Council on Aging

Unanimously Approved by COA at June 13, 2024 meeting. FITCHBURG CITY CLERK FITCHBURG COUNCIL on AGING MAY 9, 2024 MEETING MINUTES Jun 14 2024 9:57 am PRESENT: George Bourque, Jim Craigen, Margaret Padovano, Bonnie Hautala, Nancy Donohue, Todd Goodwin, Pastor Annie Belmer, Debbie Dion and Amanda Koeck ABSENT: Joe Byrne and Andrew Van Hazinga VISITORS: Rose D’Alessio and Anne Fitch Bourque called the meeting to order at 1:02 PM and a QUORUM IS PRESENT. MINUTES from the April 11, 2024, meeting were emailed to Board members. Goodwin motioned and Craigen seconded the motion to approve the minutes. There was no discussion and the minutes were unanimously approved. Please refer to the first item in the April 11, 2024, Executive Director’s Report referring to Mayor Squailia’s request to approve missing minutes from several prior meetings. Corrections were made and minutes approved as follows: *June 9, 2022 meeting: Craigen motioned and Hautala seconded the motion to approve the minutes. Dion requested discussion to correct errors in Old Business. Josie, not Jose (typo) abstained from voting. There were 5 votes, not 6 votes, in favor of the motion. Corrections accepted and the June 9, 2022, meeting minutes were unanimously approved. *October 13, 2022 meeting: Craigen motioned and Hautala seconded the motion to approve the minutes. Dion requested discussion to note that the October 13, 2022, minutes were mislabeled as “Minutes 4/14/22” in the upper right hand corner. Koeck offered to delete the error. The correction was accepted and the October 13, 2022, meeting minutes were unanimously approved. *April 13, 2023 meeting: Hautala motioned and Padovano seconded the motion to approve the minutes. Dion requested discussion to note an error in attendance. The minutes listed Annie DeMartino as present and not present at the meeting. After much discussion it was agreed that DeMartino was not present at the meeting. The correction was accepted and the April 13, 2023, meeting minutes were unanimously approved. *May 11, 2023 meeting: Padovano motioned and Hautala seconded the motion to approve the minutes. No discussion. The May 11, 2023, minutes were unanimously approved. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT: George Bourque *Nothing to report at today’s meeting. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Amanda Koeck *Koeck reported that Elyse Miles has been appointed as the Principal Clerk. Miles begins work on Monday, May 13, 2024, and her hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Her initial responsibilities include invoicing, checking receipts, filing, handling kitchen money, and assisting with phone calls. Bourque thanked Koeck for a job well done during the absence of a Principal Clerk. Board members supported Bourque’s comments. Thank you, Amanda! *Koeck reported that five people were interested in filling the three vacant positions on the Council on Aging (COA). Mayor Squailia selected Rose D’Alessio, Anne Fitch and Eleanor Zichelle to fill the three vacancies. They are expected to be approved by the Fitchburg City Council on May 21, 2024. *Grant money has been awarded to achieve digital equity by making the internet more accessible to senior citizens as well as minorities, low income groups and those afflicted with addictions. The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) and the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) will be partnering to form a focus group to learn what technology skills are needed by the target groups and to teach the focus group students how to use the internet safely. An intern from AmeriCorps will assist with the trainings on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, and Tuesday, May 21, 2024. A follow-up meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. *The Friends of the Fitchburg Senior Center will hold their annual meeting and membership renewal at 11:30 AM on Thursday, May 23, 2024. A new slate of officers will be elected prior to a noon luncheon. Non-members may pay $10 to attend the luncheon. The COA board members are encouraged to attend the luncheon and support the Friends in their fundraising activities. The Friends can participate in fundraising and the COA can’t do any fundraising. Please note that COA board members may not hold an elected office on the Friends board. *Koeck delivered an enthusiastic update on programming with pickleball leading the way. Pickleball is played twice a week, on Mondays from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, and on Tuesdays from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The pickleball players have requested more court time. Koeck will keep their request in mind, but noted that many activities occur in O’Neill Hall and there might not be any available time to expand pickleball at this time. The Highlands will present Healthy Hydrating on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 10:30 AM. Fifteen people are currently registered for Foot Screening on Friday, May 17, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. Dr. Sandra Weakland and Libby Maynard will be at the senior center for this educational program. Thank you to State Representative Michael Kushmerek for helping to make this connection with the Massachusetts Foot and Ankle Society. Twenty-five people are currently registered for Dr. Keith Darrow’s (Harvard-trained neuroscientist and clinical audiologist) tinnitus talk on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 1:00 PM. Koeck is pleased to announce a move toward wellness with the addition of the support group Widowed Helping Widowed, meeting monthly at the senior center beginning Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 2:30 PM. Fitchburg City Councilor Bernie Schultz and Kelley Lynn will co-facilitate this support group. Koeck is hopeful that more support groups can be formed at the senior center. Donohue praised Koeck’s effort to present programming vital to the mental and physical health of our senior population. Koeck hopes to revive the bocce program on the downstairs court. Acoustic guitarist Johnny Girouard had to cancel his May 2, 2024, program due to a personal matter. Girouard expressed an interest in rescheduling his performance. Musical programming in June includes a performance by Ukulele J. Koeck will also reach out to guitarist Bob Jordan for a performance in the future. *Koeck reported an increase in the requests for hall rentals with Friday being a popular day. *Pastor Annie Belmer presented a programming idea to the COA. Belmer wants the senior center to host a fashion show and suggested sportswear, casual attire, business casual and gala as featured categories. Belmer noted a need to promote diversity at the senior center with the inclusion of our African American and Hispanic communities. The COA enthusiastically supported Belmer’s suggestion. Dion motioned and Donohue seconded the motion to appoint Belmer as the chairperson of the fashion show committee. No discussion. Unanimous vote of approval. Thank you, Pastor Belmer. *Padavano expressed the necessity of welcoming all senior populations to participate in activities at the senior center, noting that we promote fun and socialization within our diverse senior population. The COA supports Padovano’s comments. *Dion noted that the Fitchburg Senior Center’s programming is promoted on radio by WPKZ 1280 AM. Koeck reported that she expects a future appearance on the FATV show Inside Fitchburg. The COA supports this publicity. No COMMUNICATIONS were shared at today’s meeting. OLD BUSINESS *Donohue revisited the lack of parking surrounding the senior center, noting it as a possible deterrent to our program participation. She requested the use of the parking lot located at the corner of Elm and Grove Streets. Koeck reiterated that Fitchburg State University controls use of that parking lot. NEW BUSINESS *Bourque announced that the nomination of officers will occur at our next meeting on Thursday, June 13, 2024. We will vote on a new slate of officers at our first meeting this fall, likely on Thursday, September 12, 2024. NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, June 13, 2024 ADJOURNMENT *Goodwin motioned to adjourn and Craigen seconded the motion. No discussion. There was a unanimous vote to adjourn at 2:06 PM. Respectfully submitted, Debbie Dion