Council on Aging, March 7, 2019
Louise Charbonneau
Director
HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Conference Room – Senior Center
Present: Susan Sullivan, Richard Mansfield, Wayne Howard, Maureen Locke, Faye Ellis,
Eric Johansen, Stephanie Bacon, Louise Charbonneau, Maureen Buffone.
The Meeting was called to order by Sue Sullivan at 8:00 a.m.
The minutes from the meeting of February 7, 2019 were unanimously approved.
F.H.C.O.A. REPORT
The Friends meeting scheduled for March 4th was postponed due to snow. They will be meeting Monday, March 11th.
HELP AT H.O.M.E. REPORT
No representation.
BOARD OF ELDER SERVICES REPORT ~ Richard Mansfield
Rick offered his report from the Elder Services meeting held last month as follows:
There was a lot of housekeeping and staff movement. Nutrition was down, but was expected.
Lisa Kippax, Strategic Initiatives Director, reported that MassHealth ACO Flexible Services (group of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers who come together to coordinate high quality care to MassHealth members) is scheduled to launch January 1, 2020. MassHealth is now able to pay for services within the domains of nutrition and housing supports for some members enrolled in MassHealth ACO.
Maureen Siergie, ESWA Executive Director, reported that the Governor’s budget shows a 1.91% increase to Community Choices, 2.23% increase to Home Care Purchased Services, 3.51% increase to Protective Services and a $2.5 million increase to Elder Nutrition’s line items.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT ~ Louise Charbonneau
MARCH EVENTS
Sunday, March 10 … Don’t forget to turn your clocks forward as we begin Daylight Savings Time.
Monday, March 11 … A Celtic Celebration … 1:00 p.m. We’re celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day a little early with storyteller Davis Bates’ tales and songs from Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Stories of seal folk and wee folk, and sing-alongs galore. Refreshments will follow the program. To reserve your seat for this program, please call 508-210-5570. This program is funded in part through a generous grant from the Holden Cultural Council. We sincerely thank them. If you’d like to come for lunch before the program, please call Sue at 508-210-5578 between 9:00 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. She will accept reservations through 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, March 7th.
Wednesday, March 13 … New Session of Balance Class w/Marty French Begins … 1:00 p.m. A new balance class with instructor, Marty French will begin on Wednesday, March 13 at 1:00 p.m. This is a series of five (5) classes which will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 20, and 27; April 3 and THURSDAY April 11. The cost is $25.00 for the 5 weeks. You may sign up by bringing your check, made payable to Marty French, to the Senior Center. (Payment is required at time of registration.) Participants at all levels of fitness are welcome.
Monday, March 18 … Post Road Chorus Concert … 1:00 p.m. … We invite you to join us for a show presented by the Post Road Chorus composed of local prize-winning singers. Their performance will include your favorites, old and new! Special refreshments following the show. (If you wish to come for lunch beforehand, please call Sue at 508-210-5578 two days ahead.
Thursday, March 28 … Book Discussion Group … 10:00 a.m. … The Book Discussion Group will meet to discuss the book Dandelion Summer by Lisa Wingate.
BUDGET HEARING
Our budget hearing before the Finance Committee was held last night at the Light Department. For all intent and purposes, it went well. Louise thanked all of those who were able to make the hearing.
VAN DRIVERS NEEDED
We have advertised and received no interest for 2 part-time van drivers. Bob Giannotti is scheduled to leave mid-March and George Warden is retiring at the end of March. Sadly, we received no applications. If you know anyone who might be interested, they can find the posting on the town’s website as well as the application which can be downloaded and submitted to the Town Manager’s Office.
TIME AWAY
Louise will be away on vacation beginning next Wednesday, March 13 for 13 working days. She will return to the office on April 1st. While she is away, the day to day operations of the Senior Center will be in Maureen’s hands.
NUMBERS FROM FEBRUARY
Valentine’s Home Cooked Meal – 40
Diet, Dragons & Death - 31
Everything You Need to Know about SNAP - 13
OLD BUSINESS
Eric Johansen suggested revisiting the results of the survey that was done a couple of years ago. This will be discussed further at the next meeting. Goals should be set.
Eric also spoke about a Telegram and Gazette article discussing the Shrewsbury COA showing that they are in the process of revealing results of a recent survey and are creating a five year strategic plan. The strategic plan can also help the COA seek national accreditation. Louise mentioned that Shrewsbury has received state accreditation of their center and for their director. She said that Program Directors can also go through a process for state accreditation. It is very time consuming and expensive for each of these accreditations. She was hoping the costs would come to a more manageable amount. They are good for 5 years, at which time you have to go through and pay for the process again. If the board is interested, Louise would be happy to look into it. Further discussion will take place after everyone has had a chance to view the report.
In conjunction with that, Wayne Howard spoke about an article in the Boston Globe where senior centers across the state and country are trying to continue to be affective and stay relevant. Louise will contact Emmett Schmarsow to see if other boards in the area are interested in discussing this further.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
CITIZENS ADDRESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 a.m.
Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 8:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Buffone