MINUTES FOR THE
REGULAR MEETING
SALEM COUNCIL ON AGING
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2007
A Regular Meeting of the Salem Council on Aging was held on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at the office of the council, 5 Broad Street in Salem Massachusetts.
The meeting was called to order by Kathleen Wilkinson, Chairperson, at 6:36 p.m.
Board Members Present: Kathleen Wilkinson
James Willis
Elaine Heredeen
Donna Clifford
Pat Donahue
Robert Dionne
Board Members Absent: Frank Clocher
Roland Jean
Carmella Crosbie
Councilor Tom Furey
Councilor Joan Lovely
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:
On motion, duly made by Pat Donahue and seconded by Elaine Heredeen it was voted to waive the reading of and approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, October 17, 2007.
CORRESPONDENCE
Doug Bollen reads a letter from Mayor Kim Driscoll to Carmella Crosbie who has decided to resign from the Board. A copy of the minutes will be mailed to Carmella Crosbie.
The Chairperson reads a letter from Councilor Tom Furey that he will be missing this meeting as he has adopted another child. This evening hosts a Parent Teacher Conference at Salem High School which he wants to attend for this child. He will be present at the December Council on Aging Meeting.
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REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE & ASSISTANT DIRECTOR:
· November and December Newsletter went out to the senior citizens. Bill Woolley is the facilitator of the Newsletter which is a wonderful quality.
· Doug Bollen notes to board that minutes, newsletter, and budget are in their folders.
· Newspaper clippings from the Salem Evening News & Gazette have been taken from the papers. One clipping is Frank Clotcher donating $2,000 for Friends as donation from AMvets. Most likely going towards the Senior Center.
· November 7, 2007 Flu Clinic had approximately 500 people attend. The Clinic was very well received and there were no backups.
· Ward 2 Social on November 4, 2007 was well received with over 100 tickets donated. Transportation was provided by COA.
· Salem High School Turkey Dinner at the Black Cat Café on November 16, 2007 had 80-90 attendees. Transportation was provided by COA.
· Thanksgiving Day at the Moose provided a dinner that you didn’t have to be a Senior Citizen to attend. The Moose also provides a springtime meal.
· The upcoming Variety Show on November 29, 2007 in memory of Carmen Thompson. Show is scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. John Walsh will be the MC this year.
· Bill Woolley is on vacation: Doug had some notes to pass on.
o Discussion on the increase in rider from last year at this time. Currently have six (6) vans. One (1) van is in pretty bad shape. Possibility of new van has been pushed up to March of 2008. Currently DPW repairs the vans, but Robert Dionne offers to help if needed with repairs.
November 2006 - 3 New Riders
- 854 riders (back & forth)
November 2007 - 17 New Riders
- 1,572 riders (back & forth)
· The purchase of the new phone system approved and ordered. The new system can tie in with the city system with a receptionist feature and after hour’s voice mail.
· Tech Depot was supposed to be in during the past three weeks to hook the internet up for six computers for the computer lab. Still awaiting their arrival. Staples have offered volunteers to help teach classes.
· Wild Turkey 5 mile run- Baby Boomers & Intergenerational 5 Mile Race had 854 Paid Entries that had all ages running:
o 92 Runners between 50-60 years old
o 20 Runners over 60 years old
o One Runner that was 78 years old!
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· There are two new Adult Volunteers
o Doug Desrocher who does odd jobs at homes
o Sara Calland helps on the vans and parties
· There is a need for volunteers – recruitment for:
o Shopper Escorts
o Medical Escorts
o Friendly Phone Caller
· Book sales for Prospective of Salem are over $2,000! There will be upcoming Book Readings and Signings to continue to promote the book sales. One signing will be December 4th from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Another edition needs to be ordered.
· There are soon to be some losses of valuable people from Operation Able (Governmental Program). This program pays 20 hours a week of minimum wage while the participant is looking for a job. Currently, the staff from this program has been with the Senior Center longer than allowed due to extensions. Program will no longer allow extensions. People involved now have a deadline of their end date.
