HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Conference Room – Senior Center
Present: Rev. Dr. Jerry Heslinga; Louise Charbonneau; Albert Ferron; Cheryl Owoc; Barbara Anger; Sue Sullivan; Jim Robinson; and Maureen Buffone
The minutes from the October 1, 2009 meeting were approved and accepted, with the words "up to" added to the last line of paragraph two under "Help at Home Report" between the words "for" and "50%."
F.H.C.O.A. REPORT ~ Barbara Anger
Barbara reported that the Friend's have elected Helen Holmes as their new treasurer. They are currently going through the process of changing over the checks and statements.
The account balances were reported are as follows:
Commerce Bank |
$10,772.45 |
Leominster Credit Union |
$6,188.98 |
C.D. |
$22,837.13 |
The Best of Friends Fair will be held on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This is the Friends' biggest fund raiser.
HELP AT HOME REPORT ~ Jim Robinson
Jim submitted a financial report dated October 31, 2009 showing a combined balance of $29,747.21. Total receipts amounted to $110.00, and the quarterly interest income amounted to $78.61. There was a fuel oil delivery in the amount of $537.21, and a light department payment for $1,000.00. There was also $710.42 paid out in administrative expenses for printing of flyers, mailings, etc.
Jim reported that HCTV will fund the printing of the updated 2010 Help @ HOME booklets. Rev. Heslinga voiced his concern about Help @ HOME funding a recreation program. He will be attending their next meeting, along with Al Ferron.
Jim updated last month's report on the potential for solar panels on some of the town's buildings. The MTC told them after the fact that they ran out of money. However, they are in the process of coming up with two (2) other programs. There is an opportunity for an energy efficiency grant under the federal stimulus program.
BOARD OF ELDER SERVICES REPORT ~ Rick Mansfield
No representation.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT ~ Louise Charbonneau
Louise outlined November’s highlights as follows:
Wed., Nov. 4~Creative Writing; Thurs., Nov. 5~HCOA Board Mtg.; Movie “My Life in Ruins;” Mon., Nov. 9~Alternative Medicine Speaker (Dr. George Rhoads-Fallon); Tue., Nov. 10~Veterans’ Day Observance (Rev. Dr. Jerry Heslinga will offer remarks on the importance of Veterans’ Day); Thurs., Nov. 12~Movie “Seven Wonders of the Wild West;” Mon., Nov. 16~Four Get Me Notes; Wed., Nov. 18~My Life in Photography-Ron Rosenstock; Thurs., Nov. 19~Movie “The Time Traveler’s Wife;” Mon., Nov. 23~Shifting Gears Program (Registry of Motor Vehicles); Thur., Nov. 26~Thanksgiving~Sr. Ctr. Closed; Fri., Nov. 27~Veterans’ Meeting.
Louise was notified by Rich DeWitt that the repair work to the roof will be started fairly soon. Louise received an email from Jacquie Kelly that Brian Bullock is asking every department to look at their budgets for a possible five percent (5%) cut.
There is no new information on additional flu shots. Louise will call Maureen Sendrowski at the VNA in early December for an update.
Louise passed out the two (2) sample van designs for Oriol for the new senior van. The board agreed unanimously on one of the designs.
Cheryl Owoc presented a workshop on Maintaining Professional Boundaries at the MCOA conference last month, which was attended by 36 people. It was very well received, and Cheryl would be happy to do it again. Cheryl attended a workshop entitled "Bag It-Outreach in a Bag." This is a unique approach to offering outreach services to homebound/at-risk clients through using the "C.A.P.E. Bag" (Carry All Personal Essentials). Cheryl is very excited about the idea of replicating this program for the seniors in Holden. Jim Robinson agreed this serves a wonderful purpose and offered to help Cheryl.
Cheryl also presented a two (2) night workshop last week at the senior center on Balancing Elder Care and Work. This was attended by three (3) people on Tuesday and seven (7) on Thursday. There are enough materials left to do another program in the future.
We finally have enough seniors to continue the pen pal programs. There are several seniors that will be taking two (2) pen pals. The seniors and students will not be meeting this fall. Instead, they will get to know each other through their letters, the first one being "All About Me."
Louise and Naomi attended a meeting at the WRTA on Tuesday for the New Freedom Grant. This is a new transportation service for ADA-eligible people with disabilities traveling between Holden and Worcester. Service will begin on December 1, 2009.
The Senior Center's annual Christmas Party will be held on Monday, December 7th at noon. Toupins Catering will be preparing a menu of Tossed Garden Salad, Freshly Baked Raisin Bread, Top Loin of Beef, Whipped Potatoes, Maple Glazed Carrots and Apple Pie a la Mode. Elliott Lockwood will provide the music. The ticket price is $14.00, and the Friends are subsidizing $4.00 of every ticket. Toupins will have their raisin bread for sale at $4.00 a loaf.
The Mountview School Christmas Breakfast will take place on Thursday, December 10th at 9:00 a.m. The Rotary Christmas Breakfast will be held on Saturday, December 19th at 9:00 a.m. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. The Wachusett Singers will be performing. Seniors from Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling, West Boylston and Boylston are invited.
The Senior Center's New Year's celebration is scheduled for Tuesday, December 29th at 12:30. Marti Sawyer will provide musical entertainment, and refreshments and mocktails will be served.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
CITIZENS' ADDRESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 a.m.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. at the Holden Senior Center.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Buffone
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