Help at H.O.M.E., February 17, 2015

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Help At Home

Meeting Minutes 

February 17, 2015 

4:00PM 

Starbard Building 

 

Meeting was called to order by Chairman Halley at 4:01 PM. 

 

In attendance:  Karen Halley, Brian Bullock, Faye Ellis, James Robinson and Susie Marsh.   Brian Bullock designated Temporary Secretary. 

 

Motion to accept the minutes of the September 11, 2015 Meeting.  Moved Marsh, Seconded Ellis – Voted Unanimous. 

 

Treasurer’s Report was distributed by Treasurer Robinson and will be attached to these minutes. 

 

General Discussion 

 

Chairman Halley 

 

  1. Donation receipt letter is working well with Louise Charboneau responsible for composing and mailing to donors. 
  1. Friends of the Council on Aging have received 31 applications with 22 approvals totaling $13,132.39. Donations during that time period totaled $17,989.65. 
  1. Chairman suggested H@H hold 2 meetings per year February and September. 
  1. Suggestion to meet with The Board of Selectmen to encourage participation.  Discussion ensued as to whether to be on Citizens address or placed as an Agenda item.  Also discussed having a handout to give Selectmen at that meeting. 
  1. Chairman requested a vote to endorse allowing a second distribution in the same year to qualified applicants.  Susie and Karen to write letter to FCOA.  Motion to approve – Robinson, Seconded - Ellis Vote Unanimous. 

 

Expanded Scope - Bullock suggested that consideration be given to expanding the scope of the types of allowable expenses to include seasonal or specialty items such as roof raking of snow, coats/clothing via school guidance counselors.  Bullock also suggested the use of social workers to document eligibility for financial assistance.  Susie/Karen to contact the Superintendents for access to school counselors. 

 

Application Form - Marsh wrote to the Senior Outreach Workers (Paula Early and Cindy Smith) regarding changes to the application form with an eye to making it less complex. 

 

Food Pantry – Halley reported that distributions have remained steady at 130 families per month.  Paula and Cindy were looking after home bound delivery. 

 

Booklets – Karen to contact Louise to determine how many booklets remain and if more need to be made available. 

 

Faye Ellis reports that she will be in attendance at the next meeting of the Holden Council on Aging.  She also suggested that booklets be distributed in church pews perhaps at the back of the church. 

 

Jim Robinson will report to the next Department Head meeting on H@H and encourage attendees to refer potential applicants to the outreach workers.  He will also solicit suggestions to expand the scope of H@H participation. 

 

Motion to adjourn at 5:17PM Robinson, Seconded Marsh, Voted – Unanimously. 

 

Next meeting to be at the call of the Chairman. 

 

Respectfully submitted, 

 

Brian Bullock