HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Conference Room – Senior Center
Present: Rev. Dr. Jerry Heslinga; Richard Mansfield; Susan Sullivan; Faye Ellis;
Jacquelyn Kelly; Jim Robinson; Louise Charbonneau; Maureen Buffone;
Cheryl Owoc.
The minutes of the January 5, 2012 meeting were approved and accepted.
F.H.C.O.A. REPORT ~ Barbara Anger
The account balances were not available for the meeting.
Faye Ellis reported that the Friends formed an outreach group that will go to the businesses in town to let them know about the senior center. They will also bring our newsletters, especially to the doctors’ offices. Jacquie recommended posting the newsletter on the bulletin board at the town hall and the Starbard building.
HELP AT H.O.M.E. REPORT ~ Jim Robinson
Jim distributed the Help at H.O.M.E. financial report for the period ending March 31, 2012. Disbursements totaled $5,388.47 and receipts totaled $315.00. Overall, the fundraising for the season was just shy of $17,000.00, which was the highest we have received in any past year. The balance in the Help at H.O.M.E. account is $12,599.45. The balance in the Welcome Aldrich account is $15,563.89.
Help at H.O.M.E. was an honoree at the Chamber of Commerce Salute Breakfast on April 11th.
BOARD OF ELDER SERVICES REPORT ~ Richard Mansfield
Rick reported that Elder Services is in the process of moving their Chandler Street offices to Millbrook Street. Elder Services is also doing outreach work by going out to area businesses. They are also looking at changing their logo. There are a lot of new programs in the works. Rick will work on taking one area each month and reporting on that.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT ~ Louise Charbonneau
Louise was away from March 8 to April 2. Some of that time was vacation time. The last week, she attended the NCOA Conference in Washington, D.C.
BUDGET HEARING
Our budget hearing took place on Wednesday, March 21st. The hearing had been held at the Light Department. Jacquie handled our hearing. Louise’s understanding was that it went well without too many questions or issues. She thanked those who were able to attend.
Senior Center 1130 Main Street Holden, MA 01520 Phone 508.210.5570 Fax 508.829.0214
NEW BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT PROGRAM
We are very pleased to announce the beginning of a monthly Bereavement Program. It is facilitated by Carol Recchion, MDiv. and takes place the 2nd Monday of each month. It began March 12 at 4:30 p.m. Carol comes highly recommended by some people who have attended her group at other sites. Her salary for March through June is being funded through the Formula Grant.
MEAL SITE
In February, Louise met with Marie and Jodie from Elder Services. They wanted to discuss how we can increase the participation for the meal site. The first question they asked was why we get 67 for a meal cooked here and they’re not getting close to that. While Louise thought the answer to that question was fairly obvious, she made the suggestion that there are some things they could do to improve their participation. One suggestion was to allow us to cook the vegetables here. They put that idea into effect the next week and it’s been well-received.
It seemed important to them that the Dining Site be “named.” So during the month of March we are running a contest to Name the Meal Site. Entries can be e-mailed to Louise, or they can be mailed or dropped off at the office. We received several entries. A final decision will be made tomorrow or Monday.
HOME COOKED MEALS
Our home cooked meals have been well received. So far we have served Roast Beef (60 people); Roast Pork (67 people) and yesterday we served Beef Stew (78 people). A big thank you goes to Dan Deptula, Jim Ringgard, Steve DeWitt and Adam Hickey from the DPW for helping us on the days we cook, and to DPW Director John Woodsmall for sharing them with us and allowing them to be taken away from their other duties.
UP-COMING TRIPS
The gentleman we worked with to plan trips through Ritchie Bus left there; so, on his recommendation, we have begun to work with a company named Destinations Unlimited. We have signed up for two (2) trips with them, Wednesday, May 2nd to Foxwoods Casino to see the show “Vicki” starring Vicki Lawrence; and Tuesday, July 3rd to “Boston Harborfest 2012” to see the Tall Ships.
CALLING CARE SYSTEM
The Calling Care System (RUOK) has been moved to the HPD, which is the appropriate place for it. We can still set no call dates, make additions and deletions, etc. remotely from here.
SENIOR FINANCIAL SAFETY PROGRAM
Leominster Credit Union is offering a 4-part program on Senior Financial Safety. The first one is today at 3:00 p.m. and will continue each Thursday until Thursday, April 26th.
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION
Volunteer Recognition will be held on Monday, April 23rd at noon. A luncheon will be provided through Toupins Catering. Awards will be presented and entertainment will be a musical program by Young at Heart. All of you, by serving on this board, are volunteers so if you’d like to attend, please let Maureen know as soon as you can.
MAY BOOK DISCUSSION
The book discussion group will meet on Thursday, May 10 at 10:00 a.m. and will be discussing Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson.
SOME STATISTICS FROM FEBRUARY AND MARCH
February -- Ron Rosenstock Presentation – 75
Ice Cream Social – 25
Coffee with the Librarian – 18
Home cooked Lunch – Beef Stew - 78
March -- Dave Downs on Clutter Control – 50
Bereavement Support Group – 10
Tea with Tina Bemis – 24
Protecting Your Home Legal Presentation - 80
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
There was no old or new business to be conducted.
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, May 3, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. at the Holden Senior Center.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Buffone
APPROVED: June 7, 2012
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