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News/Events - Meeting Minutes

1. Meeting called to order at 6:05PM
In attendance: Acting Chair Val Baker, Rocky Carrabes, Jim Harmon, Brendan Lynch, Pam Davis
Acting COA Director: Florence Choate, Liaison: Shawn Harris

2. The minutes from the January meeting were accepted.

3. Staff Reports
Florence reported that the front doors were replaced and they are pleased with the outcome. They are waiting for additional keys for the crash bar.

The problem of the budget and expenses has been solved, and is being addressed. Expenses covered by Formula Grants were being charged to the general operating account, resulting in a surplus in the Grant account at the end of the year. Grant timetable is July 1 to June 30th. Grant money comes in 3 months after the start of the grant. All services were provided as required by the grants during the time period but were coded incorrectly. It’s possible we may be able to use the surplus monies for additional repairs.

Florence is having difficulty getting a contractor to repair the back stairs. Val suggested we replace with a ramp instead so that the director’s office could be used as an entrance during programs. Rocky believes we may lose a parking space with the ramp but we should look into it. Jim will contact a contractor he knows. The window in Nancy’s office is very drafty and will fall out if pushed. It provides no insulating benefit and should be replaced with the money coming from this year’s budget. Money in the ‘08 budget was to repair the roof and replace windows. There is still $9695.00 earmarked for maintenance.

The oldest van was detailed to eliminate odors but it wasn’t successful. COA has spent $3000. on van repairs in the last 3 months. Additional info is in the reports.

We have the felt to be installed on the pool table. SSA has spent $780.00 on the table to date and no one is interested in using it. It takes up too much valuable space. COA will look into finding someone who could use it and is willing to pay for moving it.

Val asked if the programs listed in old newsletters were still in place. The book club is in place at Central Park but COA doesn’t take credit for it, the men’s club and the writing group no longer exist and no one has called.

Only 4 people have signed up for Thursday night yoga. Val asked that the newsletter highlight the Wed. morning yoga so people realize it is not being replaced by the Thursday class.

The Outreach program received 153 phone calls, had 30 office visits, and 8 home visits.

Transportation reported a total of 429 rides. The Link van is under the T control and is not age restricted but the rider must be disabled. Rides are arranged by Q for out of town medical rides.
The MAP van is paid for with grant funds and provides rides to medical appointments on Tuesday in Norwell, Weymouth, Cohasset and Brockton. MAP is shared by Scituate, Cohasset, Hingham, Hull and Norwell. The Ride is for the handicapped, who are driven to Cohasset to connect with the bus.

Florence said SCOA is on the state’s list for a new van. Their program covers 80% of the cost and we are responsible for the remainder.

4. Budget Report
Florence is working with Mary Gallagher to put more funds into the van repair budget.

5. Old Business

a. Funds for Feasibility Study
Val stated that the Feasibility Study funding is on the agenda for the upcoming Selectman’s meeting. We may have a problem as we expected to have $24K but there is only $19K left over from the old senior center project. Ric Agnew wants the item voted on at the Town Meeting in March. Someone needs to be willing to take over the project. The board wants to proceed with the project. It was suggested that the remaining committee members work together (Brendan Lynch, Jim Harmon and Pam Davis). As we need someone with building experience, Brendan thinks we should contact Frank Snow and John Hallin to guide us through the feasibility study. Pam will call them. Shawn Harris was reminded that we need to replace 2 members of the COA board.

b. Vote for support of sidewalk proposal before CPC
A motion was made and passed to resend the letter to Barbara Lydon in support of the sidewalks in North Scituate.

Norm Paley noted that this is CPC money and the basis of the sidewalk program is for the school children’s safety, not recreation. This is almost a million dollars and it should be spent on the kids. Joan Paley stated that the $980K for recreational sidewalks is money tat could be better spent as funds are very limited and there are better suited projects.

c. American Legion Post proposal
Mr. Riley attended the meeting and stated that the needs of the Post are 2 hours, from 7-9PM on the second and fourth Thursdays. One night is the board meeting and the second is the general membership meeting. There are usually 30 members at the regular meeting. There would be no smoking or alcohol. They could probably change to a different night but want the change to be permanent. Tuesdays would work for them and Florence has no conflicting programs. No permanent sign can be placed on the building but they can place a flag out front on the night of the meeting. Additional storage space is needed upstairs for 10 standard size flags. The potential move to the COA building will be put to their membership for a vote and they’ll get back to Florence. Their Post commander, Mr. Thompson has just passed away.

d. Pool table
Because of the space taken up by the pool table and the fact no one seems interested in using it we may look at donating it or selling it. The felt is available for the top. Florence will put a notice in the newsletter one last time to see if there is any new interest in it. The fate of the pool table will be decided at the next meeting.

6. New Business
Val saw an article in the paper about the Duxbury Senior Center being painted by inmates from the Plymouth Cty. Sheriff’s office. Florence has contacted them and we are on the list for the painting of the exterior of our building. We have to provide the staging for the project. We hope the SSA can provide funding for the paint.

Val, as acting Chair, asked for someone to volunteer for the position of Board Chairman. There were no volunteers for the remaining 4 meetings. We are short 2 board members. Val suggested we rotate the responsibility until we get new board members. Brendan will chair the March meeting and Val will prepare the agenda. She is not eligible to be on the board after her term is up in June. Rocky will sign on again for a second term.

Brendan asked the listening audience if there was an auto dealer in town who is willing to donate a van to the SCOA.

7. SSA Update
The SSA annual appeal is ongoing and they continue to receive funds. To date they have received $7241.00 from 275 donors. Taking out the cost of the mailing, they have netted $3864.00. Last month SSA contributed $3000.00 for mileage reimbursement for volunteer van drivers. They also offset the cost of the After Christmas party at the senior center. They also fund 70-80% of the yoga program.

Pam asked how the COA keeps track of the senior roster for the town. COA mails 3200 newsletters monthly. The mailing list is updated when letters are returned and through the obituaries. It was suggested we use the Town Clerk records to update the list to pick up new people who have just turned 60.

Next month’s meeting is on March 12th. The meeting was adjourned at 7:12PM