HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - EAB - 09/14/2015 COHASSET ELDER AFFAIRS I OCT 0 5 2015
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Willcutt Commons TOWN'Ct.ERK
91 Sohier Street
Cohasset, Ma 02025
September 14,2015
MINUTES
In attendance: Paul Kierce,Tana Carlson, Elinore Barrett,Kelli Gildea, Bebe
McCarron,James Mensching,Sue Reagan, Cindy Swartwood, Elaine Coyne, Diane
Karcher,Taffy Northnagle,
Also Attending: Coral S.Grande,Nancy Lafauce, Chris Senior
Not in Attendance: Harry St. Onge
Liaisons: Katie Dugan, Sandra Halverson, Kevin McCarthy, Ed Mulvey
Paul Kierce, Chairman,opened the meeting at 8:35 am
Minutes of July,2014 meeting accepted.
Treasurer's Report:
VISTA costs will be reflected in our 2016 budget.
Fiscal 2015 report being finalized. Storms and their impact on activities reflected in
report. Van driver account down because of less gas use during storms.
Have not received Formula grant yet.Should be sent in the next 3 months.
$1,000 reimbursed for upfront costs of MySeniorCenter training program
Reportaccepted.
Liaison Reports:
School Committee-Katie Dugan-Schools open. Barb Stefan filled empty seat on
school committee.
There are 1643 students this year compared to 1.608 last year.
New website has been set up.
Paul asked about busses and fleet management.
2 new busses in 2014 ad 2010, 7 leased and 5 owned buses, 2 SPED vehicles.
Question is how to maintain them. Do they need a full time or part time
maintenance person? Can Elders share the SPED vehicles with'School Department?
SSES- Ed Mulvey- SSES has expanded their workspace by half,to
include more veterans and youth disabilities programs.
Training on elder abuse now offered.
Walkathon to be held on Sept 26th from 10-2 at the South Shore Plaza.
SSL-Sandra Halverson-no meeting has been scheduled with the Town.Town is still
renting.
BOS - Kevin McCarthy-More detailed analysis would be helpful for presentation to
the Board regarding purchasing of vans.
Monday,November 2, 2015 is the date for Special Town Meeting.
Bebe suggested senior issues be scheduled for the beginning of the meeting because
of the evening hours.
Taffy Northnagle appeared before the Selectmen advocating for affordable housing
especially for our Veterans.There is a Cohasset residence preference for all affordable
housing;there is not a long wait list for elders but there is for young disabled. Taffy is
looking for new members for the Housing Committee.
Ongoing Business Updates
Paul-It was voted May 2nd to purchase 91 Sohier and no goals or
objectives have been set for the next step by the Town Manager. The
fund used to build the building states the building has to be used for
seniors. Town has their definition in front of the AG. Paul requests
that the Town open up communication with the public.
Chris Senior-AG meeting went well in August. He is very optimist
and can see the finish line.The fact that we need to add a 3rd party-
AG and Supreme Court-makes it more complicated.
Paul -We need clarity for our seniors and staff.We need
Selectmen/TM to inform us.There will be an update/discussion at
the 9/22 Selectman's meeting.
Director's Report
Paul-For next 6 months we need to focus on programming.
Coral-There is so much confusion for our elders.They are asking what is the building
going to be used for.
Chris - Primary use of this building is for elders.
Coral-we are changing up the Veterans Forum by offering help on filing claims,
understanding Chapter 115 benefits; helping to write resumes and prepare for
interviews. There are 465 Vets in our town,the majority being older vets.
Vinnie Fontaine is the VSO (Veterans Services Officer).
EOEA report in progress.
Glitches have surfaced in the My Senior Center reporting program.
CIRCA(Regional Association of COA Directors) meeting held tomorrow with 37
communities represented.
Friends and BOD of Elder Affairs need to schedule a meeting together
Cohasset Cares program together with the Fire Sept. helped 43 people with
improvements in their homes to keep them safe.
Nancy—Many new programs offered. Scheduling is difficult because of not knowing when
Willcutt is available.The Alzheimers group wants to present a 4-part program in the
evening so adult children of elders can attend, but we have not been able to schedule
beyond certain days and hours. SSI also wants to do a program for younger 60s. Yoga is a
popular program as well as Reiki.
Program Interest surveys are being included in the next newsletter.
Meeting adjourned @ 10:55 am.
Next meeting date: Monday,October 13,2015 @ 8:30am
Respectfully submitted:
Elinore Barrett,Secretary