Council on Aging, March 2, 2017
HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Conference Room – Senior Center
Present: Susan Sullivan, Faye Ellis, Maureen Locke, Eric Johansen, Peter Lukes,
Louise Charbonneau, Maureen Buffone.
The Meeting was called to order by Sue Sullivan at 8:00 a.m.
The Minutes from the February 2, 2017 meeting were approved and accepted.
F.H.C.O.A. REPORT
Faye reported the account balances as follows:
Commerce Bank $15,439.35
Leominster Credit Union (furnishings acct.) $2,896.91
Leominster Credit Union C.D. $24,206.46
LCU Trip Account $5,592.93
The Friends purchased two (2) coffee urns for the Morning Glory Café for approximately One Hundred Fifty ($150.00) Dollars. The café continues to do well.
Peter requested an electronic list of the seniors in town 60 years and older to be prepared by Helen Aronowitz .
The Friends have agreed to pay Seven Hundred ($700.00) Dollars for the buses and the purchase of pens for the Holden Senior Center pen pal party.
The Friends will cover the cost for the lunches for the veterans attending the home-cooked meal in May.
The trips continue to do well.
The Friends will be meeting again on March 6th. The annual meeting will be held on Monday, April 3, 2017 at 1:00 p.m.
HELP AT H.O.M.E. REPORT - Jim Robinson
Jim was not in attendance, but submitted a financial report dated January 31, 2017 showing a combined balance of $63,260.71. The disbursements totaled $1,238.16. There are a couple of requests in the works.
The next Help at H.O.M.E. meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 7th at 4:00 p.m. at the Senior Center.
BOARD OF ELDER SERVICES REPORT - Richard Mansfield
No representation.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT - Louise Charbonneau
MARCH EVENTS
Wednesday, March 8 … Greendale Retired Mens’ Chorus Concert - 11:00 singing all your favorites. The concert is free and open to all.
Monday, March 13 … Free Legal Clinic from 10:30-12:30. Attorney Arthur Bergeron from the firm Mirick O’Connell will offer 15 minute legal appointments for individuals at no cost, but appointments are a must.
Thursday, March 16 … Book Discussion Group 10:00 … will discuss the book The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman.
Monday, March 20 … Legal Presentation … 1:00 … by Attorney Arthur Bergeron from the firm Mirick O’Connell. The presentation is free and open to all. The topic will be Elder Law 101 - a 2017 Update, which is an overview of legal issues facing seniors including big changes in MassHealth regulations.
Wednesday, March 22 … Ireland with Ron Rosenstock … 1:00 … We will “travel” with local photographer Ron Rosenstock on his latest trip to Ireland. The program is free and open to all. This presentation is sponsored by the Holden Women’s Club and the ARTSengineering Company. We sincerely thank them.
Wednesday, March 29 … Information w/HFD … 12:30 … An informational session that will cover everything from fire safety issues to Files of Life. Join us as we welcome Firefighter/Paramedic Chuck Borowy from the Holden Fire Department. FF Borowy is HFD’s new SAFE officer. He will have Files of Life to distribute and speak about the importance of having them filled out completely and accurately. If you wish, you can bring a list of your medications and HFD staff will assist you in completing your File of Life (lists only - please do NOT bring the actual medications). Also, if time allows, he will take blood pressures for anyone interested. FF Borowy’s presentation and the Files of Life are sponsored by a S.A.F.E. for Seniors grant through the Massachusetts Department of Fire Safety. At the conclusion of the program, we will offer ice cream sundaes! Please reserve your seat by calling 508-210-5570. We encourage you to register such that we have enough hand-outs and ice cream!!
AND IN APRIL …The day before our April Meeting
Wednesday, April 5 … 9:00-2:00 … “TASTE & TOAST TO YOUR HEALTH”
You’re invited to a Senior Spring Celebration & Education Day entitled “Taste & Toast to Your Health” at the Holden Senior Center sponsored by the Worcester County Reserve Deputy Sheriff’s Association. Join us for this FREE educational event for seniors to celebrate & toast you and your health. Listen to our distinguished speakers: Sheriff Lew Evangelidis, Diane Flanagan, RN of Leominster Hospital and Karyn Cooney, Director of Salmon Home Care & Hospice. Also join us for senior safety Bingo, raffles, public safety & wellness tips, community resources and so much more! Complimentary Taste of Italy lunch provided by Napoli Deli included. Super Topics! Resources for seniors from the Sheriff; Keeping Your Brain Healthy and Sharp with Humor; Tips for Staying Healthy & Strong as You Age. Please RSVP by March 25th at dostiguy@worcestercountysherriff.org or call 508-796-2638. (We are essentially closing the daily routine of the building on this day.
Sheriff Evangelidis wanted very much to bring this program to Holden.)
FINANCE COMMITTEE BUDGET HEARING
Our budget hearing before the Finance Committee this year will be held on Wednesday, March 15 at the Holden Municipal Light Department. The hearing will start at 7:00 p.m. Louise does not know where we are located on the agenda, so she can’t really tell exactly what time our part of the evening will begin. Louise will be in Florida at that time, but did encourage board members to attend to show support of our budget. If you let Maureen or Louise know if you are available, we will be certain to let Peter know that you’ll be there.
THANK YOU IN NEWSLETTER
Louise took the liberty of putting a thank you from this Board in the April newsletter to those who were kind enough to take the time to respond to the survey.
A REMINDER
Just a gentle reminder that later this afternoon there is a retirement party for Town Manager Jacquie Kelly. It will be held in Memorial Hall of Town Hall from 1:00-3:00 p.m. All of you are invited to attend and take advantage of this opportunity to thank Jacquie for what she has done for the town, but especially for her unwavering devotion and support of Holden’s Elders and this staff.
AWAY
Louise will be away from Thursday, March 9 and be back in the office on Wednesday, March 22. While she is away, the Senior Center and its day to day operations will be left in Maureen’s capable hands. If issues arise, she knows that she can call Louise or Peter. Louise does periodically check in with her in the event questions arise.
STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY
Home Cooked Lunch – 68
Adult Coloring – 6
Isaiah Thomas Program - 44
OLD BUSINESS
Approximately 140 surveys were returned to date. Sue will be taking the box away so she can prepare a final report. Sue handed out a draft report of what has been received. There were clearly two (2) people who had major issues with everything. There was an overwhelming positive response on the exercise classes. The Morning Glory Café was a huge success; they really like it.
NEW BUSINESS
None
CITIZENS ADDRESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 a.m.
Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 8:00 a.m.