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News/Events - Meeting Minutes

Scituate Council On Aging

Board of Directors Meeting

October 12, 2011

Attendees: Pam Davis-Chairwoman, Florence Choate-Director, John Danehey-Selectmen’s Liaison, Dale Balog, Jim Harmon, Rocky Carrabes, Gerard Fierimonte,
Joan Powers, Meg Stillman

1. Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM

3. Vote To Accept Minutes of September, 2011 Meeting:

--Accepted unanimously, with addendum, by members who were present at September meeting.

4. Staff and Director Reports:

Director:
The Annual Report was completed and sent to Office of Elder Affairs. It is the reflection of our yearly numbers, the people we serve, hours recorded and in kind services. The Director stated that we are continuing to grow and that we will not be able to serve our seniors well with the small staff that we now have. We are not reimbursed for things we do, i.e. Fuel Assistance Applications. This really affects our budget negatively. The Director estimates there are 100 apps for fuel, each taking at least 45 minutes. Outreach has Open Enrollment for Medicare, daily appointments and much else to do! The Director and The Board would like to establish an Advisory Board to help the COA grow as demanded, hoping to engage volunteers. We have a full calendar too. We have (had) a SHINE presentation at The Community Building, an Art Show at the Maritime Center. Coming up is a Craft Show at the Community Center and an Arts & Crafts with the Recreation Dept. A Health Fair at the Community Center will be held on Nov. 15th. The Director is going to be working with our volunteer Carolyn Sachs who will be her personal assistant for event planning.
At the Senior Center, Chair Yoga has become very popular. We have hired a hypnotist to do a presentation for us. The Christmas luncheon will be at the Senior Center on Dec. 20. The Police Luncheon will be on Dec. 10 at the Congregational Church. Much of this will be advertised in the papers. Mr. Danehey suggested that we network our posters to local merchants and the Chamber of Commerce.

Transportation:
Our Sept. transportation number show a total of 637 rides, 498 of which were by our local Scituate vans. 123 were LINK rides and our volunteers transported 16. These great people put in a total of 71 hours in September.
.
Outreach:
--Home Visits- 4, Office Visits- 25, Meetings attended- 2, Calls –58,
Referrals-4, Duplicated 69, Unduplicated 45.
Nancy and Jenny attended a Resources for Vets program. They learned the many, many services available to our Veterans and their families. Mr. Danehey suggested that information regarding our service men and women should filter to us through the Town Veterans Agent. Joan Powers commented that SSES, in conjunction with our Veterans, would have a program at the ELKS Club in Weymouth on Oct. 21, 2011.

5. Old Business
A. Community Center Update—None available
B. GATRA Update-None yet. The Director did comment that our new van would be here very soon. Mr. Danehey suggested a ribbon cutting ceremony.

6. New Business—
A. Replacement for Comm. On Disabilities Liaison-None yet. Mr. Danehey suggested that the liaison contact the Comm. On Disabilities and find out when they are having meetings with content that pertains to the COA. They have 9 meetings a year and our liaison cannot attend all. Many can be attended, partially to make the liaison post more doable for any individual.
B. Mr. Carrabes thanked the COA for his ride to Boston.

7. Reports
A. SSES Update by Joan Powers—SSES is receiving a 2.5% pay increase and Bateman (Meals on Wheels provider) is receiving 3% increase. All are doing very well and work and quality has much improved. Also, SSES is working with hospitals in transitioning patients directly to their homes, with help, avoiding rehab if possible.

8. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Quincie-Ann Cutler