COUNCIL ON AGING

BOARD MEETING MINUTES July 3, 2003

 

Present:  Brunetta Wolfman, Anita Berman, Greg Howe, Gladys Johnstone, Gerry Brennan Florence Alexander, Alternate, Dir. Valerie Carrano, Friends: Vern Wilson, Treasurer, Visitors: Clara Mulle, and Mark Latour

 

Minutes from the June 5, 2003 Board Meeting were approved as corrected – to be e-mailed by secretary to Town Clerk. A warm welcome was given to Florence Alexander, our new Alternate Board Member.  It only took 6 weeks to clear the red tape.

 

Correspondence:

·        B. Wolfman signed and sent out about 100 “welcome to the COA” letters and Vern bought return-address-stamped envelopes for this project.  The Board Members can come in any time and sign and send these letters or do them at home.  There are approximately 800 letters to be sent.

Old Business:

·        Mark Latour came by to discuss the Community Vision Planning Process with us.  So far, B. Wolfman reported, there have been 2 meetings on community development; a general forum that was not well attended and a working forum that was and would continue meeting until September.

M. Latour stated that the question to be answered was, “What a year-round 

      community should be in the way of transportation, affordable housing, open space,

      resource development and economic development?”  The goals can conflict, i.e.,

     affordable housing vs. open space.  He asked the Board, “What did we like about

     Provincetown now and how would we like to see the Town down the road.”

                        Some of the responses were:

·        Strangers keep moving into town and native people have to move out of Town.

·        Bicycles going 2 ways on Commercial Street are very dangerous even though a town bylaw allows it.

·        We need a more dependable source of power.

·        Keep the small, friendly, neighborly feelings of a small community.

·        Tourists are in “lalaland” (vacation mentality) and need to respect the community and it’s regulations.

·        Rowdy, drug using, anything-goes reputation makes it difficult for tourists to respect the community.

·        Beautification is wonderful but we can’t forget the Seniors.  (Have difficulty walking on brick sidewalks.

·        We are glad to have the movie year-round and need more businesses open year-round and affordable, i.e., restaurants.

·        Safety is a concern and we could use a footpath along Bradford Street.

·        Intersections are dangerous (especially Court and Center Streets).  We would like to see the Tree Warden’s position filled so that hedges could be mandated to be trimmed when blocking intersections.

·        Noise!!!  The pier party!

-         page 2-

 

·        We would like to see less Special Events.  Are they indispensable to the Town’s economy?  Do they bring in enough money to justify the problems?

·        Drugs!!!

·        Economic development is widening the tourist season bringing in more tourists and more problems.

·        Affordable housing is a problem but perhaps we have the cart before the horse.  If we had suitable industry employing more people at better wages, perhaps we wouldn’t have a housing problem.

·        Greed!!!

The Board asked M. Latour to come back to our next meeting on August 7th to continue our discussion and give us the Town’s input as well as just hearing from us.  He agreed.

Director’s Report:

·        The Senior Center Open House was held on Thursday, 6/19 from 2 – 4pm.  It was successful as 25 – 30 people attended.  V. Carrano thanked the Friends and Staff for their contributions of time and money.  The only thing still needed at the Center is a cushion for a bench.  G. Howe and G. Brennan will try to make one.

·        V. Carrano was applying to Elder Services for another grant to continue the Respite Care Program.  There are currently 40 – 50 people being served by this grant.

·        The Friends bought a new grill to replace the one that was stolen.

·        Governor’s budget is cutting items dealing with seniors.  The Director gave out information on this and phone numbers to call to protest.

Friends:

·        V. Wilson reported no new income for the month.

·        $950 was spent for a new grill, curtains, etc.

·        $585 was spent on the Open House.

Old Business:

·        Charlotte Motta will be 99 on 7/21.  B. Wolfman will call D. Anderson at the Manor and have him work with F. Alexander to present the Boston Post Cane to her.  V. Carrano will make a certificate to present to her and the Board will attend.

·        V. Carrano will contact NSTAR to try to obtain a list of new senior customers.

New Business:

·        The Friends will hold a Labor Day Bake Sale.

·        G. Brennan commended the latest Newsletter for printing both the COA Goals for 2003 and a donation request, both on the front page.

·        Gail Brown will teach another watercolor class in the fall and Carol Wescott said she would teach an oil paint class.

There being no further business, it was motioned and seconded to adjourn the meeting.  The next meeting will be August 7, 2003 at 3:00p.m. in room #6 of the Grace Gouveia Bldg.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Gerry Brennan, Secretary