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Council on Aging Minutes 12/01/2010
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HOLLAND COUNCIL ON AGING
Minutes of meeting held on December 1, 2010


The meeting was opened at 10:17 a.m. by Chairman Sue Sanders

PRESENT:  COA members: Earl Johnson, Lowell Nixon, Olive Nixon, Brad Noble, Jack Reed, and Susan Sanders.  Others: Senior Center Director Margaret Crock, Manager Don Sanders, and Linda Artruc.  Also present was Diane Balderelli, a candidate for the open position on the COA.

ABSENT:  Outreach Worker Debbie Tierney.

MINUTES:  Motion by Earl to accept the November 3, 2010, minutes was approved.

OPEN MEMBER-AT-LARGE POSITION:  There were two applicants for the open position on the council, Mrs. Diane Balderelli and Mr. Paul Gillis.  Mr. Gillis was not in attendance, but was represented by Earl Johnson.  The applicants’ resumes were distributed to all voting members.  Diane expanded on her background and reasons for wanting to serve on the Council.  Ballots were distributed and collected.  The majority of votes were for Diane.  

REPORTS
OUTREACH WORKER – Debbie Tierney submitted a written report which was distributed to the membership.  There were three speakers in November as well as the flu clinic.  No speakers are scheduled for December since the calendar is full of holiday-related activities and the weather may not be cooperative.  The Town Christmas Party will be held on 12/16 at 1:00 p.m. at the Steaming Tender. It will be a $20.00 all-inclusive buffet and sign-up deadline is 12/9. • Lois and I will attend her annual VOC Christmas recognition dinner on 12/15. • Volunteers are needed for the VITA program which helps seniors file their income taxes and capture any refund due to them.  Training is in January. • We have not yet heard about the Title III grant application results. • The newsletter is due at the end of this month.  Any inclusions should be submitted by 12/16. • I would like to have an open house at the Senior Center in March, open to all ages and serving free food, so we can show off the Center and all we have to offer. • I would like to get involved with the Cable Commission, to learn how to enter notices on the local bulletin board for our activities.  • Town Hall is closed between Christmas and January 3rd.
SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR: Margaret Crock.
In November, 1094 contacts were made and 119 seniors were served.  303 attended the Center, 145 attended congregate meals.  The balance Includes: Intergenerational activities (245), COA meeting (10), blood pressure/flu clinics (24), cards & games (53), exercise (68), programs (43), senior tax work off program (22), other meetings (17), stained glass (30), SHINE speaker (18), crafts (10), computer (11), phone calls (95).

SENIOR TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM: Margaret Crock
As of November 30, 2010, the Senior Center has used the program in the amount of $3,646.00, the Assessor’s office $36.00, and Holland Elementary School $428.00.   Total YTD is $4,654.00.

PROGRAM COMMITTEE:  Regular programs:  Lunch is served every Monday as well as on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month – reservations, please.  Monday Veterans Services Agent at noon – reservations needed; Mah Jongg at 10:00 a.m.; Tuesday Stained glass classes from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Fee: $15. /month; craft class at 1:30 p.m. with Linda Artruc; Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Arthritis Foundation exercise program with Eva Pittsinger, COA meeting on the 1st Wednesday at 10:15, Tai Chi at 4:00 p.m. with David Masera; Thursday Computer classes at 10:30 a.m. with Linda Artruc – internet access, flower pot painting with Bunny Paquette, craft classes with Linda from 1:30 to 2:30, and Cribbage from 12:15-3:00 p.m.
Weekdays:  Card games, scrabble and puzzles available daily.  We have some activities after 3:00 p.m. to accommodate those who work.  We have exercise equipment available Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  No fee.  On Friday 1/7/11 there will be a Red Cross Blood drive.  On Monday 1/10 Officer Jeff Forcier will discuss safety issues.  On Wednesday 1/26 at 10:00 a.m. Town Clerk Kristen LaPlante will discuss discrimination and harassment.  On Monday 2/28 at 1:00 p.m. John Porcino, musician/storyteller will entertain, and on Monday 4/8 Richard Clark with perform “Great Scott/Andrew Carnegie.  Both of these will be funded by a Cultural Grant which has been applied for.

FINANCIAL:  Brad Noble, Treasurer  
August report includes:  Receipts: GSSSI $630.00, gifts totaling $375.00, and Formula Grant $1,750.00.  Expenditures: Telephone $69.28, supplies $19.96, exercise classes $60.00, Tai Chi classes $200.00, building supplies $17.75, trash pickup $53.84, National Grid $80.11, printing/mailing newsletter insert paper $8.79, stamps $10.36, class supplies $403.64, and salaries $2184.00.  Brad reports we are doing well on the use of propane.  Also, Margaret’s formula grant funds were received and she will begin to charge to this account in January 2011.

MANAGER:  Don Sanders – The septic system will need additional work, to be completed shortly.  The kitchen exit door needs repair to the automatic closing mechanism.  He would like to get some driveway markers to place around the flower beds so the snow plows can see where they are.  Motion by Brad to spend up to $30.00 on markers was unanimous.  
Motion by Jack to accept the above verbal and printed reports was made and approved by the Council on Aging.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:  Linda Artruc report on the lunch program at the Wales Senior Center.  Their lunches are all prepared on site.  Conducting our lunch program in this fashion would not be feasible for us. • Using china regular dinnerware and having cart service of meals has not been tried and testing will be postponed until January 2011. • According to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, our water well is not in compliance with DEP guidelines for a public water supply.  Therefore, we must limit our daily functions and many programs to no more than 22 persons in attendance.  We must also limit the number of functions in excess of 24 persons to a maximum for fifty-eight events per year.  If we are found to be in violation, severe financial penalties will be imposed.  All functions require prior approval by the Council.

NEW BUSINESS:  Tom submitted a report from the Friends of Holland Seniors.  A profit of $400-500.00 was realized from the ham dinner.  The Friends will be seeking 501 (c) (3) status.  

CORRESPONDENCE:  None.

Motion made by Jack to adjourn the meeting at 11:02 a.m. was approved.

Submitted by:  



Susan Sanders, Secretary  


cc:     Selectpersons
Town Clerk


Agenda
Meeting on January 5, 2011
Call to Order at 10:15 a.m.,
Approval of minutes of December 1, 2010,
Outreach Worker, Senior Center Director
Program Committee, Senior Tax Abatement
Finance, Facility Manager
Unfinished Business, New Business, Correspondence