HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-03-10-COA-min.pdf �
�
COUNCIL ON AGING BOARD MEETING - MARCH 10 , 1992
Present : Kevin Grimes , Harriet Onello, Barbara Rubin, Jim Fenske, Monica
Chang, Muriel Taylor, Jack Eddison (Selectmen liaison) , Laurie
Gleason & Linda Vine (staff) .
Meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Kevin Grimes at 4 : 32 .
Minutes were read, moved and approved by a voice vote.
Treasurer ' s Repart - Jim Fenske
Financial reports will be made quarterly.
General report , Jim commented that expenses follow pattern of
previous years .
Jack Eddison raised the issue of an emergency fund for elders as the
Town' s Human Service emergency fund applies only to people under 60
years of age.
Linda responded that Peg Jemison will meet with the Friends of the
( Council on Aging to possibly set up such a fund.
Discussion followed as to rather this item should be placed on the
agenda for the next board meeting .
The Selectmen's meeting for budget update is scheduled for March 13th
and the COA needs a representative to attend .
Board ' s position on an emergency fund : unsure if it should be a Town
fund or a separate fund. Linda will discuss the options with the
Town Manager, FCOA and the Human Service Committee and see that this
matter is placed on the agenda for the April board meeting.
Meals On Wheels - Laurie Gleason
The program is running well . Factors infiuencing the program since
10/90 include :
a . price increase
b . Vendor take over (Marriot) no price increase
c . 6 months into the program-clientele has a high turnover and
numbers went down
d , most recently, numbers have increased
e . due to the high turnover , the number of clients does not
reflect the number of ineals
1
�,
� �� ,
Soard inquired why new people weren ' t caming on. Lau�i� ����ond��
that new clients are frailer than original clients creating frequent
stops and starts of service, and the inability of the program to
accommodate "partial week schedules" . �i
The board congratulated Laurie for her effort in managing the M. 0. W. �
program.
Jim F , inquired about an optimal number of clients . Laurie responded
that the program needs to serve 839 meals to break even, but
historically, the monthly high number has been 715 . , The resuit is a
running loss now exceeding $4 , 000 .
Possible options discussed include;
a . approach the Friends of the COA to subsidize the program
b . use grant money of 56700
c . incorporated a & b to support M.O.W . for one more year
Ultimately the meal price and/or number must increase to raise the
income ,
� In terms of markeking the program, a price increase is self-defeating.
Other food services are much more costly .
Jim F, stated that a 5 . 50 increase per meal would create a break even
rate . {
�
The price history is as follows : j
our cost since 1991 - $4 . 00
clients cost since 11/90 - 55 . 00
Kevin asked if the board should vote on a price increase.
Linda requested two safety nets for next year.
Barbara R. raised the question of the use of grant funds - what
priorities need to be applied, and should it be applied to other
programs as well .
Laurie urged that before raising the -price, we seek assistance from
the Friends for $2700 , (as this number has been the historical amount
of subsidy required) .
2
i
��_,'
��' ,
Jack Eddison spoke on the Town budget and action taken on the COA
proposal , explaining the background of the $44,000 cut :
-Meeting of 3/9/92 - Selectmen reviewed COA budget cuts
-response to challenge the Town Manager from one Selectman
-no support for 544 , 000 Cut
It was suggested that discussion of price increases be postponed but
that the board vote now on using option a. and/or b. as previously
described .
Barbara R . suggested setting a policy to review the funding issue
within a specific time .
It was moved that the board to take the following three (3) steps :
1 , transfer sta e gran money
2 . approach the��i.ends�f the COA for assistance
3 . consider a price policy no later than the end of this fiscal
year ( 6/92 )
� The motion was passed without oppositian .
Senior Health Monitor Program -
Expenses seem to be the same as budgeted . No formal report .
Director ' s Report -
No report this month, Linda is working only this week in the absence
of the acting director .
Meeting adjourned at 5s50 p .m.
3
��