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News/Events - Meeting Minutes

Scituate Council On Aging
Board of Directors Meeting
December 7, 2011

Attendees: Pam Davis-Chairman, Florence Choate-Director, Dale Balog, Jim Harmon, Gerard Fierimonte, Joan Powers, Meg Stillman, Richard Mitchell, Audrey Reidy

The Board opened the meeting with a “Thank you” to Florence Choate. It was her fourth anniversary as Director.

1. Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM

3. Vote To Accept Minutes of September, 2011 Meeting:
--Accepted unanimously, by members who were present at November meeting.

4. Staff and Director Reports:

Director:
November was a successful month for the COA. We ran a Health Fair that presented 28 organizations. An Alzheimer panel was present as well. Chair Yoga, our newest exercise group was presented as well as massage therapy. It was a large undertaking but with the help of Tom Edwards, things were done, done well and on time. Feedback from the participating organizations is great and continues to flow in. We plan to make this an annual event.
The Craft Fair was also very successful, again with many, many thanks to Tom Edwards who darned near ran the event. Over 600 people attended, a band played, the Recreation Department supplied face painting and beading for the kids. The COA raised $1250 for our Senior Heating Fund. We hope that donations will remain forthcoming.
We are preparing our 2013 budget. The Director did not put in a Capital request.
Our building is not fixable. Putting money into it really would not be a benefit and would condemn future seniors to a broken down Senior Center. We have been able to purchase needed equipment through our own funds. Hopefully there will be no cutbacks and our budget will remain the same. We plan to use the Community Building at Scituate Harbor for as many special events as possible.
Director Choate and Outreach Coordinator Nancy Lafauce atteded a conference held by the National Society on Aging. It concentrated on future trends and needs of seniors which is sobering information, concentrating of problems that will arise. There are no solutions at present.
Programming
All programs are well attended, including newer ones, Chair Yoga and Hypnosis.
We will be working with the Norwell VNA to begin workshops in Jan., Feb.
And March. We are exploring a possible opening that may come available in
March for a new, really fun exercise group.
Our Christmas party is on Tuesday, Dec. 20. A full luncheon will be serves and
Entertainment will bring in the holiday spirit!
Outreach
Home visits 4, Office visits 27, meetings attended 2, telephone calls 68, referrals
Made 45, duplicated numbers 119 and unduplicated 63.
Outreach has been very, very busy assisting seniors with Medicare Part D and
Making all options understandable.
Transportation
Our Nov. transportation number show a total of 594 rides, 478 of which were by our local Scituate vans. 102 were LINK rides and our volunteers transported 14. These great people put in a total of 51 hours in September.

7. Reports
A. SSES by Joan Powers—An audit by the State came ou just fine.
South Shore Elder Services is looking for a Nurse Administrator.
B. Commision on Disablities Report—next meeting on Dec. 13, 2011.

5. Old Business
A. Community Center Update—Ed DiSalvio gave a draft version of the Community Center report to the Town Administrator. It has to now be finalized and go to the Selectmen. Mrs. Reidy said this will take time, time. If folks have comments, a preference for the use of the building, Audrey
Recommends a phone call to the Selectmen’s office; make noise and get attention! Mr. Mitchell asked what the report recommends for the building. Mrs. Reidy stated that options, not recommendations from the Committee are the order of the report. In light of all of this, the Scituate COA will carry on with it’s all important services to it’s seniors and activities too.
B. GATRA Update-The Chairwoman stated that the Town Administrator will be working on GATRA. Ms Davis received a call from a small, pro Gatra group who will help to stir things up!. Once again, call the Selectmen!

6. New Business—
A. The Director requested that when the Jan/Feb Newsletter is received , please respond to the short, three question survey on the last page.

8. Meeting adjourned at 5:55 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Quincie-Ann Cutler

ADDENDUM TO SCOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING OF 12/7/2011

Agenda and minutes from November meeting are available at the Town Clerk’s office.

Staff and Director reports are available at the COA, 27 Brook St.