HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Conference Room – Senior Center
Present: Rev. Dr. Jerry Heslinga; Richard Mansfield; Louise Charbonneau; Cheryl Owoc;
Barbara Anger; Albert Ferron; Rev. Dr. Paul Kennedy; Jim Robinson; Maureen Buffone
The minutes from the March 5, 2009 meeting were approved and accepted.
F.H.C.O.A. REPORT - Barbara Anger
The treasurer is still out on a medical leave. The estimated balances were reported as follows:
Commerce Bank |
$8,000.00 |
Leominster Credit Union |
$8,000.00 |
C.D. |
$22,083.39 |
The Friends will be changing the method of mailing the newsletters starting in June. They are currently paying $434.99 per month for postage, and to cut down on costs, the newsletter will be mailed only to seniors whose Friends membership is current. The newsletters will still be available for pick up at the senior center, and can also be viewed on line. At the present time, there are approximately 200 newsletters hand-delivered to Colony, The Oaks, Checkerberry and the nursing home.
HELP AT HOME REPORT - Jim Robinson
Jim submitted a preliminary financial report dated March 31, 2009 showing a combined balance of $33,700.00. The total Help at H.O.M.E. receipts for the month was $4,380.00 and $1,275.00 for Welcome Aldrich. There was $1,004.21 disbursed from Welcome Aldrich, and $8,000.00 transferred from Help at H.O.M.E. to the Welcome Aldrich account, which earns interest. Paula is working on some requests, but the numbers are not currently available. This information will also be submitted this afternoon to the Help at H.O.M.E. Committee. Al stressed that it is important to get away from saying Welcome Aldrich is just for fuel. Cheryl will let Melissa know it is for the "needy poor" and to be used for "life sustaining needs." Help at H.O.M.E. is a very broad outreach effort and resource to get information out to the
community.
BOARD OF ELDER SERVICES REPORT - Rick Mansfield
Rick attended last month's board meeting and is excited about all of the information available through Elder Services. There are many programs that he can talk about. Elder Services works to keep seniors home as long as possible. They have nurses on staff that provide care and have vendors available for care that they are not able to provide. However, they are anticipating major cuts in their budget.
COORDINATOR'S REPORT - Louise Charbonneau
Louise outlined April's events as follows: Thurs., April 2 - Movie "Nim's Island;" Mon., April 6 - The Wonders of Bog Ponds and Vernal Pools by the Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, Red Sox Home Opener on the big screen; Wed., April 8 - Stories from the Stones by Everett Mason; Thurs., April 9 - Talking with your Doctor; Mon., April 13 - Clara Barton Presentation; Tues., April 14 - Bob Beck will be here from 9:30 to 12:00 to answer computer questions, Greendale Men's Orchestra will play at 11:00; Thurs., April 16 - Movie "Widow's Peak;" Mon., April 20 - Sr. Center Closed-Patriot's Day holiday; Thurs., April 23 - Travelog "Northwest to the Max;" Fri., April 24 - Veterans Meet & Greet with guest speaker; Mon., April 27 -
Native American Music & Stories; Wed., April 29 - Hearing Loss Info; Thurs., April 30 - Movie "Daniel's Daughter."
Louise talked about the change in the newsletter mailing, starting June 1. The newsletter will be mailed only to those seniors with a current Friends' membership. Louise thinks we will see a change in numbers. Rick is concerned for shut-ins who will feel more isolated. Cheryl asked if there might be a group willing to fund the mailings. There should be a good indication after the summer about what the affect will be. Louise might be able to look at formula grant money, which she feels would be an acceptable expense for the formula grant. Jim asked if this should be raised at the Help at H.O.M.E. meeting. As a whole, the board does not want to see the mailing of the newsletter to stop, if there are other avenues.
Louise encouraged the board members to attend the budget hearing on Wednesday, April 8 at Memorial Hall in support of the senior center.
OLD BUSINESS
Jerry informed the board that the letter was sent to the governor expressing the board's dismay about the resignation of Secretary Festa, stating that the state will be hard-pressed to find someone else who would advocate as strongly for seniors.
There has been no progress on the purchase of the new senior van, as the state bid list is still not out.
NEW BUSINESS
None
CITIZENS' ADDRESS
None
ADJOURNMENT
It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 a.m.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. at the Holden Senior Center.
Respectfully Submitted,
Maureen Buffone
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