COUNCIL ON AGING MINUTES
JUNE 11, 2014
Present: Council on Aging Members Irving Goldberg, Jack Jordan, Mary Gaffney, Jean Noussee, Marijo Gorney, Jack Dorsey, Norah McCormick, Council on Aging Director Lynne Waterman and Outreach Coordinator Darlene Perkins.
Absent: Virginia McIntyre
Also Present: Selectman Wayne Taylor
Chairman Irving Goldberg opened the meeting at 8:32 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - May 14, 2014
Motion: Mr. Jordan moved to approve the minutes of May 14, 2014, seconded by Jean Noussee. Vote unanimous
Public Comments
None
COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Director Lynne Waterman distributed her report for the month of June. The Director met with staff from a local companion agency to plan a Parkinson’s support group which will be held once a month at the Senior Center, with a local audiologist to plan a hearing loss support group and with staff from the Samaritans to plan a training for the public on how to recognize signs of suicide. Also, the Director and Activity Coordinator met with staff from a local home care agency to plan a breakfast program which will begin in August.
The Director stated two tires were replaced on the van and thanked the DPW staff who replaced the broken door on the shed, repaired the crack in the parking lot, fixed the automatic front door and replaced some recessed ceiling lights. She also noted that the front door and the nutrition site door were re-keyed for security purposes.
Director Waterman reviewed several of the meetings she attended which included staff from the Parkinson’s Support Network, Mashpee Cares, and staff from the Health Department of the Wampanoag Tribal Council to discuss how we can work together.
The Director stated she is still contacting Elder Services of Cape Cod and Islands staff to request a candidate to work as our afternoon receptionist.
The Director thanked Judy Genge who coordinated a wonderful volunteer recognition luncheon in May and also thanked the Council on Aging Board members for their help especially Mary Gaffney for acting as MC.
The Director also thanked the gardening volunteer who planted annuals in the entryway pots.
Director Lynne Waterman stated she signed the annual Memorandum of Understanding with Elder Services of Cape Cod regarding the nutrition/ Meals on Wheels program and the RSVP (volunteer) program.
The Director noted her goals were to prepare the annual formula grant, complete tasks for end of the fiscal year and plan fall programs.
There was a discussion on the Tribal Council and their interaction with the Senior Center.
Motion: Jean Noussee moved to accept the Director’s report, seconded by Jack Jordan. Vote was unanimous.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Director Waterman distributed the Treasurer’s report for the month of June. She reviewed the budget to date and gave a brief update on the energy costs.
Motion: Mary Gaffney moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Jeanne Noussee. Vote unanimous.
OUTREACH COORDINATOR’S REPORT
Darlene Perkins, Outreach Coordinator distributed her report. The Outreach Coordinator stated May 15th was the last day to send applications for Fuel Assistance and that we helped 40 residents apply for assistance. She noted that this program helps residents to pay for their heat and also gives them a discount on their electric and gas bills October thru October if they are approved.
The Outreach Coordinator reviewed her home visits and client contacts by phone and visits in the office. Her home visits included seniors and families needing help with medical treatment support and transportation. The office visits included working with seniors in finding affordable housing in home services, transportation and applying for programs that help with supplementing their income.
Darlene Perkins said the “Brown Bag” program served thirty-two seniors this month and we had five volunteers. She said she continues to make referrals for homecare, medical insurance, housing, food and daily activities to seniors who are struggling to stay sustainable within the community.
She also met with the Mashpee Police Department concerning matters of seniors needing referrals for services.
The Outreach Coordinator spoke about the volunteers she met with which included our volunteer biographer. 13 Mashpee residents turned 90 plus and received flowers delivered by a volunteer and she is matching up new Friendly Volunteers with seniors who are isolated and need a “friend” to visit them regularly.
The Coordinator reviewed her meetings which included Elder Services of Cape Cod Annual Meeting of which she is serving as Clerk on the executive board. She also attended Cape Outreach Coordinator’s monthly meeting and the public nurse.
