HOLLAND COUNCIL ON AGING
Minutes of meeting held on October 1, 2008
Meeting opened at 10:15 a.m. by Chairman Bruce Plumley.
PRESENT: COA members: Harold Hewinson, Lowell Nixon, Olive Nixon, Bruce Plumley, and Susan Sanders. Others: Senior Center Director: Margaret Crock, Maintenance Manager: Paul Gillis, Kitchen Manager: Don Sanders, Outreach Worker: Deb Tierney, Activities Coordinator: Linda Artruc.
ABSENT: Jack Reed.
Minutes of September 3, 2008 accepted.
REPORTS:
OUTREACH WORKER: Deb Tierney
Deb addressed the Fuel Assistance Program which began today. All applications require appointments as applicants must provide documentation, and to protect privacy. • The Outreach Office received a donation of a document shredder from a senior citizen. A Fall Festival is to be sponsored by Friends of Holland Seniors, Inc. with the cooperation of the Holland Congregational Church and the PTO. This is a fundraiser with profit to be directed to the purchase of chairs for the Senior Center. On November 17th, Ginny Sinkoski will present the latest information on Alzheimer’s disease and care-giving. Holland Congregational Church is donating $100. of printed information for this event, and will make an announcement at services. On November 24th, Colleen
Massey of Mass Medline will address the changes in Medicare Part D that begin on November 15th. She will arrive at 10:00 a.m. to assist people individually with finding the best prescription plans for their circumstances. This will be done on-line in the computer room. These programs will be advertised in the newspaper, on cable, and in the next newsletter. The newsletter will go to the printer on or about October 17th. Submission requested no later than October 10th. Reminder: Deb is no longer available on Tuesdays.
SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR: Margaret Crock.
In September, 985 contacts made, 109 seniors served, 363 attended the Senior Center, 153 attended congregate meals, and the balance includes cards & games (109), exercise (39), senior tax work off program (18), intergenerational activity (128), phone calls (70), computers (14), COA meeting (13), entertainment program (31, includes trip to Big E), meeting with Friends of Holland Seniors (7), speaker (29, Lisi Coin), soldier cards (11).
SENIOR TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM: Margaret Crock and Harold Hewinson.
Year-to-date, $1,700. has been charged to the Senior Center.
FINANCIAL: Susan Sanders, Treasurer
Receipts in June were: GSSSI $583.33, and Formula Grant $1,750.00. Expenditures in June were: Telephone $0.23, M. Crock salary $652.00, Deb Tierney wages $573.40, electric $204.98, trash pickup $28.99, lawn care $266.73, misc. hardware $3.78, office supplies $88.72, managers’ wages $540.00.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE: Margaret Crock, Deb Tierney, Olive Nixon, Linda Artruc.
Regular programs: Monday 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Mah Jong; Wednesday 10:00 a.m. exercise class; 11:15 a.m. blood pressure clinic; Thursday 12:30 p.m. cribbage. Other activities include card games and scrabble. Our craft program, conducted by Hazel Miedzinski, has about 22 hats and mittens ready for the November Holland Elementary School luncheon at a date to be announced. An English Tea Party will be held on October 15 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Lunches are served every Monday, as well as on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. We are in need of a DVD/VHS combo for the crafts room. On October 28th there will be a flu clinic from 10:00 a.m. to noon. There is no charge. Requests for use of the Senior Center include the Red Cross for a blood drive on
January 2, 2009, and a private gathering on June 14, 2009. Paul expressed interest in a Latch Key program for Holland children. He will explore this program with Chairman Bruce Plumley and HES Principal Mary Lou “Lou” DiBella.
BUILDING MAINTENANCE: Paul Gillis
Paul reports no major problems with the facility, but a few minor ones. He is seeking someone skilled in heating and air-conditioning service. A proposed contracted was obtained from Tasse’s Heating and Air-conditioning. Paul will check on costs/schedules and report back at the next meeting. Paul has requested approval for $300.-$400. for some new electrical outlets on the wall where buffets are set up, to avoid overloading circuits. Motion made and approved to have outlets installed for no more than $400.00. It was noticed at a recent inspection that the Senior Center stove hood vents into attic space, instead of to the outside. A letter will be sent to Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to address this concern. Paul continues to work on funding for a
pergola at the Senior Center. Some flooring issues were discussed and will either be resolved or watched. Our order for cleaning/paper supplies was received from M. D. Stetson Company. Bruce has secured the use of the church’s marking machine and Paul has ordered the paint, for about $88.00, to re-stripe the parking spaces. Bruce will work with Friends of Holland Seniors as we attempt to fund the needs of the Senior Center.
KITCHEN MAINTENANCE: Don Sanders
Don reports that everything in the kitchen has been running well.
Motion was made and all of the above reports were accepted by the Council on Aging.
OLD BUSINESS –
Bruce is still working on thank-you letters to those who made our Senior Center possible. Bruce reviewed his attempts to resolve the issue of back pay owed to Linda Artruc. At this time, Linda has still not been paid for three weeks work. Bruce will continue to work on this with her, and he will review the Springfield Senior Aide Program manual.
NEW BUSINESS -
Use of the Senior Center was requested by the Sims Family for October 11th from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. Motion made and use was approved. Discussion took place about coverage of the Center before/during/after events. It was agreed that either Don Sanders or Paul Gillis will cover events as needed. Application received from Thomas Baltazar to serve on the Council. Motion made and accepted for Thomas Baltazar to join the Council on Aging.
Meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
Submitted by: Susan Sanders, Secretary
Agenda
Meeting on November 5, 2008
Call to Order at 10:15 a.m.
Approval of minutes of October 1, 2008
Reports, Outreach, Senior Center Director, Program,
Senior Tax Abatement, Finance, Maintenance Report,
Kitchen Report, Old Business, New Business, Correspondence
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