ARLINGTON COUNCIL ON AGING
Regular Meeting of the Council on Aging
March 20, 2003
MINUTES
Members Present: Mary Dodge, Harry McCabe, Mildred Hurd, Dorothy Nicholas,
Mara Klein and Shirley Chapski. Richard Murray joined the meeting at 8:35 pm.
Others Present: John Jope, COA Executive Director.
Quorum Identification/Call to Order: Mary Dodge, Vice Chair, presided and
called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Mary asked for a moment of silence
for our soldiers overseas. Shirley Chapski kept the minutes. A quorum of 6
was present.
Minutes of the February 20, 2003 Meeting: Shirley moved to receive the
Minutes of the February 20, 2003 meeting; Mara seconded. All in favor. Dottie
moved to approve the minutes, Shirley seconded. All in favor.
Minutes of the February 27, 2003 Special Meeting: Harry moved and Mildred
seconded to table the February 27, 2003 Minutes until the Chairman could be
in attendance. Three voted to table; three against.
REPORTS
Executive Director’s Report
• FY 2004 Budget:
—A letter, under Richard Murray’s name, was sent today to the Town Finance
Cte. requesting a time for a meeting to discuss the FY04 budget.
—John next commented on his document,The COA Returns More Than It Receives,
showing how the proposed cuts in staff hours would impact delivery of COA
services.
—Discussion ensued on the FY2004 Budget as Recommended by Patsy Kraemer to
the Town Mgr. and John’s spreadsheet “FY2004: What’s Needed to Exist,” which
he prepared at Richard’s request. Harry stated our first priority is to
prepare for a meeting with the Finance Cte.
•Assisted Living/Housing Options Task Force: The COA does not have a
representative on that commission at this time. Dottie expressed an interest
in serving in this capacity.
•COA Representative to Minutemen Senior Services: This position is being
considered by Phyllis Bailey.
•COA representative to ASA: Mildred reported that the ASA St. Patrick’s Day
party which she attended was very successful. She expressed disappointment in
the last ASA meeting because she was expecting a discussion concerning a
joint meeting of the ASA and COA boards but it did not happen. Harry said
that there is a lot of support in the ASA for a joint meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(a) Changing some board meeting locations to accommodate the public. Harry
moved that we table decision on meeting locations. There was no seconding
motion. Discussion followed and Mara suggested adding the Millbrook Building
to the list of Housing Authority complexes. Richard was not sure it could be
done but would try to achieve Mill Street as a goal. John and Mildred will
follow up on getting permission to hold a meeting there. Harry spoke against
holding COA meetings in the public housing facilities. Richard said the
presidents of the tenants’ associations are looking forward to seeing us.
The meeting would have to be cleared beforehand with the tenants association
president for the site selected.
After discussion, Dottie suggested conducting a trial schedule for off
site board meetings.
Mara moved to hold the April meeting at Winslow Towers, the May meeting
at the Senior Center, and the June meeting at Drake Village — the off site
meetings on a trial basis; Dottie seconded; five voted in favor; Harry
opposed; Richard abstained. Motion carried.
(b) Minutes of the February 27, 2003 Special Meeting: Harry moved and
Richard seconded to receive the February 27, 2003 Minutes. All in favor.
Harry moved to approve the minutes for purposes of discussion, Mara seconded,
all in favor. The following change was made: the second to the last
paragraph, delete “statement he had drawn up” to “a report he had prepared
at the request of the Council, a copy of which is attached. . .”. Harry
moved to approve the minutes, as corrected, Mildred seconded, all in favor.
(c) Appointment from Arlington COA to Minuteman Senior Services Board: Harry
requested that John send Phyllis Bailey a letter inviting her to join the
board.
(d) Posting board openings on the Town home page. Discussion took place on
how best to recruit new board members. It was agreed that the applicants
show a commitment to the elderly. John will pursue advertising for
prospective members and report to the Council.
(e) Student Government Day, May 1, 2003. The program involves high school
juniors and seniors as a learning experience in local government. Mildred
volunteered (as she has in past years) to join with John in participating in
this activity.
NEW BUSINESS
•TRIAD Program for Arlington: Mara explained that TRIAD is a national
program which assigns police officers to work solely with seniors at risk.
For example, the TRIAD officer can do a “wander alert” or respond to a
domestic elder abuse situation. She is not sure how it is funded but can get
some more information. Mara suggested deferring this item due to the budget
crises. However, if we ever want to, she could invite Jon Bailey from
Waltham, who is one of leaders in the state involved in this program, to
speak with the board. Harry asked Mara to invite Jon Bailey to talk to the
board.
•RUOK Program: In response to Richard’s inquiry, John said we are getting
the word out on the program but response has been slow. A segment on RUOK
has been taped for TV.
•Date of Next Regular Board Meeting: Shirley moved to change the date of the
next board meeting from April 17 to April 24 at 7:30 at Winslow Towers,
subject to the call of the Chair; Mildred seconded; all in favor.
There being no further business to come before the meeting, Shirley
moved to adjourn, Dottie seconded; all in favor.
Adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Shirley Chapski,
Secretary
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