HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Conference Room – Senior Center
Present: Richard Mansfield; Louise Charbonneau; Rev. Jerry Heslinga; Susan Sullivan; Jacquie Kelly; Barbara Anger; Albert Ferron; Maureen Buffone.
The meeting was called to order at 8:05 a.m. by Chairman Mansfield. The minutes from the October 11, 2007 meeting were approved and accepted.
F.H.C.O.A. REPORT
It was reported by Barbara Anger that the Friends held their first meeting with new president, Valeda Schmucki. The Friends were updated at the meeting on the senior van sub-committee, as well as ID badges for the meals on wheels drivers.
The FHCOA bank balances are as follows:
Commerce Bank |
$4,081.89 |
Leominster Credit Union |
$20,439.21 |
C.D. |
$20,000.00 |
OLD BUSINESS
Sue Sullivan, Chairman of the HCOA Transportation Sub-Committee, reported that the sub-committee continues to struggle with whether funds should be raised for operating costs or capital expenditures (new van). She obtained a list of towns from the Mass. Municipal website with a population of 1,000 residents on either side of Holden. She collected the names and numbers of the councils on aging for these towns and compiled a list of questions that a board member will use to obtain information. The question of what the towns’ restrictions are with their RTA will be added to the list of questions. Everyone should be asking the same kind of questions to get a sense of what other towns are doing. We should gather as much information as possible so that we will have a comprehensive plan that
we can present to the town. Background information is key to moving forward. Rick called Westboro and had a discussion with Alma. She told Rick that they had a capital campaign to raise funds for their vans. They are no longer using the RTA vans. Rick said the phone call triggered a lot of thought, and he also feels that our 2nd van is looking “tired.”
Louise called Emmett Schmarsow who also sits on MARTAP. He told Louise that we are not automatically in the grant process for a new van. We have to enter the process on our own and must have 20% of the cost set aside. Judy routinely keeps her vans for 5 years or 100,000 miles. After they give the title to her, she can apply for a new van. Louise will call Emmett and ask for the contact person for the grant.
COORDINATOR’S REPORT
Louise highlighted November’s events which included the movies “Gracie” on November 1st, “If Only” on November 8th, and “An American Christmas Carol” on November 29th. Louise encouraged the board to stop by and support the Friends at the Best of Friends Fair on November 3rd. A Veteran’s lunch will be held on November 13th, at which the veterans will eat for free. Linda McCarthy will be here on November 15th with copies of her new book entitled There’s a Spider in the Shower. This year’s flu clinic will be held on November 19th from 1:00 to 4:00. Andrea from the Board of Health called the Worcester VNA to ask them to open it up to town employees.
The three annual Christmas events will start with the Senior Center Christmas party at 12:15 on December 10th, catered by Toupins, with musical entertainment by Elliott Lockwood. The Mountview School Breakfast, for Holden Seniors only, will be held on December 11th at 9:30 a.m., and the Wachusett Area Rotary Breakfast will be held on December 15th at 8:30 a.m.
Miles Funeral Home will be holding a Bereavement Seminar here at the senior center on December 1st.
Louise and Paula are putting together a seminar on mandated reporting to be presented by Mary Parenteau, director of protective services, in late November. This will be offered to police, firemen and COA directors. Jerry Heslinga suggested that clergy be added to the list.
There was no other old or new business, and a motion to adjourn was made by Al Ferron and seconded by Jerry Heslinga. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Buffone
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