COUNCIL ON AGING

BOARD MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 14, 2002

Meeting called to order at 3:00pm by Brunetta Wolfman, Chair.

Present: Brunetta Wolfman, Valerie Carrano, Dir., Greg Howe, Anita Berman, Gladys Johnstone, Gerry Brennan, Roberta Elliott, Alt., Friends: Margie Perry, Pres.,Vern Wilson, Florence Alexander

Minutes from the October 20th Board Meeting were approved as corrected – to be e-mailed by secretary to Town Clerk.

Correspondence:

· Letter sent by B. Wolfman to Mary-Jo Avellar and Sarah Peake agreeing with their opinions that it’s hard to walk 2 by 2 on Commercial Street with hedges, gardens, and the like extending onto the sidewalks as well as their not being level. She asked that they walk Commercial Street from the Cape Inn. Bradford St. is also difficult. The letter asked that the Selectmen include quality-of-life issues in their next set of goals.

Director’s Report:

· The Senior Fair/T Dance to be held Sun., 12/8 from 4:00 to 7:00p.m. is coming along. Truro COA offered help. Town Hall is set and so is the DJ. Tables will be put up for other senior organizations to put out their literature as well as ours.

· The Senior Swim is hard to get started again as Willy’s Gym wants $15/person with no discount to Seniors and the Ocean’s End in Brewster refused to open their pool to Provincetown.

· We need another COA Scrapbook as Diane said there is another box of articles and pictures to be included in the archives. The Friends agreed to pay for this second book and G. Brennan will purchase for about $250 including extra pages and sheet protectors.

· Dennis has agreed to give up his Thanksgiving to drive Seniors to the dinner at the Elks in Eastham. Seven or eight people have signed up to go so far.

· G. Howe and V. Carrano went to the Town Hall Meeting regarding “site Y” for the new Manor. See “new business.”

· M. Perry asked if the Center was available for Doreen Devlen, RN to hold an educational class, the subject is gastric by-pass surgery. Response – it is available.

· In response to her question, A. Berman was advised that the Director picks the Senior of the Year.

Friend’s Report:

· Approximately $3,000 has been received so far from the annual appeal. This is about the same as last year at this time.

Old Business:

· No volunteers needed at the moment.

· V. Carrano is working on the new Human Service/COA webpage. She is trying to make it more up to date and more attractive.

· B. Wolfman is still working on the “Beauty is Ageless” project. Apparently Estelle is not up to doing it. Tim McCarthy of LIP is trying to get people to volunteer from the theatre group. Pasquale Natale is a possibility.

· Chief Meyer is off to Minneapolis but sent a letter regarding signage at crosswalks. He thinks that solar is cheaper than battery operated and he priced them as well. G. Howe moved, A. Berman seconded, that we send a letter back to Chief Meyers with a copy to the Town Manager, encouraging him to buy the signage from “town funds” that he thinks is best.

· G. Howe reported verbally and in writing regarding the TRIAD meeting he attended. See report attached. V. Carrano will check if it is feasible to show the video FRAUDS & SCAMS at the Senior Center.

· The letter encouraging more people to utilize the Center will go out in January.

New Business:

· G. Howe reported on the Town Hall Meeting regarding the use of “site Y” for the new Manor. Both he and V. Carrano were discouraged by the meeting. Three members of the State Div. Of Capital Asset Management were there to hear about site Y. Also there were representatives from interested parties including an attorney who represented 10 Provincetown citizens opposed to the building of the new Manor on “site Y”. The attorney ‘s oppositions included: wet lands larger than noted previously because of drought, endangered plants (ladyslippers), and wildlife (boxed turtles). Fallback arguments include the old railroad bed being a vital greenway and the fact that any intrusion is a violation of Provincetown’s comprehensive plans. G. Howe will talk to Dennis Anderson, Manager of the Cape End Manor, to see if there is anything that the Board can do and will report back to the Board.

· Arthur Duarte is the oldest registered voter and should be awarded the Boston Post Cane even though he is ill. It will be presented to him but kept in the Town Clerk’s safe for safekeeping. B. Wolfman will make the arrangements.

· M. Perry will call Michael Noons for information regarding the Year-Rounders Festival, March 8, 2003 to see if we can set up a table and sell cookbooks.

· Christine McCarthy of the PAAM asked if we would like to sell baked goods and be responsible for the food table at the Thanksgiving Week Craft Fair. We would receive 50% of the profits. Sat. seemed like a good day and B. Wolfman will call people on the PAAM member list to get baked contributions.

There being no further business, it was motioned and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The next meeting will be December 5, 2002 at 3:00p.m. in room #6 of the Grace Gouveia Bldg.

Respectfully submitted,

Gerry Brennan, Secretary