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2000-05-02City of Beverly, Massachusetts Public Meeting Minutes Board: Council on Aging Subcommittee: Date: May 2, 2000 Place: Senior Community Center Board members present: Joseph A. Dettorre, Ellen M. Skryness, Robert Marshall, Cynthia Montalbano and Nancy M. Winter Board members absent: Susan Albiero, Kathryn Burns, Joan Fairbank Others present: Leslee Breen, Director of the Council on Aging; Thomas Scully, Director of Community Services Recorder: Ellen M. Skryness The meeting was called to order by Nancy Winter at 2:40pm. Bob made a motion to approve the March meeting minutes, Ellen seconded and the motion carried. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Building usage consisted of 5 Bingo and 6 events. Four events were the Recreation Department and two were city meetings. The Bingo report was reviewed. The Financial Report was reviewed. On the financial report, Leslee clarified that Gold Star Coffee is $.35 more; $194.45 instead of $194.10. Joseph Muise is the band. The cost of the band is per piece. For example a 15 piece band is more expensive than a 10 piece band. Bob made a motion to accept the financial report and Ellen seconded. The motion carried. UPDATE: Sgt. Tarsook is progressing nicely on the COA parking. He has spoken with the City Engineer, MA Electric and the MBTA. They say 3 to 6 months for completion of the gravel parking. Complaints on the Kiwanis free spring clean up for elders were made by approximately 10 disgruntled people. Organization by Kiwanis was poor and there was a lack of communication with the elderly. They are doing it again this weekend. If Kiwanis can't keep their commitment with the elderly person, Leslee will call that person. Fall will be limited to 20 people until Kiwanis can handle more. Resignation as of Friday, 5/12/2000 for Janice Fortin, driver. There is an ad in HR for a replacement. Request for a waiver was made by the Beverly Historical Society for June 1 in the hall, 6:30 - 9:00 pm for a video presentation. Joe made a motion to waive the fee for the Historical event but the Historical Society must pay the custodial fee of $100. Cynthia seconded and the motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 4/18 - Communication Committee - small group, no reportable business 4/18 - Friend's Meeting - Voted to buy COA a new TV. 4/25 - Fundraising Subcommittee - 15 people attended the breakfast. Susan did a good job as a spokeswoman for the committee. People spoke with Leslee after the meeting concerning his/her ideas. Peter Gilmore will attend the legislature's meeting and a COA volunteer will get involved. Porch update. The Building Inspector is difficult to reach since he is on the road a lot. Tom will be seeing him Thursday and will let us know. Council on Aging member update - Tom is talking with the Mayor concerning this. So far the Mayor has said removal of ex officio members is up to us. Tom will write a letter for COA to consist of 9 members and to remove ex officio members. Susan's reappointment should be okay. The slate of officers will be done next month. Leslee will put a notice in the newsletter to say if anyone is interested in being a member of the board to send a letter to the Mayor. NEW BUSINESS: Transportation report was discussed. For example 466 people are being given 14,816 rides. Unmet needs in this area are the 292 requests denied from 144 people. We are providing many rides to 500 out of 7500 seniors in the city. Leslee may do another survey. Another vehicle could be used for expanded out of town trips. For the trips denied some were denied because the center was closed, some were to go to Boston. Tom suggested a survey of 500 random calls. We use the software program developed by Elder Affairs for COA's. It requires daily entry and participants have supported the staff by filling out daily attendance sheets. Manchester and Beverly COA's applied for the Senior Care transportation grant to purchase a new van. Leslee is considering a fundraiser also. The city has also been approached for a bus. There is a surge of transportation requests from Ocean View. Leslee is tracking this as some elders are confused. It's not a problem at this time but may be in the future. For example some are confused and forgetful and they don't know where they are going. Leslee is conversing with the social worker at Ocean View concerning these issues. One woman will need an escort in future rides. COA documentation is done to show we have made reasonable efforts to transport problematic people. (Alzheimers, poor language, threats, forgetful, confused) Ellen made a motion to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 3:45 pm. The next meeting is June 6 at 2:30pm.