· Thirty Student Nurses currently on site visits for five weeks finish Thursday or Friday. These nursing students come from North Shore Community College.
· Ellen Kennedy, the Nutrition Director, notes that 130 meals were delivered. This number is up from the last winter season.
· Lynn Barr still collecting recipes for an upcoming Recipe Book.
· Frank Clocher and the Chairperson went to training – The Chairperson notes that she will talk about this when Doug Bollen has finished his report.
· Social Workers have been inundated with questions about the Prescription Drug Program.
· The Chairperson reports on the Board Training Meeting that she and Frank Clocher attended at the Topsfield Fair Grounds. She reports that a Board of Director’s should have committees to keep vital in the community. The Boards would be advisory only. Possible Committees suggested:
o Nominating Committee:
This Committee would meet before the 1st September Meeting to be more prepared. Possibly meet once a year in either June or July and have at least two people. Hopefully there would be volunteers, but if not, the Chairperson would assign two positions. Robert Dionne volunteered to serve. Doug Bollen suggested that Mayor Driscoll be consulted to see if she has any candidates she would like to recommend for the committee. Doug Bollen said he would speak with the Mayor and get back to the group.
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o Bi-Laws Committee:
Pat Donahue, Elaine Heredeen & the Chairperson met on November 16, 2007 to go over notes. They will come back next meeting with recommendations. A meeting was set for December 14, 2007 at 12:15 p.m. to meet with Doug Bollen at the Council on Aging.
o Coffee Shop Committee:
This committee would meet once a year to review the menu and prices.
· Pat Donahue pointed out that the Committees should meet the needs of the seniors. The most important point brought out at the Training Meeting was meeting the obligations for all the seniors by being more ambitious. The different committees should be doing more to help serve the Board.
· The Chairperson initiated conversation about the Agenda & Minutes from the past meeting being mailed to all Board Members to be better informed before the upcoming meetings. Doug Bollen pointed out that the Minutes are mailed to each Chairperson before the upcoming meetings. Doug Bollen agreed that he would also mail the Agenda and supporting information if it was going to be a big topic in an upcoming meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Doug Bollen submitted the Treasurer’s Report.
(James Willis leaves the meeting)
Doug explained that most of the accounts do not have a lot of change and are right on target.
· Telephone/Recreation are fine.
· Printing - $500 remains
· Office Supplies - $1,500 remains
· Building Maintenance – Rehab on elevators – down to $2,000
· Food - $1,000 – used for big Dinner
· Need to watch the Vehicle Parts closely. This is a new development. No labor costs are charged.
· Donation Accounts - $13,000 for van - $7,000 to $9,000 comes from Friends with 20% from Council on Aging Account.
(James Willis comes back)
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· Title B for Elders – fluctuates
· Title C- Food
· State Formula Grants – covers voice mail & some jobs – is up $1,500
· CBDG (Community Block Development Grant- Federal Money) - $19,000 – This is level funded – 2 Part-time Van Drivers
· MYSENIORCENTER Program – This will be coming soon. $5,000 goes towards this and it will end up being $10,000 - $11,000. There is a small monthly fee ($100 - $200 Monthly Maintenance Fee).
· Doug Bollen explained that this is a pretty tight budget that usually comes in right on the mark.
NEW BUSINESS:
Senior Location Group
Doug Bollen sat in on the last meeting. City still has Architects looking at locations
· Waterfront park near Camp Naumkeag
· Fort Lee – Parking Lot across from the Willows
· Current Building – 5 Broad Street in Salem
· Mack Park
· Szetela Lane – Still looking at developing this site. This one is not really available – most likely private development.
There is some controversy about park land that can never be sold. All locations are still up in the air for the time being. The Location Group continues to meet to discuss options.
NEXT BOARD MEETING
Next meeting of COA is scheduled for Wednesday, December 19, 2007.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion, duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cynthia L. Mezoff
Clerk
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