Council on Aging, June 4, 2015
HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Conference Room – Senior Center
Present: Susan Sullivan, Faye Ellis, Marilyn Burnham, Wayne Howard, Maureen Locke,
Becky Tornblom, Peter Lukes, Jim Robinson, Louise Charbonneau, Clare Nelson
From the Friends: Rita Brennan-Olson; Marcia Sherbourne; Susan Enman; David Ellis; Eileen McCorkle; Jim McCorkle; Beverly Doten; Rosemary Dooley; Paula Grady; Helen Holmes
The Meeting was called to order by Chairman Susan Sullivan at 8:10 a.m.
The Minutes from the April 2, 2015 meeting were approved and accepted.
F.H.C.O.A. REPORT
Faye reported the account balances as of April 2, 2015 as follows:
Commerce Bank $13,857.94
Leominster Credit Union (furnishings acct.) $2,038.20
Leominster Credit Union C.D. $23,945.23
LCU Trip Account $5,165.87
Faye also reported that the CD will come due at the end of June. The intent of the Friends is to simply roll it over. This is the 35the anniversary of the inception of the Friends. As part of that celebration they sponsored the Two Old Friends Concert and had a celebratory anniversary cake. The Friends also provided small gifts for the 3rd grade pen pals which were made by Marilyn Burnham.
The topic of locally prepared daily meals was introduced by Rita Brennan-Olson. The discussion covered topics such as but not limited to: budget implications, staffing/volunteer needs, dietary guidelines/requirements, would we lose other services provided by Elder Services if we no longer contracted with them for meals as well as the roles of the Council as compared to the role of the Friends. Peter Lukes stated that should they decide to ask for a town committee be formed to look into changing the way lunch is prepared, etc., a solid mission statement would be required before bringing that proposal to the Town Manager. He also said he will look into getting the menu up online promptly.
HELP AT H.O.M.E. REPORT ~ Jim Robinson
Jim gave a summary of resources on hand for Help at H.O.M.E. He informed the group that the Help at H.O.M.E. Committee oversees two funds the Welcome Aldrich Relief Fund which has @$18,000.00 in it and the Help at H.O.M.E. Fund which has @ $20,000.00. Disbursements come mostly in winter. Since 2008, more than $100,000.00 has been raised and approximately 80% has been allocated to help Holden residents. Questions relative to what needs will be funded; who is eligible to apply; as well as the vetting process were asked and answered.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT ~ Louise Charbonneau
MAY PROGRAMS
Thurs., May 7 … Two Old Friends Concert ~ 1:00
Wed., May 11 … Harp Concert in celebration of Mother’s Day ~ 1:00
Mon., May 18 … City of 4 Jazz Concert ~ 1:00
Thurs., May 21 … Book Discussion Group The Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett ~ 10:00
Mon., May 25 … Senior Center Closed in Observance of Memorial Day
Wed., May 27 … Home Cooked Lunch ~ 12:00
JUNE PROGRAMS
Thurs., June 4 … Pen Pal Party ~ 1:30
Mon., June 8 … Minimizing Pain and Enhancing Vitality into Your Nineties w/Dr. Karen Clickner ~ 1:00
Wed., June 10 … Mabel and Jerry Comedy Show ~ 1:00
Fri., June 12 … World Elder Abuse Day – ESWA Protective Services will be here ~ 12:00
Wed., June 17 … Father’s Day Breakfast for Lunch w/guest speaker Lt. Dave Chapin ~ 12:00
Thurs., June 18 … Solomon Pond Mall Shopping Trip ~ 10:00-1:00
… Book Discussion Group ~ 10:00 ~ The Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett
Mon., June 22 … Free Legal Clinic w/Attorney Bergeron by appointment ~ 10:00-12:00
Wed., June 24 … HPFF sponsored Spaghetti/Meatball lunch for Holden Elders ~ 12:00
HOME COOKED MEAL
The Staff has decided to “bring back” our home cooked meal. It’s been a while since we’d ventured into the kitchen. On Wednesday, May 27 we offered baked ham; smashed potatoes; broccoli casserole; and ice cream. Cost of the meal was $5.00 for Holden elders and Holden Senior Center volunteers and $8.00 for out of town elders. We thank Leroux Meats and Deli for giving us excellent prices whenever we purchase our meat there and Jack Cross, Supervisor for the DPW for sharing 3 of their employees to assist us with the cooking, serving and cleaning up.
BUDGET FY16
Our budget passed through Finance Committee scrutiny and subsequently on Town Meeting floor as well. Our capital expense for this year is the replacement of our oven/stove and the dishwasher. After they have been purchased and installed Louise am going to work with Sue, our meal site manager, to be sure the dishwasher is utilized at least once each week such that we don’t run into the problems we did with the original dishwasher.
PEN PAL PARTY
We will be saying good bye to our Pen Pals this afternoon. 83 third grade students along with their teachers and some chaperones will be visiting their senior pen pals here at the center. We’d like to thank the Friends of the HCOA for sponsoring the busses to bring them here and for providing the “student friendly” refreshments.
WORLD ELDER ABUSE DAY
World Elder Abuse Day is actually Monday, June 15, however representatives from Elder Services of Worcester’s Protective Service Division will be here on Friday, June 12. They will have a table with information on and what constitutes elder abuse; as well what to do if you know an elder being abused or if the elder themselves is being abused – who to report it to, etc. They will answer questions and have business cards available in the event anyone would like to contact them privately.
SOLOMON POND SHOPPING TRIP
We have had several requests for a shopping trip to a local mall. So on Thursday, June 18 we will utilize our “town” van for just that. We are charging $5.00 round trip which will leave at 10:00 a.m. from the Senior Center and leaving the mall at 1:00 p.m. to return.
HPFF SPONSORED LUNCH
Once again our friends, the Professional Firefighters Local 4557 are sponsoring a home cooked lunch for Holden Elders only on Wed., June 24. This time they will be serving spaghetti and meatballs. If you encounter any of our full-time union firefighters, please thank them for all they do for our elders. We appreciate them “giving back” to the segment of the community which we serve.
NUMBERS FROM APRIL
AAA Driver Safety - 12
Legal Presentation - 35
Poetry Reading – 12
Senior Prom – 53 (approximately ½ were Holden Elders)
Volunteer Recognition - 71
AARP Tax Preparation for January-April – 95
Van Rides – 381 over 60 and 127 under 60
NUMBERS FROM MAY
City of Four Jazz Band – 29
Two Old Friends Concert – 40
Home Cooked Lunch -62
Mothers’ Day Program 29
Van Rides – 385 over 60 and 151 under 60
UPCOMING SUMMER EVENTS
Monday, July 20 … Wachusett Community Band Concert
Monday, August 3 … Zentangle w/Mary Shepherd
Monday, August 10 … Chris Sawyer w/a program on Denholm’s
Wed., August 12 … Our Annual Cookout - here
As this is our last meeting before summer, on behalf of the staff, we wish all of you a wonderful summer. We all deserve some warm weather after the horrible winter!
Chairman Sullivan asked if there was any old or new business to come before the Board. There being none, she announced that the Board will meet again on Thursday, September 3, at 8:00 a.m. and wished everyone an enjoyable summer.
ADJOURNMENT
It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Clare Nelson