HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Conference Room – Senior Center
Present: Jerry Heslinga, Richard Mansfield, Susan Sullivan, Faye Ellis, Jim Robinson, Louise Charbonneau, Maureen Buffone.
A motion to accept the Minutes from the November 8, 2012 meeting was made by Rick Mansfield and seconded by Sue Sullivan. Motion passed.
F.H.C.O.A. REPORT
Faye reported the account balances as of November 5, 2012 as follows:
Commerce Bank $10,873.31
Leominster Credit Union $3,560.87
Leominster Credit Union C.D. $23,650.95
LCU Trip Account $4,109.93
The Valentine’s Day cookie sale will take place in February.
HELP AT H.O.M.E. REPORT ~ Jim Robinson
Jim submitted a Financial Report dated November 30, 2012 showing receipts in the amount of $4,523.17 and disbursements in the amount of $1,530.80.
Flyers are going out in the November light bill.
The process has been started to make Help at H.O.M.E. a town committee. It will need to be presented to the Board of Selectmen for approval, and the town manager will appoint members. Current members will be transitioned to the newly formed committee. The meetings and minutes will need to be posted. There will be a limit on the number of town employees on the committee. Jim wants to stay on the committee for continuity. He may have to file a disclosure. There are a number of other committees in town that need to be formalized. Jim is unsure of the timing.
Technically, the total amount of money in the Welcome Aldrich Relief fund is not available for disbursement, only the interest. Town Council will be contacted about the possibility of freeing up some of the funds.
BOARD OF ELDER SERVICES REPORT ~ Richard Mansfield
Rick reported that he attended the November Elder Services board meeting. He also said that it is a joy being on the board. There is a whole new group of board members, which consists of a great group of very active members. The current Chairman is an elder attorney.
The needs for Level 1 and 2 individuals are being met. There is currently a wait list of ten (10) people for Level 3 and 4.
Elder Services has stepped up their marketing and is now on Facebook.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT ~ Louise Charbonneau
Louise outlined December’s events as follows:
Mon., December 3 ~ Senior Center Christmas Party; Wed., December 5 ~ Latest in Hearing Aids;
Thurs., December 6 ~ Mountview Breakfast, Movie “The 12 Men of Christmas;” Mon., December 10 ~ Bereavement Support Group; Wed., December 12 ~ Music by the Silvertones, Talk on easy ways to change the negative patterns that create stress and anxiety with our chair yoga instructor Katie Cohen; Thurs., December 13 ~ Bone Density Screening, by appointment only; Book Discussion - Skipping Christmas: A Novel by John Grisham; Movie “The Christmas Shoes;” Sat., December 15 ~ Wachusett Area Rotary Club Breakfast @ The Manor; Thurs., December 20 ~ Movie “A Mom for Christmas;” Mon., December 24 & Tue., December 25 ~ Senior Center Closed for Christmas Holiday; Thurs., December 27 ~ Movie “Christmas in Boston.”
Stephanie Gabrielli has been hired as our new Meal Site Manager. Stephanie joined us in mid-November, taking over for Terry Black who retired. Stephanie is a wonderful addition to our center and is working hard to get to know everyone. She comes in around 8:45-9:00. If you have a moment, please stop by to introduce yourself and welcome her.
Louise gave an update on Barbara Anger and Mr. Ferron.
Barbara is now in Oakdale Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center. She had extremely high blood pressure which triggered a couple of strokes and subsequently dementia. As of this writing, it appears that this will be her permanent residence. Kim asked Louise to let everyone know that she enjoys receiving cards and notes and an occasional visit, but can only handle a visit of about 15 minutes or so.
Mr. Ferron has moved to Cortland Place, an assisted living facility in Greenville, RI, which is close to his youngest son, Rich and his family. This will be his permanent residence.
We do have both of their addresses, if you’d like to drop them a card or note.
NUMBERS FROM NOVEMBER
Home Cooked Lunch – 61 elders plus staff
Legal Presentation – 40
Greendale Men’s Chorus – 40
OLD BUSINESS
Jacquie Kelly brought the question of the Property Tax Work off Program to the department heads’ meeting and did not get an overwhelming response. Most department heads felt they would be creating things for people to do. It would also involve training, supervision and consistency.
After consideration, the board voted not to recommend that the Property Tax Work off Program be put into the budget. The motion was made by Sue, seconded by Jerry, and the vote was unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS
Maureen Locke and Rebecca Tornblom have been contacted to determine their interest in serving on the HCOA board.
Rick Mansfield reported that they held their Healing through the Holidays seminar last Saturday here at the senior center and had 49 people attend.
Louise reported that the firefighters held their Christmas Party here Saturday night. They also hosted their Halloween party here in October. Leah organizes these events and does a good job.
Margaret Watson sent an email to Clare. She is overly concerned that the library aides in the schools have been terminated.
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, January 3, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. at the Holden Senior Center.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Buffone
Senior Center 1130 Main Street Holden, MA 01520 Phone 508.210.5570 Fax 508.829.0214
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