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Home My WebLink About1991-10-08-COA-min.pdf COUNCIL ON AGING BOARD MEETING - OCTOBER 8 , 1991 Present Dorothy Boggis , Harriet Onello Barbara Rubin Jim Fenske Ed Grant , Monica Chang Beth Klarman Kevin Grimes Jack Eddison ( Selectmen liaison) , Linda Crew Vine ( staff ) Meeting was called to order at 4 40 p m Remarks Dorothy Boggia -Dorothy announced that Jim Fenske will represent the COA at the Selectmen ' s Breakfast Meeting for budget discussion on 10/25/91 -Minutes were reviewed , a spelling correction was made on page 1 and the minutes were accepted as corrected Treasurer ' s Report - Jim Penske -Quarterly reports were distributed projections for the quarter were under budget at this time -Jurisdictional accounts no appropriation this year , the only encumbered funds are for in-state travel -Special accounts no Social Day Care balance from last year is entered because there still remains a $500 differential between COA and Town figures -The federal grant for transportation was reduced by $1270 in August -Meals on Wheels Coa Balance differs by $3000+ explained in part by Towns year end payments not yet reflected in reports M 0 W is currently falling short approximately $250 per month because of a drop in the number of meals and increased expenses The decrease in client numbers results from clients entering nursing homes and clients who feel they cannot afford the meals Even with the $250 loss the program can remain solvent through this year L -Linda commented on other factors related to the M 0 W clients most clients now require special diets/not regular some clients feel there is too much food in the 2 meals/day plan many clients are using frozen meals in place of M 0 W raising the price would cause a greater decline in clients a shift in pattern is occurring where former long term clients are now short term clients , many in transition -Beth Klarman inquired about asking F C 0 A to subsidize the M 0 W program -Linda commented that nutrition statistics are down for both congregate meals and M 0 W Motion was made and seconded to accept the ttea urer ' s report Jim Fenske FY 93 Budget Proposals (COA re ponse time - 10/22 /91 ) -Town guidelines no increase in staff 2 budgets required one with a 2% decrease in operating co is one with a 20% overall decrease -Jim worked three projections (one ideal budget and the to required by the Town ) and asked the board to di cuss recommended adjustments -Other efforts to reduce costs include electric - new lights newsletter bid annually office supplies might be reduced -Discussion Barbara Rubin inquired when can F C 0 A help Pd Grant responded that F C 0 A must help Kevin Grimes expressed concern about antagonizing the Senior Citizen ' s Club Jim Fenske expressed difficulty askiu one club to request help from the F C 0 A when the club members pay dues (ie F C 0 A could more appropriately help fund the Chorus ) -Jim Fenske suggested the exercise of comparing 1991 expenses This prompted extensive discussion of which items might be cut L 9! -Focus remained on the Senior Citizen ' s Club and how to deal with pattern of continued reductions Should the subsidy continue as part of the COA budget ? -Linda suggested either full funding or cut the Club from the budget instead of continuing to reduce funding In addition build alliances with the COA on project and with the F C 0 A on fundraising -Barbara Rubin stated the F C 0 A should be approached to support the Chorus -It was moved to approach the F C 0 A to fund the Chorus at $1654 00 The motion was seconded and passed without opposition -Jim stated that making modest reductions and eliminating the Chorus expenditure would yield the required 2% budget cut -It was moved that as part of the efforts to meet budget cuts the COA must eliminate non-fee recreational services and cut the Senior Citizen ' s Club item from the budget The COA will meet with Club officers to discuss efforts for fundraising and program planning ( Director ' s Report - Linda Crew Vine -Linda will be taking a maternity leave in early January for four months Peg Jemison will be acting COA Director An intern is being sought for programming ; a job description was circulated -The federal transportation grant for the fiscal year has been cut by $2 , 000 ( 10/1/91 - 9/30/92) -The Well Elderly Clinics a new vendor Visiting Nur e of Cambridge will provide service through the Board of Health The new contract reflects cost savings to the Town -The Windowpane Shoppe is showing better profits for the F C 0 A this year -The International Dinner was discussed and board assignments were distributed The meeting adjourned at 6 15 p m r L