Council on Aging

Approved by Fitchburg COA at 10/10/2024 meeting Council on Aging Board of Directors Monthly Meeting January 13, 2022 1:00pm FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Fitchburg Senior Center Fireplace Room Oct 11 2024 3:20 pm 14 Wallace Ave, Fitchburg, MA 01420 Meeting called to order at 1:00pm Present: Bill Walsh, George Bourque, Joe Byrne, Annie DeMartino, Joan Goodwin, Peg Padovano, Josie Wood, Deb Dion, Michele Morin, George Rodriguez Not Present: James Craigen Guests Invited: Andrew Van Hazinga Guests Attended: N/A Welcome back George Rodriguez. Also, the new City Council Liaison to the COA BOD is Council VP Ward Andrew Van Hazinga. Andrew was not able to attend this meeting but is looking forward to attending future meetings. Minutes: Minutes from December meeting were reviewed. Motion to accept was approved. Treasurer’s Report:  Sunshine Fund – $205  Report reviewed and increase in therms was noted. Possibly due to heating equipment issues in O’Neil Hall. Will continue to monitor.  Motion to accept report was approved. President’s Report: The Board received an RFP Schedule from Russ. Next step is bid notice from Purchasing Agent (Mary). Bill will follow up. The heating system in O’Neil Hall is not working properly and therefor can not be used as a warming station. Additionally, concerns regarding frozen pipes were addressed. Russ is aware and will review and monitor the situation. The Board will send a letter requesting an update in writing. Joan presented revised Codes of Conduct for review. Motion to accept was approved subject to the addition of a “No Smoking/Vaping” line item. The document will be posted at each entrance and a copy will be provided to existing and new members. A copy will also be sent to the City Solicitor for review. Page 1 of 3 MOC-A meeting was held to discuss the termination of the lunch contract/dining cafe with MOC. In attendance from MOC were Brianna & Tracey as well as Bill, Joan, Scott Carrigan and the Mayor. MOC accepted the Board’s decision to prepare and provide meals onsite by Senior Center Volunteers and MOC offered assistance with purchasing and prep as needed. Director’s Report: Joan distributed newsletter and reviewed upcoming programs. Senior Center members are still testing positive. Those who test positive must quarantine as per DPH/CDC guidelines. Large activities have been postponed until mid January. Joan will be having surgery and will be out for 6-8 weeks. A staff meeting was held to review P&P and protocols in her absence. It was discovered that the Center was dangerously low on heating oil. As we are not on auto delivery, the tank needs to be monitored regularly and it was not. A discussion was had regarding installing an alarm on the tank to alert staff is supply is low. In the meantime, Mike is to monitor the tank regularly and consistently and will have to come in over the weekend to check on building if oil is not delivered ASAP. Russ was called and he will call oil company and is working on parts to repair heating system. An email will be sent to follow up. A request was again made to review job descriptions for the purposes of accountability and streamlining the flow of operations. A copy was requested for Russ, Mike and Joan’s description. Committee Report: By Laws-still need to be reviewed and updated by the Board to reflect any changes. There are two copies of By Laws. 1) in the initial packet given to members by the council and, 2) a copy that was given by Jenn. Need to confirm which is current before making any changes. Building Committee- See reference to RFP in President’s Report. New Business: None Old Business: A discussion was had regarding the status of the Friend’s of the Fitchburg Senior Center and monies in their possession which is estimated to be approximately $30,000. Bill will obtain a copy of the Charter for the Board to review. It was suggested that the City Solicitor review the Charter. Motion to adjourn at 2:32pm approved. Page 2 of 3 FY 2022 Meeting Dates Second Thursday of the month at 1pm unless otherwise noted. January 13 February 10 Cancelled March 10 April 14 May 12 June 9 *No meetings July and August* September 8 October 13 November 10 December 8 (Holiday Luncheon) *Dates, times, additional meetings subject to change* ITEMS/ISSUES PENDING COMPLETION/RESOLUTION Item/Issue Action Status By Laws BOD to review and amended as necessary Pending Job Descriptions BOD to obtain and review job descriptions for Pending Executive Director and Facilities Director to confirm scope of responsibility Gutters Russell to update on approval from MHC re: non- Pending copper gutters. Written response requested. Gutters Bill to provide copy of correspondence with pending MHC Masonry Bill to provide copy of correspondence sent Pending requesting action. Page 3 of 3