Council on Aging, April 3, 2014
HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Conference Room – Senior Center
Present: Rev. Dr. Jerry Heslinga, Susan Sullivan, Faye Ellis, Rebecca Tornblom, Maureen Locke; Marilyn Burnham, Jim Robinson, Peter Lukes, Louise Charbonneau, Maureen Buffone.
The Minutes from the February 6, 2014 meeting were approved and accepted.
F.H.C.O.A. REPORT
Faye reported the account balances as of March 3, 2014 as follows:
Commerce Bank $15,189.89
Leominster Credit Union (furnishings acct.) $3,638.02
Leominster Credit Union C.D. $23,826.16
LCU Trip Account $4,328.55
The Friends’ Valentine’s Day Cookie Sale scheduled for Friday, February 14, 2014 had to be rescheduled to Friday, February 21, 2014 due to snow. Turnout was good, overall, with approximately $822.00 raised.
The Friends annual meeting will take place on April 7, 2014 and a vote will be taken on the revised by-laws. The new by-laws will give the board a sturdy foundation. Faye’s 3-year appointment as President of the Friends group is up, and Marcia Sherbourne will be taking over the next 3-year term as President. Faye will still be able to stay on the HCOA Board.
HELP AT H.O.M.E. REPORT - Jim Robinson
Jim submitted a financial report, dated February 28, 2014, showing a combined balance of $33,020.22. There was $13,607.41 received in donations since July 1, 2013.
The transfer of funds from the Help at H.O.M.E. account to the Welcome Aldrich account has been made, which puts the Welcome Aldrich account back in sync with the balance from five (5) years ago.
The Help at H.O.M.E. committee will be meeting again in April. The members would like to get a better idea of the disbursement process, as they are not familiar with the criteria. They are anticipating getting the word out in the future using a variety of mechanisms (The Landmark, Selectmen’s Agenda item). Most people are at the end of other fuel assistance they may be receiving and may be calling for additional assistance.
BOARD OF ELDER SERVICES REPORT - Richard Mansfield
In the absence of Mr. Mansfield, no report was given relative to Elder Services of Worcester Area, Inc.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT - Louise Charbonneau
MARCH EVENTS
Wed., Mar. 5 ….. Talk on Pre-Diabetes
Thurs., Mar. 6 … Movie “An Unfinished Life”
Mon., Mar. 10 … The Magic & Mystery or Crop Circles (sponsored by local arts council)
Wed., Mar. 12 … Free Legal Clinic w/Attorney Arthur Bergeron
Thurs., Mar. 13 .. Movie “How to Marry a Millionaire”
Wed., Mar. 19 … Pre-Diabetes Screening
Thurs., Mar. 20 .. Book Discussion Group – Tales from the Crib by Jennifer Coburn
Movie “Hyde Park on Hudson”
Thur., Mar 27 … Movie “Parental Guidance”
APRIL EVENTS
Wed., April 2 … Young at Heart Concert – 1:00 p.m.
Thurs., April 3 … Maintaining Independence – 10:00 (OT from Oriol Healthcare)
Movie “Enough Said” 12:30 p.m.
Mon., April 7 … Friends of HCOA Annual Meeting – 1:00 p.m.
Wed., Apr. 9 … Volunteer Recognition – 12:00
Thurs., Apr. 10 … Movie “The Help” 12:30 p.m.
Thurs., Apr. 17 … Book Discussion Group – The Lost Child of Philomena Lee
By Martin Sixsmith
Movie “The Last Lion” 12:30 p.m.
Mon., Apr. 21 … Senior Center Closed in observance of Patriots’ Day
Wed., Apr. 23 … Celebrating New England w/storyteller Davis Bates (local arts council grant)
Thurs., Apr. 24 … HFD Luncheon and Presentation – 12:00 p.m.
Wed., April 30 … Qualifying for MassHealth w/Attorney Bergeron – 2:00 p.m.
Thurs., May 1 … Senior Dinner/Dance at WRHS 5:00-8:00 p.m.
THANK YOU
Louise thanked the staff for the wonderful job they did while she was away for 3 weeks. She said it
is easy to go away and relax when you are lucky enough to have a staff as proficient as hers knowing that everything will be taken care of appropriately.
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION
Louise invited the board members to our annual Volunteer Recognition luncheon on Wednesday, April 9 at noon where they will be treated to a delicious lunch catered by Toupins Catering. All of our volunteers who offered their services in 2013 are included.
HFD LUNCH AND PRESENTATION
At our last meeting Louise informed the board of the grant that Lt. David Chapin and she received from the MA Department of Fire Safety. We will begin the Senior SAFE program on Thursday, April 24 with a presentation on “Slips, Trips and Falls” and a lunch of spaghetti, salad, bread, beverage and dessert. The Holden Professional Firefighters has donated $500.00 toward the cost of the lunch. This lunch and presentation is for Holden Elders only.
ANNUAL SENIOR CITIZEN DINNER DANCE
There is a free dinner dance at Wachusett Regional High School on Thursday, May 1st at 5:00 p.m. for all senior citizens. All are welcome to come and have fun. This dance is sponsored by the Wachusett Mountaineer Volunteer Students and the Friends of the Holden Council on Aging. To attend, you only have to sign up at the Holden Senior Center by calling 508-210-5570, and then show up at the high school cafeteria for 5:00 p.m. The students will not only serve you a lovely dinner, but they will be enjoying the dancing to the DJ as well. The dance is over at 8:00 p.m. Hope to see you there!
BUDGET HEARING
It is Louise’s understanding that our budget hearing went well. As always, Jacquie handled everything beautifully. The only questions seemed to be relative to the proposed capital budget request for work on the roof. Thanks to Faye & Dave Ellis and Maureen Buffone for attending.
NUMBERS FROM FEBRUARY AND MARCH
FEBRUARY MARCH
Scam Information w/Det. Chris Carey – 20 Pre-Diabetes Talk and Screening – 14
Home Cooked Meal – 62 Mystery of Crop Circles - 30
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
The pen pal students from the third grade class at Mayo school will be coming to the senior center on Thursday, June 12 from 1:30 to 2:30 to meet with their senior pen pals. The Friends are paying for the buses.
CITIZENS ADDRESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 a.m.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. at the Holden Senior Center.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Buffone