Special Meeting of the Council on Aging
February 27, 2003
MINUTES
Members Present: Richard Murray, Mary Dodge, Harry McCabe, Mildred Hurd,
Mara Klein and Shirley Chapski
Members Absent: Dorothy Nicholas
Others Present: John Jope, COA Executive Director; Gloria von Hyeburg, ASA
President; Charles Schwab, ASA Asst. Treasurer; and Joan Pippin, ASA
Coordinator.
Quorum Identification/Call to Order: Richard Murray called the meeting to
order at 6:30 p.m. Shirley Chapski kept the minutes. A quorum of 6 was
present. Richard stated that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the
COA Budget, the formula grant, and other budget proposals. Richard asked John
Jope to begin the session.
John reported as follows:
• The COA CDBG Funding Request for FY2004 was delivered to the Town on
February 24. The total amount of the request is $138,012. Block grant
requests will be submitted to the Selectmen at their March 3 Board meeting.
He urged as many COA and ASA members as possible attend the meeting.
• A memo from David P. Stevens, Director MCOA dated Feb 26, highlighting
the changes affecting the MCOA due to Gov. Romney’s proposed budget. One
change would be a 20% cut in formula grant funding in FY2004.
• John next explained charts he had prepared and distributed. Chart (a)
being the current fiscal year budget without the November reductions, (b) the
Town Manager’s recommended budget for FY 04, and (c) a projection prepared by
John, at the Board’s request, showing a budget for FY2004 modified to 19%.
• John’s document outlining budget strategies to consider. The possibility
of conducting a fund-raising endeavor with the ASA was discussed. Richard
asked John to put something in writing to the ASA Board requesting a joint
meeting. Gloria will present the letter at the March 7 ASA board meeting.
COA board members were asked to attend said meeting.
• If the nurse’s hours are further reduced to we stand to lose our status
as a field site for student nurses. Mara asked if John had done any
projections on how the proposed cutbacks in the nurse’s and social worker’s
hours would impact seniors. Richard asked John if a comparison could be done
showing the proposed 60% reduction versus a 19% reduction. Harry advised that
we produce figures of our own to present to the Finance Cte. Mara suggested
adding “stories” illustrating the number of elders who will lose services if
the recommended cutbacks are implemented.
Next, Harry distributed a report he had prepared at the request of the
Council, a copy of which is attached, showing (a) COA Budget for FY 2003 as
amended November 6, 2002, (b) COA Budget Comparison FY2003 v. FY2003
(amended), (c) COA Budget Proposal FY2004 (100%), (d) COA Budget
Recommendation by the Town Manager for FY2004 ( 45% cut), (e) COA Budget
Comparison FY2004 (100% Budget v. Manager’s Proposal, (f) COA Budget Proposal
FY2004 (cut based on 19% formula, and (g) COA Budget Proposal FY2004 (45% Cut
“Worst Case Scenario”). Item (g) represents Harry’s personal recommendations
if the COA had to take a 45% cut because he felt it preserves services to
COA clients to the greatest extent possible. There followed a lively
discourse but no action taken.
There being no further discussion, Mary moved to adjourn, Shirley
seconded; five in favor, Harry against, motion carried. Adjourned at 8:00
p.m.
Shirley Chapski,
Secretary
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