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HOLLAND COUNCIL ON AGING
Minutes of meeting held on November 4, 2009
Meeting opened at 10:25 a.m. by Chairman Bruce Plumley.
PRESENT: COA members: Tom Baltazar, Lowell Nixon, Olive Nixon, Brad Noble, Bruce Plumley, Jack Reed and Susan Sanders. Others: Senior Center Director: Margaret Crock, Manager: Don Sanders, and Activities Coordinator Linda Artruc.
ABSENT: Earl Johnson, and Outreach Worker Deb Tierney.
MINUTES: Motion to accept meeting minutes of October 15, 2009, was seconded and approved.
REPORTS: Debbie Tierney, Outreach Worker – Deb presented a written report listing events this past month including the flu clinic on 10/6 and the English Tea on 10/7. Both were well attended and we learned about herbs from Chris Haller at the Tea. Dave Delano from Overlook came and gave us information about this facility. He also extended an invitation for us to visit Overlook on Thursday, December 3rd, which includes lunch and free transportation for those who can board their mini-bus.
The newsletter went out on 10/29. Sturbridge Direct, our printer, will give us a quote to stamp, seal and address our newsletters and mail them under his bulk mail permit at $.22 each. Money saved could be put to good use. The Holland Church will hold its annual Thanksgiving Dinner on November 22nd at the elementary school with seatings at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. The newsletter insert has an order form for head count and/or delivery. As always, home delivered meals are available for those in need, and residents may also pick up meals to go. There will be speakers from Baystate and Fallon in November on senior health issues. Deb will be away from 11/20 until 11/30 on vacation. Butterworth Fund lost a significant amount of value this year and will only be able to help 20
applicants with $150.00. Unless the Activities Coordinator’s position is extended, we will lose Linda on June 30, 2010. We will try to get funding for the position again and recruit a new person 55 or older. Linda is limited to two years in the position as it is essentially a training program.
SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR: Margaret Crock.
In September 1212 contacts were made and 290 seniors were served. 390 attended the Senior Center, 116 attended congregate meals. The balance includes: Cards & games (76), exercise (32), senior tax work off program (9), intergenerational activities (318), phone calls (95), COA meeting (9), stained glass classes (26), blood pressure clinic, AVADA, flu clinic etc. (103), speakers (25), entertainment programs (49), meetings and activities (35), and crafts (14), computer (15), newsletter (7), and other (5).
SENIOR TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM: Margaret Crock
As of September 30, 2009, the Senior Center has used the program in the amount of $1,664.00 ($380. for the month) and the Town Clerk $84.00 ($52. for the month). Total YTD is $1,748.00.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE: Regular programs: Lunch is served every Monday as well as on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month – reservations, please. Monday Mah Jong at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (Chris Haller to teach Mah Jong on 11/18), Veterans Services Agent each Monday at noon – reservations needed; 2nd Monday Garden Club at 10:30 a.m.; Tuesday Stained glass classes at 10:30 a.m. and craft class at 1:00 p.m.; 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. BINGO will begin in January – please sign up. November events: We will be closed on Wednesday 11/11. November 16th Baystate Medical Center strength training. November 22nd Thanksgiving dinner at HES (see above); November 25th birthday lunch at noon; November 30th Fallon Community Health Center presentation after lunch. December events: December 3rd trip to Overlook
10:15 to 3:00; December 9th birthday lunch at noon; December 16th Christmas celebration from 12:00 to 3:00. January 8, 2010 – blood drive.
Due to grant cuts, HES will not have us for lunch with the 2nd graders. Alternative delivery for hats and mittens is being considered. Two grants for the spring have been applied for and I am awaiting decisions. Application being processed for TEMP person discussed last month. Tantasqua Jr/Sr HS wants us to let them how students can help the needy, i.e. shoveling, gardening in spring. There will be several intergenerational activities in November and December.
FINANCIAL: Brad Noble, Treasurer
September report includes: Receipts: GSSSI $583.33 and gifts totaling $210.00. Expenditures: Allied Waste $31.50, telephone $61.88, lawn care $31.50, National Grid $85.81, Eva Pittsinger $135.00, postmaster $154.57, tea party $72.58, Lois Dupre $362.47, security $75.00, and salaries $1,968.25.
Brad has added a year-to-date section to the financial report.
MANAGER: Don Sanders – Problem with one door which may or may not cost us for repair. There will be a grounds clean-up day on 11/7 from 10:00 to noon with lunch to follow. Volunteers welcome. He is working with Brian Johnson to be sure the parking lot is plowed when there are events at the SC. Linda Artruc offered to come and help on a weekend for an event. Bruce says having a second certified person is a good idea. Linda is interested. Having a permanent Activity Director came up for discussion. Presently no funds are available. Brad says we need an article at a town meeting with an amount. Needs approval by Finance Committee and Selectpersons.
Motion to accept all of the above verbal and printed reports was made by Jack and approved by the Council on Aging.
OLD BUSINESS – None.
NEW BUSINESS: Concern about newsletter errors was expressed. Suggestion made that Deb, Margaret and Linda look it over before it goes to the printer. Sue Sanders heard about a grant that may cover exercise classes and she will look into this. Brad has agreed to take over Harold Hewinson’s position assisting Margaret with the Senior Tax Abatement Program. Brad stated he has updated our handbook and copies are available.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
Submitted by: Susan Sanders, Secretary
cc: Selectpersons
Town Clerk
Agenda
Meeting on December 2, 2009
Call to Order at 10:15 a.m.
Approval of minutes of November 4, 2009
Reports: Outreach, Senior Center Director, Program,
Senior Tax Abatement, Finance, Manager,
Old Business, New Business, Correspondence
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