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News/Events - Meeting Minutes

Attendees: Jim Harmon, Vice Chair, Florence Choate, Director, Richard Mitchell,
Rocky Carrabes, Dale Balog, Gerard Fierimonte, Audrey Reidy

1. Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM

2. Introduction of new Board member, Richard Mitchell

3. Vote to elect new officers—Tabled until the full Board is present

4. Vote to accept the minutes of June, 2011 meeting—Unanimous

5. Staff & Director Reports:
--The Board packet this month includes an updated list of Board member,
phone numbers, addresses and email addresses.
--John Danehey has been named our Selectman liaison.
--Some of our programs have been suspended for the summer. Arthtitis exercise; Cardio exercise and Zumba will resume in September. The instructors set the schedule for many of our programs and fees for are established by the instructor and paid by participants. Meanwhile, we are using the space for smaller groups, Bingo, Scrabble. For large workshops, Mr. Danehey has suggested the GAR Hall. Being a Town entity, there would be no fee.
--The Formula Grant this year has been cut by $0.75 per Senior to $6.25 each. Since the 2010 census actually showed an increase of our senior population,
the total grant showed a slight increase in funds. When the check will be deposited remains to be seen since the State financial crisis is uncertain. We do have funds in other accounts that can be transferred by Mary Gallagher, Town Accountant, and reimbursed when the check does appear.
--The state has cut many elder services, which is taking its toll on many of our clients. We do have SOME emergency funds to help them with food, prescriptions, etc.
--The new van should arrive some time in August. It is mostly funded by a Federal grant, but we are responsible for 20%, i.e. $12,000. The COA will pay half of that and the Town will pay the other $6,000. We have been working with the Commission on Disabilities and hope to help younger, disabled folks with transportation.
--The 90th Birthday party in June was a HUGE success. It is one of everybody’s very favorite events. Our 4th of July party too was fabulous with a totally full house. On August 4th, we will be hosting a “Kick Off Luncheon” to Heritage Days. We will serve 60 seniors. All spaces have already been filled.

--Outreach Report—June was a very busy month with 5 home visits, 27 office visits, 1 meeting attended, 78 phone calls, and 41 referrals. The stats show 126 duplications and 47 unduplicated.

--Transportation Report—Total of ALL rides for the month was 652. The COA local vans drove 1611 miles and provided 526 rides. The Medical Connection, which has been phase out, provided 6 rides and our volunteers generously pro-
vided 8 rides and donated van driving an escort services for 27 hours. We are fortunate indeed.

6. Old Business—Community Center Update: Audrey Reidy stated that the Pier 44
Committee is in the process of summarizing all of their findings. This should be done soon at which point they present this enormous amount of information to the Selectmen who will make a decision on the use of the Pier 44 building.

7. New Business—None

8. Reports:
--SSES—None
--Commission on Disabilities—None

9. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Quincie-Ann Cutler