to serve as community representatives to the Minuteman Home Case Board for a three-year term. Seconded by Harriet Onello. Motion carried. (Notes It was the feeling of the members that the election should be for the full term -- then if Ruth wishes to resign after one year, she can be replaced at that time ) No further business Meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, a-t� E Cid Esther E. Carlson, Interim Secretary