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HOLLAND COUNCIL ON AGING
Minutes of meeting held on November 3, 2010
The meeting opened at 10:14 a.m. by Acting Chairman Tom Baltazar
PRESENT: COA members: Tom Baltazar, Lowell Nixon, Olive Nixon, Brad Noble, Jack Reed, Susan Sanders, and COA Alternate Earl Johnson. Others: Senior Center Director Margaret Crock, Manager Don Sanders, Linda Artruc, and Outreach Worker Debbie Tierney.
ABSENT: None.
MINUTES: Motion by Brad to accept the October 6, 2010, minutes was approved.
REPORTS
OUTREACH WORKER – Debbie Tierney
Debbie received a letter from Don Ashe, Registrar of Deeds for Hampden County. Thanking us for hosting them. Debbie also wrote a letter of thanks to Mr. Ashe and his staff. Debbie would like us to talk-up the Homewatch Caregivers presentation on November 15th at 4:30 p.m. On November 22nd, Gina Lynch of the Brimfield Senior Center, who is also a SHINE counselor, will present changes in Medicare which will take effect in January 2011. COA members are requested to attend so that they are familiar with the upcoming changes. We will probably hear the results of our grant application to GSSSI sometime in December. Fuel assistance is very busy. Linda Blodgett will give Debbie the Butterworth Trust information this month so fuel assistance awards can be supplemented. A Senior Aide is
still needed at Town Hall. Anyone over 55 and low-income with some office skills is a possible applicant. Applicants can see Kristen at Town Hall. Debbie will be away from Nov. 23rd through the 28th, returning on the 29th.
SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR: Margaret Crock.
In September, 940 contacts were made and 124 seniors were served. 316 attended the Center, 99 attended congregate meals. The balance Includes: Intergenerational activities (116), COA meeting (9), cards & games (64), exercise (65), senior tax work off program (36), Veteran’s Agent (8), stained glass (27), meetings and activities (16), crafts (12), computer (28), speaker (32), meetings (16), phone calls (90).
SENIOR TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM: Margaret Crock
As of October 31, 2010, the Senior Center has used the program in the amount of $3,086.00, the Assessor’s office $100.00, Tax Office $168.00, and Holland Elementary School $276.00. Total YTD is $3,630.00.
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; craft classes with Linda from 1:30 to 2:30, and Cribbage from 12:15 to 3:00 p.m. Some
folks would like to have games on Monday mornings and possibly movies on Thursday afternoons.
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. Monday 11/15 at noon Paul Braccioti will talk about Community Project Grants, and at 4:30 p.m. Judy Yaffee will tell us about Homewatch Caregivers Plans and Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension. On Tuesday 11/16 from 10:00 to noon – flu shots. On Wednesday 12/15 at noon we will hold our Christmas celebration. Yankee swap is $5.00. On 1/7/11 there will be a Red Cross Blood drive. Tentative dates include 2/28 or 3/7 for John Porcino, a storyteller, and 4/18 Richard
Clark with “Great Scott/Andrew Carnegie. Both of these will be funded by a Cultural Grant.
FINANCIAL: Brad Noble, Treasurer
August report includes: Receipts: GSSSI $630.00, gifts totaling $125.00, and stained glass dues of $90.00. Expenditures: Telephone $66.36, supplies $27.25, exercise classes $60.00, tea party $102.36, LaBlanc Electric $325.00, trash pickup $47.80, National Grid $74.94, printing/mailing newsletter $153.35, Citizens Security $75.00, lawn care $236.96, Osterman Gas burner service $193.50, and salaries $1,959.80.
MANAGER: Don Sanders – The electrician completed the fire alarm tie-in. Slim’s is coming on 11/12 for septic clean-out.
Motion by Tom to accept the above verbal and printed reports was made and approved by the Council on Aging.
OLD BUSINESS: MPLC Umbrella License for videos was discussed. It would cost about $160.00 per year. Motion by Brad to take no action to obtain the MPLC Umbrella License at this time was unanimously carried.
NEW BUSINESS: Tom made mention of using regular dinnerware at our meals instead of Styrofoam. This would involve more time for Don for clean-up. We will try this at upcoming lunches to gauge the feasibility. It was also suggested that meals be brought out on a cart and distributed by servers to each guest, rather than passing meals around the table. • Tom would like to conduct line dancing classes at the Senior Center after the first of the year. • A letter from Bruce Plumley announcing his resignation effective October 13, 2010, was shared with the Board. This creates an open position. Motion by Brad nominating Earl Johnson to fill the open position was unanimously carried. Motion by Brad nominating Sue Sanders to fill the open Chairperson position was unanimously carried.
Vice-Chairman Tom Baltazar submitted a letter of resignation effective immediately. Motion by Brad nominating Jack Reed to fill the position of Vice-Chairman was unanimously carried. These nominations require approval of the Board of Selectmen. Tom’s resignation leaves an open position on the Council. This position will be advertised at Town Hall, on cable and on the Town website. • Earl asked if we had a procedure for renting the Senior Center. Our current procedures were explained. He also suggests having a homemade simple meal once a month and see if we can break even. Margaret said that Wales goes to Worcester to the food bank. Linda offered to consult with Judy in Wales about how things work and will bring information to our next meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE: Memo from the Town Clerk that a mandatory seminar for employees regarding discrimination and harassment will be held on January 26, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. • Copy of minutes of Friends of the Holland Seniors was distributed.
Motion made by Brad to adjourn the meeting at 11:25 a.m. was approved.
Submitted by:
Susan Sanders, Secretary
cc: Selectpersons
Town Clerk
Agenda
Meeting on December 1, 2010
Call to Order at 10:15 a.m.,
Approval of minutes of November 3, 2010,
Outreach Worker, Senior Center Director
Program Committee, Senior Tax Abatement
Finance, Facility Manager
Unfinished Business, New Business, Correspondence
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