HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-11-10-COA-minMinutes
Council on Aging
November 10, 2005
Attending Marian Cohen, Chairperson
Guest: Shirley Buck
Bob Edwards
Don Graham
Paul Lapointe
Leo McSweeney
Guest: Marilyn Stone
Jane Trudeau
Richard Pagett, Selectman
Lauren MacNeil, Director of Social Services
The minutes of the October 18, 2005 meeting were accepted.
FCOA Nominating Committee
Leo McSweeney and Bob Edwards reported that they are having difficulty finding a
new Treasurer. It has been suggested that an accountant be hired to fill the position since
there are tax filings that are required of a charitable organization. The Committee still
hopes to find a volunteer.
Senior Center Action Plan Committee
Marian reported that the committee has listed all possible sites which include: Lowell
Street and Worthen Road both of which have wetland issues; Clarke Street which would
be expensive because it needs to be purchased and renovated; Waldorf School which has
17 years to go on its lease with the Town; Meriam Street parking lot which would need
underground parking and has an active neighborhood group that could object to a large
building on the site; Harrington School which will not be free for 12 years; Munroe
School which has possibilities; and the Muzzey playing field.
Sandra Shaw and the Recreation Department Director attended the SCAPC meeting
and said that Munroe School was the least objectionable of the sites, The Muzzey Playing
Field is used 700- permitting -hours per year for practice for younger teams. In
comparison, Lincoln field is used 5000- permitting hours. We would need to find an
alternative site to replace the Muzzey Playing Field. Leo suggested Laconia Street and
the vacant field near the ball field at the High School. Paul Lapointe suggested the front
of 201 Bedford Street, the DPW site.
Richard Pagett suggested that we do a traffic study of the present Senior Center site
to determine how many parking spaces are needed.
Director's Report
Lauren reported that the Social Services Department had responded to the gas
problem. in Town by calling to check on all the Seniors in the Senior Health Care
Monitor, Adult Day and Telecare programs. Lauren had accompanied Keyspanto one
elderly woman's house to reassure the nearly 100 - year -old woman that the workmen
needed access to her house. The woman has gone to Pine Knoll Nursing Home for the
duration of the emergency. Lauren also contacted her sons who live out of state.
Space Requirements
The Committee reviewed a space requirements report done by Paul Lapointe, Marian
Cohen and Lauren MacNeil. The Committee voted to accept the report with two changes.
The changes are in the Fitness and Exercise area with a storage closet and an additional
room for exercise equipment being added.
The Committee discussed the location of the Adult Day Program. Lauren reported
that Carolyn Griffith, the Program
Ddirector was enthusiastic about using the present Senior Center site. She projected a
maximum capacity of 40 participants in the larger space compared to the present 30-
person maximum.
The report will be given to the SCAPC at their next meeting.
The next COA meeting will be on December 13, 2005 at 3:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
ane A Trudeau, Secretary