Council on Aging, May 4, 2017
HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Conference Room – Senior Center
Present: Susan Sullivan, Faye Ellis, Wayne Howard, Maureen Locke, Eric Johansen,
Rick Mansfield, Louise Charbonneau, Maureen Buffone.
Non-Members: Peter Viles, AARP Tax Volunteer; Julia Martiros, Director of Nutrition, ESWA.
The Meeting was called to order by Sue Sullivan at 8:00 a.m.
The Minutes from the April 6, 2017 meeting were approved and accepted.
Sue welcomed Peter Viles who is our AARP Tax Volunteer. The program is a partnership between the AARP and the IRS for low income individuals. Peter attended this morning’s meeting seeking help in recruiting one or two volunteers for next year’s tax program, as he and his assistant are hoping to step back from the program. Qualifications include CORI check, access to email, some computer knowledge and willingness to work 40 hours per week during the months of February, March and April. There are training classes on three (3) Saturdays in early December. Returning volunteers, will only need to take one (1) refresher class. Peter is responsible for staffing six (6) sites. We will put something in the newsletters for August and September to get the word out for this need.
Rick introduced Julia Martiros who is the Director of Nutrition at ESWA. Julia has been with Elder Services for ten (10) years and has been director of nutrition for four (4) years. Julia presented an overview of the nutrition program, how the program works, it’s funding, and also answered questions. At the present time, funding is very uncertain, but there is a growing need.
F.H.C.O.A. REPORT
Faye reported the account balances as follows:
Commerce Bank $15,580.52
Leominster Credit Union (furnishings acct.) $2,847.35
Leominster Credit Union C.D. $24,206.46
LCU Trip Account $5,668.85
Faye reported that almost 80 people attended the senior prom at the high school on April 27th. The Friends helped to defray the cost by paying 50% of the total bill.
The Friends have agreed to pay for the veterans’ meal on May 24th.
The membership list remains a challenge and has been ongoing for years. The anniversary dates are not always remembered.
HELP AT H.O.M.E. REPORT - Jim Robinson
No representation.
BOARD OF ELDER SERVICES REPORT - Richard Mansfield
Rick spoke some more about elder services’ budget and the many sources from which the money is obtained. They are hoping to do a better job looking for money from the communities.
Rick suggested having more meetings with the drivers and site managers or having an information board where they can find notices on updated information.
Rick expressed his appreciation for the use of the senior center on April 29th for the bereavement program sponsored by Miles Funeral Home. It was very well attended.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT - Louise Charbonneau
MAY EVENTS
May 1-May 24 … LET’S SUPPORT OUR VETERANS
The Senior Center will be holding a donation drive in support of the Veterans’ Shelter in Worcester. From May 1st through May 24th, we invite you to participate in this important venture. We contacted the shelter, and they provided us this list of some things that are needed:
Personal Items: Deodorant; razors (disposable); soap; shampoo; toothpaste and toothbrushes; hand lotion; nail files; nail clippers; cough drops; Vicks vapor rub; combs/hair brushes.
Mens’ Clothing: Boxers (new - all sizes); undershirts (sizes L, XL, XXL new or gently used); socks (white); shirts (sizes L, XL, XXL); men’s pants; flip flops (sizes M, L, XL); footwear; bath towels/washcloths; pillows (new); pillow cases (new); laundry bags (nylon/canvas-new).
Miscellaneous Items: New England public transportation passes; postage stamps; canned food items; regular ground coffee; cases of water; bug spray; umbrellas.
Gift Cards: Visa; Target; Walmart; CVS; Walgreens.
We thank everyone for their willingness to support those who have supported us.
Wednesday, May 10 … “Civil War Letters of George and Emily Ward” … 1:00 … When Civil War broke out in 1861, George Ward went off to war leaving his wife Emily and two small children. Actors Lynn McKenney Lydick and Thomas R. Lydick portray George and Emily through their letters in a program entitled, “To My Dearest: The Civil War Letters of George and Emily Ward.” The program is free and open to all. A very big thank you to the Holden Cultural Council for funding this presentation.
Monday, May 15 … Free Legal Clinic 10:30-12:30 … Attorney Arthur Bergeron from the firm of Mirick O’Connell will be here to offer a free legal clinic. Appointments are REQUIRED.
Thursday, May 18 … Book Discussion Group … 10:00 … The Book Discussion Group will be discussing the book Shelter by Jung Yun.
Monday, May 22 … Two Old Friends Concert … 1:00 … Emery Hutchins & Jim Prendergast, along with their collection of drums, banjos, concertinas and assorted guitars, will entertain us with best-loved folk songs and ballads. Free and open to all. Please call 508-210-5570 to reserve your seat.
Wednesday, May 24 … Home Cooked Lunch in Honor of Veterans … 12:00 …IIn honor of Memorial Day, we will honor our veterans with a home cooked meal. That day, the staff will be preparing Roast Pork and Gravy, Smashed Potatoes, Broccoli Casserole, Applesauce, Rolls and Butter, Dessert and Beverage. Reservations are required and will be accepted through Friday, May 19 or until we reach capacity. Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Holden Council on Aging, veterans will eat free. Admission for non-veterans will be a donation to our Veterans Donation Drive.
A COUPLE OF REMINDERS …
The Annual Town Election will be held on Monday, May 8. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. There will be no programs at the Senior Center that day. Office staff will be here and the vans will be running. There is a sample ballot on the town’s website/Town Clerk
The Annual Town Meeting will be held on Monday, May 15 at 7:00 p.m. at Wachusett Regional High School.
A HUGE LOSS …
We learned earlier this week that one of our valued volunteers, Nancy Owens, passed away at the age of 71. Nancy was at the airport getting ready to board a plane with her husband to visit the Grand Canyon when she was suddenly stricken ill. She began volunteering here while we were housed in the old building, participating in the SERVE program. More recently she was a nurse for our blood pressure clinic. She and our other nurses were recognized at our 2016 Volunteer Recognition event as Outstanding Volunteers. She was recently elected as a director on the board of the Friends. I took the liberty of sending a card and writing a note on behalf of the Board and Staff of the Senior Center to her family.
STATISTICS FOR APRIL
Sheriff’s Symposium – 145
Opening Day Lunch and Red Sox Game – 48
Home Cooked Lunch - 46
Volunteer Recognition – 58
Potato Bar - 55
Senior Prom – 78 (28 of whom were from Holden)
OLD BUSINESS
Peter Lukes notified Louise that he was unable to attend today’s meeting, as he is busy with the budget and upcoming town meeting. Peter hopes to be more available after that time.
NEW BUSINESS
Louise reported to the board that we have had an influx of Canadian geese. They have been coming into the parking lot and are becoming aggressive. Louise called Dave Armstrong and the animal control officer. The animal control officer brought an air can over to use to try and startle them away. Jeff Zottoli told Louise that the geese are federally protected and cannot be touched.
CITIZENS ADDRESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 a.m.
Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 8:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Buffone