Motion: Jean Noussee moved to accept the Outreach Coordinator’s Report, seconded by Norah McCormick. Vote unanimous.
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR REPORT
Director Waterman distributed the Volunteer Coordinator, Judy Genge’s report. The Director announced that Judy will be retiring and she wanted to publicly thank her and stated she has done an amazing job and is the backbone of the volunteer program. Lynne said she will wait to July 1st to advertise this position. The Director reviewed the report highlighting four new volunteers signed up and they will be helping with the front desk and the newsletter. The Volunteer Coordinator attended the Coordinators Roundtable meeting which discussed volunteer management and tracking software tools. The Coordinator stated in her report that the volunteer luncheon was a real hit.
Motion: Jack Dorsey moved to accept the Volunteer Coordinator Report and to send a letter to Judy Genge thanking her for her services, seconded by Marijo Gorney. Vote unanimous
ACTIVITY COORDINATOR REPORT
Director Waterman distributed the activity coordinator report and stated the Activity Coordinator, Christine Foisy, attended the staff meeting and reviewed upcoming programs and discussed the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon to be held on May 15. The Coordinator listed several programs held: Intergenerational game day with children from the Boys and Girls Club which was a fun day for all; the Tick and Lyme Disease Prevention program; Virtual Dune Tour; Mother’s Day Bracelet Making.
The Coordinator met with computer instructor to discuss and plan computer classes for September, October and November. She attended the volunteer recognition luncheon at which everyone enjoyed the food and the program.
Other programs that were held were the 60’s Social Club, Social Dining Around, the Horizon Café Program, the Tai Chai Class, and the Cholesterol and Heart Disease program.
Motion: Mary Gaffney moved to accept the Activity Coordinator report, seconded by Jack Dorsey. Vote unanimous.
Old Business
Chairman Irving Goldberg noted he inquired about the appointment process and stated the members no longer have to apply for reappointment to this committee but need to sign the book at the Clerk’s office at the end of each term. He urged the members to check their expiration dates. The Director listed their terms:
Jack Dorsey - June 30, 2014
Marijo Gorney -June 30, 2014
Jack Jordan - June 30, 2014
Mary Gaffney - June 30, 2015
Ginny McIntyre -June 30, 2015
Jean Noussee -June 30, 2015
Irving Goldberg - June 30, 2016
Norah McCormack - June 30, 2016
Vacancy – June 30, 2016
Chairman Goldberg also noted the committee will need to reorganize after July 1 and elect the officers for the upcoming year.
New Business
Selectman Wayne Taylor commented on the Volunteer Luncheon and what a great time it was. He also stated he would like to have the town send a thank you to Judy Genge for her services and stated it is important to recognize our volunteers.
Director Waterman mentioned World Elder Abuse Day on June 15, 2014. Elder Services of Cape Cod are asking people to wear purple on that day.
The Director also noted she attended the Aging and Disability Conference sponsored by the Barnstable County Health and Human Services Department. It was a fabulous conference with a lot of great workshops. Kathy Bailey, Director of Yarmouth Senior Services, was the main speaker and spoke about having the World Health Organization designate Yarmouth as an Age Friendly Community.
Lynne spoke about an article in the Mass Municipal Bulletin regarding senior health statistics and metrics. She will make copies of the article for next month’s meeting.
There was a discussion on the hoarding issue. The Director explained there are two sides: One is the social service side and the other is the enforcement. The Outreach Coordinator noted hoarding is recognized as a mental health issue.
Jack Dorsey asked if the members would like him to make a request of the Men’s Club for a donation of flowers. The members thanked Jack for his suggestion.
Jack Dorsey noted at South Cape Beach there is a program “A Walk on the Beach” on Fridays. There is no charge and it is run thru Waquoit Bay.
Lynne Waterman said at 10:00 everyone is invited to the fire department to recognize the new captain, lieutenant and deputy fire chief.
Motion: Jean Noussee moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Jack Jordan. Vote unanimous.
Meeting adjourned 9:35 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Judy Daigneault
Recording Secretary
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