HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-02-11-COA-min.pdf LEXINGTON COUNCIL ON AGING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 11, 1998
ATTENDING Clark Cowen, Chairperson
Phyllis Rand
Nancy Freed, Staff
Jacqueline Davison
Peg Jemison
Sheldon Spector
Caro/ Murphy
Roz Gittleman, Human Services Liaison
John Curry
Dan Fenn, Board of Slectmen Liaison
Barbara Rubin
Jane Trudeau
ABSENT Gene Isotti
Anne Kriebel
CHAIRPERSON'S REMARKS. Clark Cowen called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and noted
with regret that John Curry is leaving the Board at the end of June due to personal reasons. Clark
expressed the Board's appreciation of John's ten years of dedicated service as the COA treasurer
FINANCIAL REPORT John distributed printouts of the following budgets and reviewed the details
of them. They are semi-annual reports—July '98 thru Dec. '98.
MEALS ON WHEELS: There was a deficit of$1290 as of December; however, additional
receipts plus an advance on the FCOA scholarship and the partial salary grant from Minuteman
Home Care have offset this amount. John indicated that the program has almost reached a break
even point but continues to warrant close monitoring. Nancy reported that the daily number of
clients is now about 32 and that efforts are continuing to publicize the program.
SOCIAL DAY CARE. This program is doing well; attendance is up significantly There are
still some openings; every day is not filled to capacity, which is 30.
GENERAL FUND-ADMINISTRATION: This section is satisfactory; less than half of the
budgeted amount has been spent.
GENERAL FUND-SUPPORT SERVICES: John explained that the IRS requires the people
on the Tax Write-Off Program be listed as paid employees. Therefore, they have been moved from
a contractual basis to personnel basis. The balance of this budget is fine.
GENERAL FUND-NUTRITION AND RECREATION: Both are OK.
GENERAL FUND-COA ADULT DAY CARE PROGRAM: This budget, which had been
conservatively planned, is also doing well. The estimates for operating expenses appear to be OK.
A suggestion was made that an automatic thermostat be installed at the Day Care House to monitor
the use of heat more efficiently
MINUTES: The minutes of the January 14 meeting were accepted with the following correction. On
page 2 under Other New Business, the second half of the second sentence should read "and they
are considering getting legal advice"
EDUCATION COMMITTEE UPDATES: Barbara Rubin congratulated everyone on the outstanding
success of the Post Grad For A Day Program. The next program will be held on Friday, March 20
to celebrate National Women's History Month. Barbara and Anne Novak have been working on
this event, "Women: A Celebration of Our Past, Present, and Future" Dr Ruth Jacobs and Selma
Williams will speak in the morning. Following lunch, there will be a panel presentation on Women
in Literature, Music, and Sports. Phyllis Gleason, Eunice Alberts Nicholson, and Mary Pratt will
participate on this panel.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
BOARD COMMITTEES: Jane Trudeau had asked Nancy how the Board could help her and
the staff Nancy discussed this with the staff, and ideas for several committees within the Board
were suggested. Clark suggested a Visiting Committee, whose members would attend the various
programs offered, observe, and report back to the Board. Jackie Davison suggested a Long Range
Planning Committee to assess needs and plan for a new Senior Center The ideas from Nancy and
the staff are for an Intergenerational Committee to help Chris Gelling make connections and plan
programs; a committee to help with the Senior Health Monitor Program; and a committee to help
Caroline Griffith get volunteers for programs for the Adult Day Group. Carol Murphy, who is working
with the Senior Volunteer Corps, suggested the use of this group to fill that need. It was decided
that a list of the suggested committees be mailed to the Board Members before the next meeting,
when the discussion can be continued. Jane Trudeau volunteered to work on this project.
SENIOR HEALTH MONITOR PROGRAM: Nancy reported, on behalf of Karen Santucci,
that a request for additional funds for this program on the FY'98 budget could not be made. Plans
have been made to accommodate the current clients. Intake has been closed, visits have been
triaged, and an increase in co-payments has been requested. There is an on going discussion of
the feasibility of the COA running the program rather than using an outside provider
SPACE/BRIDGE GROUP ISSUE: Nancy and Clark have received letters from a group of
bridge players who are unhappy about the room assignments made to them. A schedule has been
made to accommodate their needs when they have to be moved from their usual room.
There was no other business, and the meeting was adjourned at 6.15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Phyllis Rand, secretary