COUNCIL ON AGING

BOARD MEETING MINUTES October 9, 2003

 

Present:  Brunetta Wolfman, Anita Berman, Greg Howe, Gerry Brennan, Val Carrano, Friends: Vern Wilson, Marge Perry

Absent: Gladys Johnstone, Florence Alexander

Minutes from the September 11, 2003 Board Meeting were approved as corrected – to be e-mailed by secretary to Town Clerk.

 

Correspondence:

·        B. Wolfman attended the Board of Selectman’s quarterly public forum and sent minutes to Board Members via e-mail.  B. Wolfman stated the COA’s concerns that the town pays more attention to visitors than to its residents.  The Selectmen were impressed with our attempts at outreach to the senior community and agreed to have our COA brochure available at the Town Clerk’s office, the parking dept., and the Treasurer’s office.  The Selectmen liked our idea of an adult day-care program factored into the Manor’s programs.

·        B. Wolfman received a letter from the Grand Union inviting her to their second Consumers Meeting at Michael Shay’s on 10/14 at 6:30.  (We didn’t know there was a first meeting.)  She will attend and bring our concerns and complaints.

·        B. Wolfman was elected to the Board of Cape Cod Elder Services.  They will be holding a fund raising auction on 11/22, postponed from 9/28.  Tickets are $50 each.

Director’s Report:

·        Only half a report as V. Carrano was on vacation.

·        Shirley Gomes is supporting 3 bills in the state legislature on elder abuse. There is a bill asking that COA Directors as well as COA outreach people be mandated to report abuse.  Supporters can write to Sen. O’Leary.

·        David Viera, TRIAD Dir. and Assistant Sheriff for Barnstable County is holding a meeting supported by the Alzheimer’s Assoc. at their office on 10/29 from 9 to 11:00am and will be discussing the National Registration Program.

·        Flu shots available on 10/28 from 2 – 4:00 p.m. for ages 65+ or the chronically ill.  An appointment is necessary, as there are only 170 doses.

·        Men’s Breakfast starts again on 10/27.

·        V. Carrano out 10/15/16/17 for Massachusetts COA Meeting and out 10/23 and 24 for Medicaid Long-term Care Policy Meeting.

·        G. Brennan agreed to teach Mah Jong at the COA.

·        Trying to publicize COA’s social side by setting aside 2 days a week for open house for social time: TV, card playing, board games, bring lunch and talk, etc.

Friends:

·        November is the Annual Appeal.  B. Wolfman has letter.  V. Carrano will print labels and we need to check if we have enough stamps (need approximately 300 and we have a balance from not sending out all out welcome letters).  G. Brennan suggested that we could get together next month and send them out as a group.

·        It was reiterated that the Friends need volunteers to rent cushions at Town Hall events and to sell Cookbooks as G. Howe has resigned this service.

 

SALT Council:

·        G. Howe reported that the Health Care Crisis was the topic at the last meeting presented by and independent consultant.

Old Business:

·        Fall Arts Festival at the COA 9/20/03 – G. Brennan reported that no one came to view the art, the event was a success in that the COA was publicized, the dining room has new art for the next 6 months, and the artists were pleased to show their work.

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

·        November is the Friends’ Annual Appeal

·        December 7 is the Senior Dinner

·        December – sell cookbooks and cards at Seaman’s Bank 12/12 and 12/19 from 11 to 3:00pm.  G. Johnstone and G. Brennan to get things ready and sell.  D. Oliver to wrap cookbooks and cards.  More volunteers are welcome.

·        It was agreed not to hold a Holiday Bazarre so as not to conflict with St. Peter’s.

·        G. Howe could not find foam for a possible cushion for one of our sofas. G. Brennan volunteered to take a measurement and ask the sewing lady on Rt. 6 in Truro to make us a cushion.  The Friends will pay for it.

New Business:

·        B. Wolfman reported that, after the Board of Selectmen’s Public Forum, she spoke with some of the Selectmen about community development and the two meeting the COA Board had with Mark Latour about this topic. The Selectmen suggested they meet with the COA Board to further discuss these items.  B. Wolfman will try for a Wednesday Lunch meeting at the COA.  G. Brennan was asked to look through the minutes for pertinent information regarding the Boards advice to Mr. Latour concerning community development.

 

 

There being no further business, it was motioned and seconded to adjourn the meeting.  The next meetings will be November 13, 2003 at 3:00p.m. in room #6 of the Grace Gouveia Bldg.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Gerry Brennan, Secretary