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HOLLAND COUNCIL ON AGING
Minutes of meeting held on September 2, 2009
Meeting opened at 10:20 a.m. by Chairman Bruce Plumley.
PRESENT: COA members: Harold Hewinson, Lowell Nixon, Olive Nixon, Bruce Plumley, Jack Reed and Susan Sanders. Others: Senior Center Director: Margaret Crock, Manager: Don Sanders, and Activities Coordinator: Linda Artruc.
ABSENT: Tom Baltazar, Earl Johnson, Outreach Worker Deb Tierney, and Judy Gaumond of Friends of Holland Seniors.
MINUTES: Motion to accept meeting minutes of August 5, 2009, was seconded and approved.
REPORTS: Debbie Tierney, Outreach Worker – Deb presented a written report listing events this past month, i.e. speakers from Harrington Hospital and Baystate Medical Center, as well as an appearance by “Mark Twain”, all arranged by Margaret and Linda. Upcoming speakers include Dave Delano from Overlook in Charlton with a virtual tour of its assisted living, skilled nursing and rehab facilities. Flu shot is planned for early October. We will try to get a public health person to discuss H1N1 and the possibility of a vaccine clinic independent of the annual flu/pneumonia clinic. The “Name That Baby” contest was on August 26th and was great fun. About 19 seniors brought pictures and about 27 guessed. There were 7 winners. There
will be variations of this game later this year. GSSSI: Farmers’ Market coupons are being distributed to income eligible seniors. Our newsletter goes out this week. There is an insert with information about Safe Link Phones and the Fall Harvest Festival fundraiser. On 8/25, Bruce and I attended a thank you dinner in Holyoke sponsored by VOC which administers the fuel assistance program, thanking small towns for taking applications for fuel assistance and food stamps. Fuel assistance begins again on October 1st.
SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR: Margaret Crock.
In August 1100 contacts were made and 96 seniors were served. 325 attended the Senior Center, 182 attended congregate meals, and the balance includes cards & games (84), exercise (35), senior tax work off program (13), intergenerational activity (170), phone calls (90), computers (22), COA meeting (11), stained glass classes (20), blood pressure clinic (4), speakers (24), entertainment programs (70), meetings and activities (9), crafts (33), newsletter (4), and meetings (13). Donations included various vegetables from our garden, Annette Langen, Alan Nason and the Nixons; herbs from Chris Haller; a rocking chair from Elena Thompson; a Singer sewing machine from Mrs. Rasys; a bird bath at our entrance from an anonymous donor.
SENIOR TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM: Margaret Crock and Harold Hewinson.
As of August 31, 2009 the Senior Center has used the program in the amount of $412.00 and the Town Clerk $32.00. Total YTD is $1,068.00.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE: Regular programs: Lunch is served every Monday as well as on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. Monday Mah Jong at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. 2nd Monday (8/10) Garden Club at 10:30 a.m.; Tuesday Stained glass classes at 10:30 a.m. followed at 1:00 p.m. by a craft class; Wednesday 10:00 a.m. exercise class, and COA meeting on the 1st Wednesday; Thursday 12:30-3:00 p.m. cribbage, and crafts from 1:00-3:00 p.m. with Linda Artruc. Card games, scrabble and puzzles available daily and BINGO will begin soon, possibly on a Wednesday, when gardening eases up. There will be no monetary prizes and no cost. Margaret is trying to obtain more funds from the Cultural Grant for more opportunities for
seniors.
September events: September 2nd COA meeting 10:15 a.m., September 6th Stageloft Theatre trip. September 9th blood pressure screening/cold and flu information, birthday lunch. September 14th, 10:30 a.m. Garden Club. September 21st 12:30 p.m., Nancy Bourke, Baystate Medical Center presentation. September 29th Orchard Valley’s “Chef Ray” cooking demonstration and luncheon.
October events: October 6th from 10:00 to 12:00 flu shot clinic – bring your insurance cards. October 7th – COA meeting at 10:15 a.m., AVADA from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., English Tea Party at 1:00 p.m. and Opacum Trust presentation from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. on The Lost Valley of East Brimfield. October 13th – 10:30 a.m. Garden Club. October 14th 12 noon – monthly birthday luncheon. October 17th Fall Harvest Festival. October 26th 1:00 p.m. Dave Delano from Overlook presents a “virtual tour.” Future use of the Senior Center includes two events approved at today’s meeting. January 2010
– Blood drive.
FINANCIAL: Susan Sanders, Treasurer
August report includes: Receipts: GSSSI $583.33 and gifts totaling $350.00. Expenditures: Allied Waste $31.50, Eva Pittsinger $135.00, telephone $64.20, lawn care $84.00, Outreach postage $123.20, petty cash $36.29, Outreach office supplies $76.35, National Grid $126.36, and salaries $1,687.65.
MANAGER: Don Sanders – Problem areas were weed-whacked and weed block installed. Ken will try to mow some of the weeded areas. Our trees cannot be pruned for a few more years. Hedges/bushes can be pruned/cut back. Trees on the side have a disease. Semi-annual fire system inspection has been done.
Motion to accept all of the above verbal and printed reports was made by Harold and approved by the Council on Aging.
OLD BUSINESS – None
NEW BUSINESS – Susan Sanders brought up the subject of expanding the COA Board from seven members to nine members. Bruce explained the rationale behind this. It is also suggested that the position of Secretary/Treasurer be separated into two positions, with Susan remaining as Secretary and Brad Noble, our former Treasurer, returning to the Board in the same capacity, bringing his knowledge and experience to this important position. These proposals require two week’s notice to the membership concerning changes in the Holland COA Rules and Regulations, Article 3 Membership, and Article 4 Officers. By increasing the Board size to nine members we expand our base and allow for greater likelihood of a quorum being present, as well as a greater pool to draw from for Board officers. The
recommended changes were distributed to all members present and will be given to those who were absent. The matter will be voted on at our next meeting.
COA Board training will be taking place across the State in October and November, in Sutton, Tewksbury, Pittsfield, South Hadley, Duxbury and Northborough. If anyone is interested, please see Sue Sanders for specific dates and times. Perhaps we could car pool. Most sessions are 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
Submitted by: Susan Sanders, Secretary
Agenda
Meeting on October 7, 2009
Call to Order at 10:15 a.m.
Approval of minutes of September 2, 2009
Reports: Outreach, Senior Center Director, Program,
Senior Tax Abatement, Finance, Manager, Friends of Holland Seniors,
Old Business, New Business, Correspondence
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