COUNCIL ON AGING

BOARD MEETING MINUTES September 11, 2003

 

Present:  Brunetta Wolfman, Anita Berman, Greg Howe, Gladys Johnstone, Gerry Brennan, Val Carrano, Florence Alexander, Alternate, Friends: Vern Wilson

 

Minutes from the August 7, 2003 Board Meeting were approved as corrected – to be e-mailed by secretary to Town Clerk.

 

Correspondence:

·        Liz Smith, Orleans COA Director called regarding the REACH program.  Some of her volunteers offered to bring Provincetown residents home from CC Hospital if needed.  Suggested we send a letter of thanks.  B.  Wolfman will do so.

Director’s Report:

·        COA is participating in Provincetown’s Fall Arts Festival by having a Senior art+ exhibition on Saturday, 9/20. From 10:00am to 2pm.  G. Brennan to handle. Pam to help hang pictures w/o 9/15.

·        BBB, in conjunction with Truro and Provincetown COAs, will hold a seminar, “Consumer Protection from Scam Artists” on Friday, 10/10/03 at the Truro Library from 11:00a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Also a video, “Opportunists Knock’.

·        There will be 2 vans leaving tomorrow for the Boston trip and V. Carrano will drive one.

·        Truro COA is offering a seminar on back pain – Sept. 24, 3-4:30p.m. at Truro COA.  Only G. Brennan and Bunny Howe signed up – transportation not needed.

·        Regarding the “Prime Time” Magazine discussion from last month about changes in trust/estate laws, yes it is devastatingly true that Medicaid can attach assets not only contained in probate but also those assets outside of probate.  The legislature is considering reversing this law.

·        On vacation 9/18 through 10/1/03

Friends:

·        The Friends’ Labor Day Bake Sale was the most profitable yet.  F. Alexander was congratulated for all her hard work - $779 taken in!  G. Brennan e-mail the BANNER with a “card of thanks”.

·        Expenses this month were for 2 wheelchairs and a new air conditioner for the dining room.

SALT Council:

·        G. Howe mentioned again how few results came back from the questionnaire he mailed out to Seniors in June regarding safety issues – 20 out of 800.  He is very unhappy about the price of beacon lights and, after the next SALT meeting; perhaps a complaint will go out to the local merchants.

Old Business:

·        Fall Arts Festival at the COA 9/20/03 – G. Brennan has called those Seniors who have taken art classes at the Senior Center and a handout was included in the last Newsletter.  Up to 3 pictures each can be dropped off at the Center on Friday, 9/12 and will be hung the following week for display on the 29th.  They can leave their work up for 3 to 6 months or take it down the day after the exhibit.

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·        Approximately 100 “welcoming “ letters were sent by B. Wolfman, G. Howe, F. Alexander, and G. Brennan.  (It was noted that while A. Berman’s stationery was counted out for her, it was not sent.)  Since no responses have been received to date, it was agreed to stop this project.

·        Outreach – the question was raised following the above discussion as to how to reach new seniors with the COA message.  It was suggested that in addition to leaving COA information at Town Hall, we ask that the Town Clerk, the Assessor’s Office, Visitors’ Service Board, etc. to give out this information to new residents.  

·        Two-month Planning – the Board reviewed the Town calendar;

·        10/13 – 19 Women’s Week.  10/16 is the Women’s Run breakfast at the COA sponsored by the Friends.

·        November is the Friends’ Annual Appeal

·        December – sell cookbooks and cards at Seaman’s Bank

·        Cookbooks - G. Howe is turning over the selling of cookbooks to the Friends after 3 years of hard work. Thanks Greg!  Regarding cookbook sales, it was suggested that for Christmas, perhaps Dottie could wrap the cookbooks and cards to entice sales at the Bank.  Gerry offered to buy boxes, sell the books, and call Laurie Meads at the bank for 2 possible dates – 12/12 and 12/19.  G. Johnstone to Dottie to see if she’s interested.

·        Rather than do a response-flyer for the next Newsletter to determine how many people are interested in taxi chits, B. Wolfman asked the Board what they thought.  It was agreed there was not enough interest.

·        G. Howe will bring foam to G. Brennan for a possible cushion for one of our sofas.

New Business:

·        Cookbooks – see above – Old Business.

·        We need volunteers to rent cushions pillows at Town Hall events.  We cannot solicit help except by word-of-mouth.

·        B. Wolfman asked for the Boards approval to bring a topic to the Board of Selectman’s upcoming public inquiry meeting next week.  The Board empowered her to raise the issue of Outreach (see Old Business above) as well as the possible inclusion of our literature in a Welcome Basket (if the Town ever has one.)  Adult day care was another issue that the Board empowered B. Wolfman to broach – not a new program per se, but a possible inclusion in the Manors’ programs as we believe there are about 10 to 20 seniors in need of such a program.

·        The 2 P & B buses that ran all summer will not run in the winter between Hyannis and Provincetown.  Please express your opinion to P & B.

 

There being no further business, it was motioned and seconded to adjourn the meeting.  The next meetings will be October 9, 2003 at 3:00p.m. in room #6 of the Grace Gouveia Bldg.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Gerry Brennan, Secretary