Council on Aging, January 7, 2016
HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Conference Room – Senior Center
Present: Richard Mansfield, Faye Ellis, Wayne Howard, Maureen Locke,
Rebecca Tornblom, Peter Lukes, Louise Charbonneau, Maureen Buffone.
Non-Members: Rita Brennan Olson, Sue Enman.
The Meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Richard Mansfield at 8:00 a.m.
The Minutes from the December 3, 2015 meeting were approved and accepted.
F.H.C.O.A. REPORT
Faye reported the account balances as follows:
Commerce Bank $15,658.89
Leominster Credit Union (furnishings acct.) $2,440.66
Leominster Credit Union C.D. $24,061.45
LCU Trip Account $4,679.36
The Friends received a $300.00 donation from the Klauzinski family. Mr. Klauzinski is now deceased, but had been utilizing the senior van before that time. His wife and son are still using the senior van.
Jim McCorkle has set up a Facebook page: Friends of the Holden Senior Center, in an attempt to get more information out to the seniors.
The Friends have decided to forego the Valentine’s Day Cookie Sale this year. The last couple of years, the weather had been stormy, resulting in a poor turnout. The Morning Glory Café is doing a good job taking in money, and they are hoping it will match that of the cookie sale.
Clare will continue to accept hats and mittens for the Columbus Park School in Worcester until February 1st. This is the second year of the collection.
Rick asked Faye if the Friends have any plans to disburse funds. There are no immediate plans, but the Friends contributed two (2) $20.00 gift cards to Big Y for door prizes for the Christmas party.
HELP AT H.O.M.E. REPORT ~ Jim Robinson
Jim was unable to attend this morning’s meeting and did not have an updated Financial Report, however, there were $14,709.12 in donations for the period ending December 31, 2015.
BOARD OF ELDER SERVICES REPORT ~ Richard Mansfield
Rick did not have a report. He will be attending the next Board of Elder Services meeting in two (2) weeks.
Louise told Rick that Elder Services did not cancel meals until 8:45 on Tuesday, December 29th. Most of the volunteers had arrived by that time. Rick said he would look into it.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT ~ Louise Charbonneau
The Morning Glory Café has been averaging $30.00 each time. Mr. Ethier often comes and gave a plug at a Selectmen’s meeting.
Eric Johansen will be filling the vacant spot on the board. He has a lot of positive energy, a good sense of humor and loves the town and the elderly. He will be a great addition to the board.
JANUARY PROGRAMS
Every Friday from 8:30-10:30 – The Morning Glory Café is open.
Friday, January 1 … Senior Center was closed in observance of New Year’s Day
Wednesday, January 6 … 1:00 p.m. Jazz Concert with the City of Four
Friday, January 8 … 10:30 a.m. Veterans Meeting w/Jim McCorkle as speaker
Wednesday, January 13 … 12:00 p.m. Homemade Turkey dinner
1:00 p.m. Festivals around the World Concert w/Marti Sawyer
Monday, January 18 … Senior Center closed in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Wednesday, January 20 … 1:00 p.m. Memorial service for Beulah Kronoff
Thursday, January 28 … 10:00 a.m. The Book Discussion Group will meet and discuss the book Lily White by Susan Isaacs.
A VERY BIG THANK YOU …
… to the Wachusett Area Rotary Club for their donation of 12 hams for Christmas dinner which Paula and Cindy delivered to elders and families less fortunate.
FOLLOW UP ON DISCUSSION ABOUT TAKING FOOD OUT OF THE BUILDING
After speaking with Jacquie it has been decided that participants will be allowed to take home bread and fresh fruit. Anything that requires refrigeration, such as milk, will not be allowed to be removed from the building.
NUMBERS FROM DECEMBER
Harp Concert – 55
Christmas Concert – 38
The Main Event – 19
Veterans Meeting – 17
Mountview Breakfast – 122
Christmas Party – 51
Rotary Breakfast – 329 (120 of which were Holden elders)
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
CITIZENS ADDRESS
Citizen Rita Brennan Olson was in attendance and asked if the take out policy will be posted on the website. Rick agreed that there should be a posting and asked Louise and Peter to look into it.
Rita also asked about the status of the needs assessment committee. Sue is away, and Louise will talk to her when she returns. Louise will also have a discussion with Emmett Schmarsow.
Rita expressed her opinion on the need for Meals on Wheels drivers, asking if the town would explore providing a vehicle to the senior center for the delivery of meals.
ADJOURNMENT
It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:46 a.m. Rick wished the Board a Happy New Year.
Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2016 at 8:00 a.m.