Council on Aging

Council on Aging Board of Directors Monthly Meeting May 13th 2021 in the Fireplace Room Call Meeting to Order at 1:00pm Present: Joe Byrne, Bill Walsh, George Bourque II, Peg Padovano, Bonnie Hautula, Josie Wood, Deb Dion, James Craigen, Annie DeMartino, Michele Morin Not Present: Motion accepted to accept previous meeting minutes. Treasurer’s Report: A. Sunshine Fund: $171 B. Financial Report: Nothing unusual to report. The large electrical expense this month was due to 2 Unitil invoices. The payroll amounts are also larger than normal as we had 3 payroll periods in April. President’s Report: A. Topic moved to next meeting. B. Topic moved to next meeting. C. Michelle Morin would like to be nominated Secretary and Josie Wood would like to be nominated for the Treasurer. Elections will be officially held at the June Meeting. D. Annual Meeting will be held at the Senior Center at 11:30am and will be catered by the Finicky Fork. Director’s Report: A. There will be no funds available for a Program Coordinator in next year’s budget (FY2022). When speaking with them Joan made sure to point out how absolutely important it is to have someone in that position at the Senior Center and that without the extra staff it will be challenging to schedule programs. The Mayor mentioned that in the future the position could be part time 19 hours with no benefits. For the rest of the FY 2022 budget: utilities and heat will remain the same. The Receptionist position increased to a 32.5 hours a week. B. Formula Grant amount remains the same for FY2022 at $12 per senior. They are still waiting for the final Census numbers to come for 2020 C. Joan, George and Josie met with Russell, Director of Facility Maintenance and went over the results of a survey that was done at the beginning of March. Russell is saying that the $50,000 is only Covid money and needs to be spent within those parameters. Went over the survey report with the board pointing out many issues including the paragraph about the lighting in the building as it was completely updated in the past few years. The board does agree that the thermostat system in the Senior Center needs to be replaced and upgraded. But completely disagrees with Russell and the survey’s assessment that the center need 20+ air filter units added to the basement, 1st floor and 2nd floor. The board takes issue with the need for the air filtration units and that the cost of the electricity that these units would use if one 24/7 356 days a year and how that would affect our electricity budget.  The board also wants to let it be known that they highly disapprove of how the building survey results were given to Joan and the board representatives at the beginning of the meeting, making the meeting not as productive as it could have been if all parties were fully knowledgeable about the contents of the survey. The board acknowledges the survey results but is not adopting the recommendations of the survey and Russell’s recommendations, they are questioning the need for and the practicality of having that many filtration units in the building. Motion made and accepted to send a letter to the Mayor and President of the City Council about not taking the recommendations and that under the by-laws of the Council on Aging the Board has the authority to spend this earmarked money. The Board recommends that the earmarked $50,000 be used for its original intended purpose of upgrading the Senior Center Windows. Joan will check to make sure that the upgrading of the windows will fall under Covid spending parameters. D. The Meal Site is still doing grab and go lunches for the month of May, Joan is working with MOC to open in June. E. The soft opening is going well, we opened on May 3rd currently we are taking all seniors pictures for the My Senior Center program and everyone is being given a touch key to use on the computer and given instruction on the new procedures at the Senior Center. Committee Report: Assigned Board members A. Advocacy and Legislation: B. By-Laws. C. Personnel: Bill Walsh., Joe Byrne: D. Building and grounds: Bill Walsh/ Joan Goodwin Communication: New Business: Old Business: Board has questions on why there was no consideration to replace the work done by the Program Coordinators position. The city replaced the printer with a contact printing company and they replaced a health inspector with a consultant for inspections but the work of the Program Coordinator now gets put onto the other Senior Center staff with no consideration. Michele mentioned that she would do some research on the social determination of needs for the City of Fitchburg senior population and how that translates to the number of staff needed. Motion to adjourn at 3:04pm Next meeting June 10th at 11:30 am at the Senior Center in the fireplace room.