Council on Aging

Approved by COA at 5/9/2024 meeting Council on Aging Board of Directors Monthly Meeting May 11th, 2023 1:00pm Fitchburg Senior Center Fireplace Room F I T C H B U R G C I T Y C L E R K 14 Wallace Ave, Fitchburg, MA 01420 May 10 2024 4:00 pm Meeting called to order at 1:00pm Present: Peg Padovano, Deb Dion, Michele Morin, Bonnie Hautala, James Craigen, Josie Woods **Bonnie arrived 1:15** Not Present: George Bourque, George Rodriguez, Bill Walsh, Annie Demartino, Joe Byrne Guests Invited: Andrew Van Hazinga Guests Attended: Andrew Van Hazinga, City Councilor Richard Doucette, Fitchburg Resident, BOD candidate Minutes: Minutes from April were reviewed but not approved due to quorum at time of discussion President’s Report: (presented by Michele Morin, Vice Chair)  The Central Mass Agency on Aging will be interviewing staff and filming programs for a feature on their website and other social media platforms. More info to follow.  George Rodriquez, Annie Demartino, and Bill Walsh will not be seeking re-appointment and have resigned effective immediately.  Michele Morin will not be performing as “acting Secretary” after the June meeting. A new Secretary will need to be appointed.  Members of the BOD introduced themselves to guest and potential BOD candidate, Mr Richard Doucette. Director’s Report  COA Board Training by MCOA (Mass Council on Aging) will be taking place next Thursday May 18th at 1:30pm here at the Fitchburg Senior Center  Residents from The Gables Assisted Living in Fitchburg will be attending events and programs at the Senior Center. Concern was raised regarding oversight and the medi- cal condition of these residents. They will be accompanied by their Activities Direc- tor Staci. As these resident have been here before, protocols are already in place.  Past programs: AARP Drivers Safety Course, Senior Safety Day, Breakfast w/ an Of- ficer, Lunch, Benefits Specialist, Horse Racing (Jenn would like to host this event next year).  Future Programs: 7 Docs You Should Have, Social Security Q&A, Declutter Your Home   Verteran’s Office is up and running. No issues. Hours are 8:30-4:30. Eventually hours for Tues & Thurs will change to 8:30-7pm. Staff have been trained on the procedure to lock up and secure building. Treasurer’s Report:  Sunshine Fund Current balance $155. No more monies will collected.  Financial Report: o The report was reviewed and discussed. A plan was put into place whereby the Treasurer and Executive Director will schedule a time to consistently meet each month to review and discuss the report, activity and expenses prior to the BOD meetings. This will be implemented ASAP and the Treasurer and Exec- utive Director will report back at June meeting to confirm that these meeting have been scheduled and that the process to review the financial report has been implemented. Old Business: Mr. Doucette inquired as to the status of parking solutions for the Senior Center. This topic was tabled and will be put on a future agenda. New Business: Andy reported on recent grants approved by the city council including a circuit training center to be in place by the summer. Motioned to adjourn accepted. Meeting adjourned 2:17pm