Council on Aging Board

SALEM COUNCIL ON AGING Minutes of Regular Meeting Date and Time: May 16, 2018 at 5:20 P.M. Meeting Location: Dining Room, 5 Broad St. Members Present: Lynda Coffill (LC, Chairperson), Julie Carver (JC, Secretary), Elaine Heredeen (EH, Vice Chair), George Barbuzzi (GB), Alice Williams (AW), and, John Russell (JR) Members Absent: Alison Thibodeau (AT) and Donna Clifford (DC) Abigail Butt (AB) Also Present: Teresa Arnold, (TA, Director of the COA) and Elaine Milo (EM), City Councilor Liaison to the COA Clerk: Kathleen Fitzgerald Meeting Called to Order LC calls the meeting to order at 5:20 P.M. Motion made by AW to approve the April Minutes, seconded by EH and passes unanimously. New Business: JR advised that the Friends held a book event at Barnes & Noble on May 12th and the money made (which he thought was about $600.00), will be targeted towards the Community Life Center literacy/library program. He also spoke again about the pasta dinner to be held on June 22, 2018 at the Moose Lodge. He also advised that the business appeal letters were starting to come back and that next Tuesday the Friends would be on SATV to talk about what they do. He advised the Board that Paul Tucker would be the moderator. One of the important things he wanted people to know is where donations go and that not only do they go to people who deserve them in the community, but every penny goes to those in need. He also stated that he was working with TA to try and find a new piece of furniture – a piano. The goal is to find a nice used baby grand to be the focal point for the lobby at the new Senior Center. A baby grand would be valued between $15,000.00 - $20,000.00 and he hoped someone would donate one and use it as a tax donation. -1- GB advised that there is a piano warehouse in Danvers and they may be able to help. Also, Patricia Zaido has a lead on a piano and will be checking it out. Director’s Report: Social Services – September 1 through April 30, 48 households received fuel assistance; 16 individuals received assistance for SNAP; 4 referred to North Shore Hearing foundation; 23 individuals took durable medical equipment from the lending closet and 14 individuals received assistance with serious housing issues. TA also advised that we were able to find some money to carry Joe Eriksberg for three (3) days per week through June 30th. If the City Council approves the budget on June 6th, we will be able to get a social worker. The position does not require a license, only a degree in social work and the position needs to be posted. Elaine Milo advised that you can post the position in anticipation of being approved. Transportation – 1,677 rides were provided in April; 482 rides to and from the COA, 471 rides for medical appointments; 374 rides for grocery shopping and other rides provided to and from events, library, bank, YMCA, etc. NSES has been given $14,000.00 each year but we have been bumped up to $15,600.00 which helps with drivers’ salaries. JR asked if we had looked to volunteers to be drivers. He stated that these volunteers would be fill-in drivers and not taking from anyone. Community Services -- TA advised that the survey based on programming will be extended through the end of the month. 462 responses have been received so far and a fair amount of people liked the wellness program. Once results are compiled, TA will share the results. TA met with Joan Tobin, Pat Franklin and Patricia Zaido of the Salem Explorers, and they are very interested in doing some programming with us. This could be a good collaboration. TA noted that she has been meeting every Friday with Trish O’Brien and Kathy McCarthy to collaborate on the move and advised that Over the Rainbow Club would like to move their suppers to the new Senior Center. EM asked TA if she was now directing COA programming. TA advised that she was working with Rosanna Donahue. Old Business: Talk then commenced on the new Senior Center. JR is still concerned that we will not have everything needed by move in date and stated that when it comes to opening day we do not want to present a shell of a building. He also stated that he thought the Board -2- should get a tour before it opens. TA advised that Mike Lutrzykowski was the point person for the project and that he anticipated that the Board could walk through in June, maintaining that as of now it is still a construction site. TA advised that everything would be new and we would be in no later than September 1st, but probably sooner. There was also talk about the 200-250% uptick in membership once it opens, but still looking for ways to draw people in; i.e. booking signings, community engagement and offering more men’s programs. LC asked if there was any update on equipment. TA advised that we would be pretty well taken care of but the one area we needed to fundraise for was fitness equipment. She and Trish O’Brien met with New England Fitness and have a meeting scheduled next week with another organization. JR suggested looking into leasing equipment. EM asked if there was a capital campaign and TA advised that Dominick Pangallo, Chief of Staff said there was no need. EM asked about increasing staff because of extended hours. TA advised that we would likely have to stagger hours for staff. TA thought it would be good to get into the new facility for a few weeks and then have a grand opening. There was talk about the upcoming budget approval and EM stated that she didn’t think a penny has been cut. A recommendation can be made for dollar cuts, but cannot dictate where it gets cut. She advised that if the budget is favorable with the Finance Committee, usually the City Council goes for it. TA advised that tomorrow she was having a meeting with the Mayor and Carol MacGown regarding housing and TA asked to have Sharon Felton present. JR advised that there were a lot of issues every year regarding senior housing and bullying and that there needed to be rules and regulations and consequences in place. All agreed. JR advised that sensitivity training and other training was being implemented. TA stated that we were trying to educate how to treat people and that she was in the process of developing a buddy system so that when a new member joins they would have someone that could help them. Next Board Meeting: June 20, 2018 A motion to adjourn is made by EH, seconded by JR, and passes unanimously. The meeting adjourns at 6:10 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Kathleen Fitzgerald, Clerk -3-