Council on Aging, June 5, 2014
HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Conference Room – Senior Center
Present: Rev. Dr. Jerry Heslinga, Richard Mansfield, Susan Sullivan, Faye Ellis, Maureen Locke, Marilyn Burnham, Rebecca Tornblom, Peter Lukes, Jim Robinson, Louise Charbonneau, Maureen Buffone.
The Minutes from the May 1, 2014 meeting were approved and accepted.
F.H.C.O.A. REPORT
Faye reported the account balances as of April 7, 2014 as follows:
Commerce Bank $15,466.54
Leominster Credit Union (furnishings acct.) $4,219.84
Leominster Credit Union C.D. $23,925.56
LCU Trip Account $4,252.63
Some of the Friends members made calls to the people on their membership list to get updated information and to remind some of them of their expired membership dues.
The Friends are paying for the school buses which will transport the 3rd grade Mayo school students to the senior center for the end of year pen pal party on June 12th. They also paid $345.00 for ½ of the cost of the senior prom held on May 1st.
Helen had asked Louise for a list of things that the senior center may have a need for. We will have a staff meeting to determine our needs.
The Friends have an assistant treasurer this year and new bylaws. They will now be filing an annual report.
HELP AT H.O.M.E. REPORT - Jim Robinson
Jim submitted a revised Financial Report showing disbursements in the amount of $1,290.00. Everything else is status quo. The combined balance is $39,704.32. The balance of the Welcome Aldrich account is back where it should be.
The Landmark will have a small blurb this week. The committee is looking for ways to get the word out.
BOARD OF ELDER SERVICES REPORT - Richard Mansfield
Rick reported that there is little that has changed with elder services. They have a new website and have hired 21 new staff members.
The basic home care program has been cut by $4.63 million below the levels recommended by the Governor and the House. The Aging Services Access Point has been level funded for the 5th year in a row, which means these 27 agencies will receive no additional funds for their employees or their operational costs. Mass Home Care had asked for a $3.3 million increase in this account.
Lou Swan had an evaluation, and Rick rated him as excellent. Rick suggested that Lou come in some time to speak to the board.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT - Louise Charbonneau
Just an FYI for the board members, Monday and half of Tuesday this week we were without phones, computer, printers, etc. There was something that happened that rendered the switch in the networking equipment unusable.
This year’s Annual Town Report was dedicated to former Board member Al Ferron. Town Manager Jacquie Kelly has generously provided Louise with three of the reports to send one to each of his three sons.
JUNE EVENTS
Wed., June 4 …. Two Old Friends Concert … 1:00
Thurs., June 5 .… Movie – “What If” … 12:30
Mon., June 9 …. Great Moments in American Theater … 1:00
Thurs., June 12 … Pen Pal Party … 1:30
Mon., June 16 …. Father’s Day Coffee and Donuts … 8:30-10:00
Legal Seminar w/Atty Nick Kaltsas …1:00 Covered topics:
- Ways to Protect Yourself & Your Identity from those who target elders
- How Does the Affordable Care Act Affect You?
Tues., June 17 … Free Legal Clinic w/Atty. Arthur Bergeron by appt. .. 10:00-12:00
Wed., June 18 … Home-Cooked Lunch & HFD File of Life Presentation … 12:00
Thurs., June 19 .. Book Discussion Group – Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline .. 10:00
Movie “Larry Crowne” 12:30
Thurs., June 26 .. Movie “Waking Sleeping Beauty” 12:30
SUMMER PROGRAMS
Wed., July 9 …....… Summer Lunch Prepared by Staff … 12:00
Wed., July 16 ……. “Sugar Shocker” w/Nutritionist Tricia Silverman … 1:00
(partially funded by Friends of HCOA)
Wed., July 23 ……. Wachusett Community Band Concert & Social …1:00
Wed., Aug. 6 …… “The Main Event” w/Bill Sbrogna … 1:00
Wed., August 27 … Annual Senior Center Picnic … 12:00
NEW VAN
We received a new van from the WRTA last month. While Louise hasn’t ridden on it herself, drivers report that it rides much better and is way quieter than the previous one.
GRANT TRAINING
Louise and Maureen trekked to the Northboro Senior Center yesterday to attend the Annual Formula Grant training with Emmett Schmarsow from EOEA. We will receive no less than $8.00/elder this year. Both the Formula Grant Budget and the Annual Report are covered during these sessions. While not much has changed with both, we never walk away from these meetings without learning something, and yesterday was no exception.
MCOA CONFERENCE
This year’s MCOA Conference will be held Wednesday, October 8 – Friday, October 10 at Seacrest Resort and Conference Center in North Falmouth. Board members are welcome to attend any one or all of the days. Louise sets aside grant moneys for conference fees. If you’d like to attend, please let Louise or Maureen know, and we will see to it that you are registered.
NEW BOARD MEMBER AND CHAIRMAN
Louise reminded the board that due to Pastor Heslinga’s retirement, we need a new Board Member and will need to elect a new chairman. If anyone knows of someone interested in serving on the Board, please ask him/her to fill out a Do Something questionnaire and drop it off in the Town Manager’s office or forward his/her contact information to Louise and she will contact them.
As far as a new Chairman, we will hold that election at our September meeting. At that time, we should also consider electing a Vice-Chairman, as well.
SOME NUMBERS FOR MAY
Legal Presentation – 33
Leslie Safer Concert – 38
Senior Prom – 54 in total 37 of which were from Holden
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Rick Mansfield joined Arthur Bergeron for his legal presentation on May 21st entitled “What Will Happen to Your Body after You Die?”
CITIZENS ADDRESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 a.m.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. at the Holden Senior Center.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Buffone