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HOLLAND COUNCIL ON AGING
Minutes of meeting held on December 3, 2008
Meeting opened at 10:15 a.m. by Chairman Bruce Plumley.
PRESENT: COA members: Tom Baltazar, Harold Hewinson, Lowell Nixon, Olive Nixon, Bruce Plumley, Jack Reed, 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, Selectman Earl Johnson.
ABSENT: None.
MINUTES: Minutes of November 5, 2008 meeting accepted.
Mr. Alex Kowalski, a printer from Holland, was introduced to the Council. Alex believes he can save us money on printing. He provided some samples of how our newsletter would look if he did our printing, as well as describing other services he could supply including sorting and mailing. Deb Tierney will contact him about our specific needs and we will discuss this at our next meeting.
Selectman Earl Johnson attended our meeting, having applied to be an alternate member of the Council on Aging. Motion was made, seconded and approved to accept Earl as an alternate member of the Council. Memo to be sent to Selectmen, Town of Holland for approval.
REPORTS: Debbie Tierney, Outreach Worker
Deb reports successful program on 11/17 on Alzheimer’s disease and helping caregivers to cope. Holland Congregational Church donated $93.60 in materials. MassMedLine had to cancel their 11/24 visit, but have rescheduled for 12/8, to assist seniors with Medicare Part D prescription drug programs. Deb expects about 33 awards of Butterworth Funds this year. The Town Hall will be closed from Wednesday 12/23 to Monday 1/5/09, as it stands now. Deb plans to have the newsletter to the printer by 12/23. She will pick up 12/29 or 12/30 for mailing before the 31st. Please have submissions to the Outreach Office by 12/15 at the latest. Paul Gillis expressed concern about seniors who may not be able to get to the Center for a meal, clinic, etc. Availability
of services was reviewed. While it is possible to miss someone, the needs seem to be well covered.
In light of Town Hall being closed over the Christmas/New Year holiday, Earl recommended we pay Deb for the work she does at home or at the Senior Center over that time. Motion made, seconded and approved to pay Deb’s salary over the holiday period.
FINANCIAL: Susan Sanders, Treasurer
Receipts in November were: GSSSI $583.33. Expenditures in November were: Telephone $61.81, M. Crock salary $652.00, Deb Tierney wages $564.00, lawn care $31.40, trash pickup $31.21, electric $200.49, exercise classes $75.00, EWS Plumbing $95.00, managers’ wages $720.00, Roberts & Son $85.85, Osterman Propane $201.09, and Howlett Lumber $10.99.
SENIOR TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM: Margaret Crock and Harold Hewinson.
Year-to-date, $2,078. has been charged to the Senior Center. The Town Clerk has been charged $488., Assessors office $60., Holland Elementary School $656., Executive Secretary $72., and Tax Office $204.
SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR: Margaret Crock.
In November, 1001 contacts made, 143 seniors served, 262 attended the Senior Center, 129 attended congregate meals, and the balance includes cards & games (53), exercise (33), senior tax work off program (45), intergenerational activity (233), phone calls (80), computers (17), COA meeting (12), speakers (33 – Alzheimer’s), soldier cards (4), reception (100+). We also received a donation of 50 new chairs from Friends of Holland Seniors, a phone set with answering system from Barbara Lyons, a card shuffler from Honor Sullivan, tea and cereal from Ray Korny, emergency meals from GSSSI, and various craft supplies. Appreciation expressed to Bruce for support of a local family and for the Harvest Supper. The HCC plans to use the Center for two Christmas parties and will pay for kitchen
assistance and maintenance. The Church will also make a donation to the Memorial Fund to support future events. Paul states he will donate his time.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE: Margaret Crock, Deb Tierney, Olive Nixon, Linda Artruc.
Regular programs: Monday Mah Jong will be on hiatus during the winter; Tuesday 11:00 a.m. craft class; Wednesday 10:00 a.m. exercise class; 11:15 a.m. blood pressure clinic on 4th Wednesday; Thursday 12:30-3:00 p.m. cribbage; crafts from 1:00-3:00 p.m. with Linda Artruc. Other activities include card games, cribbage, puzzles and scrabble. On 12/1 the Holland Cub Scout troops came and we sang Christmas carols. On12/8 there is speaker from MassMedLine to help seniors with choice of prescription drug programs. Holland Congregational Church Christmas parties, from 10:00-4:00 on 12/14 and 4:00-9:00 on 12/20. On 12/17 from 11:30 to 3:00 there will be a Christmas celebration with dinner and Yankee Swap at the Senior Center. On 1/2/09 the American
Red Cross will conduct a blood drive from 1:00 to 7:00 (volunteers needed). COA meeting on 1/7/09 at 10:15 a.m. We plan to have a speaker in the near future from RMV about upcoming changes. 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. There has been no response yet from the Cultural Council regarding requests for entertainment at the Senior Center and theater tickets for seniors. We have not heard yet about the Grandparents Luncheon at HES in February. Other future meals include Mike’s pizza and our June anniversary. Regarding bingo, it is requested that Council member Tom Baltazar handle getting the approval needed. Holland Elementary School requests volunteers to count and roll change from various fundraisers – just show up during school hours. Even though our blood pressure clinic was
cancelled this month, we do have a kit available and people who know how to use it, if anyone needs their blood pressure checked.
BUILDING MAINTENANCE: Paul Gillis
No problems were reported with the facility.
KITCHEN MAINTENANCE: Don Sanders
Don reports that everything in the kitchen has been running well. He has not yet obtained the stove knobs he spoke of last month. GSSSI sent 90 free emergency meal packs that can be obtained at the Senior Center by those in need.
Motion was made and all of the above reports were accepted by the Council on Aging.
OLD BUSINESS –
Paul read a letter to be sent to the Norcross Foundation for funds to be used for outdoor activities and a shaded area for the seniors. Copies of revised job descriptions for the Kitchen Manager and Maintenance Manager were reviewed. Motion made, seconded and approved to accept the revised job descriptions. The After School Program survey conducted by HES indicates 35 students in grades K-6 are in need of this program over the course of each week. Consideration being given to hosting this program through a grant.
NEW BUSINESS -
Paul proposed an organizational chart for use by those who work at the Senior Center. Bruce will review this and will revisit it at the next meeting. Tom wants to join a preparedness task force. The Council is in support. Bruce also plans to take some of the training offered. Motion made, seconded and approved to have Tom be our representative at the MCOA.
Meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.
Submitted by: Susan Sanders, Secretary
Agenda
Meeting on January 7, 2009
Call to Order at 10:15 a.m.
Approval of minutes of December 3, 2008
Reports: Outreach, Senior Center Director, Program,
Senior Tax Abatement, Finance, Maintenance,
Kitchen, Old Business, New Business, Correspondence
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