H.E.A.T. is O.N.
MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 18, 2008 ~ 3:00 PM
HOLDEN MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPT
PRESENT: Brian J. Bullock, Town Manager; Jim Robinson; Jen Stanovich, Holden Area Chamber of Commerce; Linda Booker, Worcester Community Action Council, Inc.; Louise Charbonneau, Coordinator, Holden Council on Aging; Rev. Rich Simpson, St. Francis Episcopal Church; Jacquelyn Kelly, Assistant Town Manager; Cheryl Owoc, Outreach, Holden Council on Aging; Karen Halley, Wachusett Food Pantry; Donna Cross, HMLD; Donna Fitch, Energy New England; Jack Chandler, Holden Fire Dept.
Town Manager Brian Bullock opened the meeting at 3:00.
Mr. Bullock introduced and welcomed Jim Robinson to the committee. He announced that Cindy Shea from Hearts for Heat will no longer be attending our meetings. She did, however, ask to be kept informed of any information we may receive.
Brian contacted Susan Marsh to assist with graphic design for the informational materials. She was unable to attend this meeting, but hopefully she will be able to attend a future meeting.
Fund Raising Sub-Committee
Karen Halley reported that the fundraising group had met on Aug. 26th. They talked about Holden Martial Arts doing a fundraiser. They did one last year through the schools. This year they are talking about doing it for H.E.A.T. Holden Womens Club called and would also like to get involved in fundraising. Wachusett Fitness will hold their annual Turkey Trot to benefit the Food Pantry. Karen told them they can also do it for H.E.A.T. They are going to support the food pantry this year, but whatever they do with the money raised is ok.
The outhouse was discussed as a fundraiser, but there is a lot of labor involved in that. Brian suggested that Karen move on the Holden Martial Arts fundraiser. Karen will present to the Board of the Food Pantry next week relative to sharing the proceeds from the Turkey Trot with the Welcome Aldrich Fund. She invited this group to attend their meeting next Tuesday at 7:00 at the First Baptist Church.
In that the Municipal Light Department offers gift cards, Brian would like to talk to the Big Y to see if people could purchase $20 Big Y Gift cards for $25 and have $5.00 go to the Welcome Aldrich fund. The manager of Talbots has suggested using their store for seminars.
Clergy Outreach
Rev. Simpson reported that there was a lot of support at their meeting.
St. Francis will donate their Christmas offering to the Welcome Aldrich fund, which averages about $5,000.00.
Fuel Assistance/Heating
Louise reported that Worcester Community Action Council had come to the senior center on September 10th and serviced 40 families. They will come out again before November 1st, if there are at least 10 people that sign up before that time.
It was discussed that we recommend offering a minimum amount of heating oil to each recipient that applies for heating assistance (i.e., 150 gallons) to the Committee that oversees the distribution of funds from the Welcome Aldrich Fund. Up until this point the committee decided the amount purchased/spent on a case by case basis.
The oil companies will be looking for deliveries of at least 100 gallons, to make it worth their while. Peterson Oil has quoted a price to the Town of Holden of $3.38. If Jack Namiotka is able to meet that price, then he can get the business.
Energy Conservation
Donna Cross stated that from an energy standpoint, people need guidance. They have flyers, but it is not registering, they are not making the effort. Do we need more public outreach? If a person gets oil, should they be educated on ways to make their oil go farther? Energy New England helps as many customers as they can by offering energy conservation tips over the phone. HMLD suggest energy audits to their clients.
Brian and Donna Cross will talk about creating tips. It was suggested that follow-up visits be made to Welcome Aldrich recipients to educate them on energy conservation.
Foreclosures
There is a meeting next week with municipalities. Brian will try to attend. This is a government subcommittee - having neighbors looking out for each other.
Heating Safety
Jack Chandler came up with a couple of pages of information which he gave to Cheryl. They hope to have pamphlets available for Public Safety Day, which is October 5th. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Cheryl drafted a pamphlet and asked for suggestions from others. She has a few more things to add before printing. Cheryl’s vision is to have the pamphlets available in the library, town hall, churches, food pantry and on the website. Mark asked if it would be available to other towns.
Jen Stanovich was asked if there was any opposition to doing anything with the chamber. She said they have partnered before with groups. They can have someone come in.
Brian would like the group to work on promoting the idea of Neighbors Helping Neighbors.
NAMING THE COMMITTEE AND MISSION STATEMENT
Some of the committee members feel that HEAT is ON gives the impression that we only deal with heating issues. Some other suggestions are:
HERO - Holden Emergency Response
HOPE - Helping Others Prevent Emergencies
As we put mission statement together, what are we trying to solve? What we do this year, we will continue to build on next year. Karen and Cheryl will meet before the next meeting to work on a name and a mission statement.
Donna Cross asked if Hearts for Heat is something we are going to pursue. We need delineation between the two. There may not be a Hearts for Heat in Holden. They think Holden is doing OK on their own. If we do Hearts for Heat, Peterson Oil will not deliver. We are not in competition with Hearts for Heat.
Election of officers needs to be done. Whereas it was getting late, we will hold election of officers at our next meeting. Donna Fitch and Jack will work on flyer. Cheryl will compile all of the information for the pamphlet and get it printed.
It was suggested that we meet next week if we want some informational materials ready for October 5th. Our next meeting will be Thursday, September 25th at 3:00.
The consensus was that this group, through Louise, will make a recommendation to the HCOA board to purchase a “standard” amount of oil for each applicant to the Welcome Alrdich Fund asking for assistance with heat.
If we get the informational flyer finished by October 5th, it could possibly go in October’s electric bill. November’s flyer can be for Welcome Aldrich.
Jacquie will work on website. We will talk next week about Hometown Holden doing a segment on assistance this winter.
Jack asked if flyers can be put in buildings for Election Day. Louise will ask Kathy.
Jim will talk to Brian about foreclosure seminar. How big a puzzle are we trying to solve. Princeton spent $40,000 last year. Brian asked Linda if the Worcester Community Action Council received more requests for heating assistance than in previous years. She said there was a tremendous amount of over income people requesting help.
Meeting adjourned at 4:03 p.m.
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