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News/Events - Meeting Minutes

Members present: Rocky Carrabes, Jim Harmon, Brendan Lynch, Pam Davis-Chairman, Audrey Reidy, Joan Powers, Florence Choate – COA Director, Shawn Harris – Liaison.

1. Meeting was called to order at 6:07 PM

2. Minutes of August 12, 2009 meeting accepted with correction

3. Staff and Director Reports: Florence Choate reported that the new van had arrived and is in service. Formula grant approved - $25,179.00. There are rotting boards and insect damage seen when work was done on the front of the building. Florence will contact Mike Breen regarding insect spraying. Two new staff members: part time outreach worker, Kathy Stimpson (formula grant) and programmer, Lane Gauthier (federal grant). Outreach coordinator handled several fuel assistance renewals in August. Transportation provided 509 total rides for the month. Programs: participation dropped off in the summer. Classes will resume in September. Two trips planned. No other trips will be planned for Nov. and Dec. COA is working with the library to run education programs for senior issues in the near future.

4. Old Business: Pam attended Recreation board meeting to discuss collaborative effort for new community center and they want to join with the COA in the endeavor. Board of Selectmen want to put that project on hold and directed Tricia Vinchesi to determine interest of other departments to move into Gates school if a new school can be built. Selectmen also agreed that feasibility study money will be held for possible use at a later date if community center can’t be built. COA board wants to look at the status of the Gates School and community center every 2-3 months. Board members will take a field trip to Duxbury and Bourne COA’s to see their layouts and how they function, particularly adult daycare/Alzheimer’s program which would be beneficial in Scituate.
In response to questions from Joan Paley, senior citizens will be advised that we are looking at a move in the future to either a community center with recreation department or a remodeled Gates school via the senior newsletter and local newspapers to get their input. The board doesn’t feel a move to a combined facility would do anything other than benefit the seniors by offering additional programs. There would be no loss of any services offered today. Discussion held about why more seniors aren’t using the center. It’s a problem everywhere and may be because seniors are so active outside the center.

5.New Business: SSES – Joan Powers reported the drastic cuts made to home care assistance throughout the area. People are now on waiting lists for assistance unless they’re in hospice or coming home from the hospital. This doesn’t affect meals on wheels.

6. SSA – no news to report

7. Meeting adjourned at 7:05PM
Respectfully submitted, Rita Rozen