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News/Events - Meeting Minutes

1. The meeting was called to order at 6:10PM. Those present: Acting Chair: Maura McMann, Co-Chair: Val Baker, Rocky Carrabas, Pam Davis, Interim COA Director: Florence Choate, Liaison: Shawn Harris.

2. The minutes of the May meeting were not available and will be approved at the next meeting.

3. Director’s Report: The COA is having repairs and maintenance performed as needed. The Methodist Church will be painting the main room soon. Someone is needed to inspect the windows as they are loose and need weather stripping. The HVAC system has been serviced. Florence would like someone to prioritize the needed repairs soon. Mr. Mills is a handyman who is going to repair / clean the gutters, and may do some additional work we may need. Next years budget will have $16K for repairs and money left over from this year will be rolled into that. Rocky will look at the building, and give Florence a list of things needing repair.
The Wednesday lunch was successful with 31 people attending. Lunches will change to Thursdays on July 3rd when a 4th of July party will be held. Dessert will be provided by Golden Living and there will be a singer for entertainment.
The municipal budget will be zeroed out soon. There will be balances in the revolving and gift accounts which carry over to the next year. We’ll be operating on about the same budget as fiscal ’08 and that may result in a 10% shortage if gas prices remain high and van repairs are extensive. Shawn asked how the 10% figure was determined and it is an estimate that would take into account an increase in utilities based on higher fuel charges. It’s an issue to be watched closely throughout the year. An increase in services we are called on to provide also will also affect expenses.
Florence has filed a letter of intent to apply for a federal grant from SSES. If approved, the money will be used to institute a program to identify isolated Scituate seniors who need assistance accessing help for depression or cognitive dysfunction. These funds would be available in October.
Florence thanked Val Baker and Tara Stone for their service as members of the Board of Directors the past six years. They have provided invaluable assistance to the town and Scituate seniors.
Elder services has been awarded an increase by the State, raising the rate per senior from $6.70 to $7.00. It’s up to the Secretary of Elder Affairs to determine how the funds will be allotted. There are approximately 3700 seniors in Scituate, those 60+.
Programs:
The quilting class was a huge success and will return in the fall. The arthritis class has been very well attended; it is only once a week until the fall. The new art class was also very successful. The trip to Foxwoods was lots of fun for everyone and the trips to the Cape and Rockport are going to take place.
There will be a Focus Group conducted with SSES on July 17th. The community is invited to attend and the primary focus will be mental health issues. There is a need to identify those seniors who need help. If the grant money comes in, it will fund extra staff who will work with these seniors assisting them in getting the help they need. The churches are doing an outreach program with the police and fire dept. The people who deliver for Meals on Wheels and the VNA are aware if someone needs help and can alert agencies who can get them the help, but there are people who get no services who drop through the cracks. Additional meetings of the focus group will be held if we get the grant money.
Outreach:
Nancy had a very busy month with several office and home visits.. She also assisted a senior who had no income at all, except for odd jobs, apply for and receive supplemental social security.
Transportation - The SCOA provided 428 van rides during May. Including the LINK,MAP, medical connection and volunteers the total was 523. The trips to Shaws and Walmart are a big hit and the seniors are very grateful for them.
Maura asked if we could start providing some sort of recreation (games and Bingo) at the various housing locations. When a new director is appointed for the housing authority we will attempt to set something up with them. It could be as simple as a get together with refreshments. We could each more seniors who don’t want to leave their homes to come to events at the senior center. Central does have organized scrabble but we aren’t aware of the other locations having anything organized. A study was done that showed people are not participating as much if events are held outside their homes. Nita Stroud will help by surveying the people at Central about a coffee hour or Bingo. She suggested it be held at the COA. A social event may be better received than games.

4. Budget Report
Florence is waiting for the final tally from Mary Gallagher. There will be $15K surplus from ’08 that she wants to earmark for van repair and gas.

5. Old Business
Feasibility Study – The selectmen appointed Jim Harmon and Pam Davis as user members of the PBC. Florence is a non voting member. Pam Davis reported that a meeting will be scheduled for June to meet with the Public Building Committee to discuss the possibility of remodeling the senior center. We would like to gain access to the second floor, making it handicap accessible, and have a private meeting room, storage and open space for activities.

6. SSA update – The SSA is going to host a lunch at the COA recognizing the Board and volunteers.

Nita Stroud asked if the American Legion would be interested in helping with the repairs at the COA. Florence is reluctant to ask as we don’t want to make people feel they have to “pay us back” for being able to use the building.
Shawn Harris stated that four people were appointed to the COA Board.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:05PM