Regular Meeting of the Council on Aging
May 15, 2003
MINUTES
Place and Time of Meeting: Arlington Senior Center at 1:00 p.m.
Members Present: Mary Dodge, Mildred Hurd, Mara Klein, Shirley Chapski, and
Dorothy Nicholas (joined the meeting at 2:15 p)
Absent: Richard Murray and Harry McCabe
Others Present: John Jope, COA Executive Director.
Quorum Identification/Call to Order: Mary Dodge Vice Chair, presided and
called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. Shirley Chapski kept the minutes. A
quorum of 4 was present.
Minutes of the April 24, 2003 Meeting: Shirley moved to receive the minutes
of the April 24, 2003 meeting; Mara seconded; all in favor. Shirley moved to
approve said minutes; Mildred seconded; all in favor.
Citizens’ Open Forum: Barbara Cholakos, Lake St, Arlington, spoke on making
donated cell phones available to seniors, at no cost to them, as an emergency
measure when they are driving. The cell phones (which would be disconnected to
the service provider) would then be programmed to 911 and connect to State
Police. Other towns already have this program in place. Ms. Cholakos would like
Arlington to consider adopting such a program. Mary said the matter will be
put on the agenda for next month’s meeting.
David Landskov, Oldham Rd., and Julie Dunn, Gray St., members of Together
for Arlington, a group campaigning for the Proposition 2-1/2 override spoke.
They have a talk scheduled for May 20 at the Senior Center and distributed
flyers on the meeting. Mary said 75% of the override was for the schools and only
25% for the rest of the town--she would like to know how seniors could be
helped. Mara also said she would like to see how the override would be
allocated. In conclusion.
REPORTS
Executive Director’s Report
•Because of cuts in funding some services and programs will be impacted. Has
met with staff concerning prioritization and what could be done in worst
case scenarios.
•The Board of Health will be sharing space with the COA and will be moving
into their new offices the week of June 23. The Fuel Assistance Program and the
Center for Cancer Support and Education will vacate the premises.
•The Podiatry Clinic is one of those programs that will be going. Shirley
questioned why the Podiatry Clinic will be stopped when it doesn’t cost us
anything. John said a nurse has to be present during the clinic and Teri Susi will
not be available to cover this clinic. Shirley felt something could be worked
out and further discussion is needed.
•John is working on a public statement about what services are and what are
not going to be available.
•Continues to work with Bill Murphy who is starting several new efforts.
•Student Government Day, May 1, went very well. There was some interest in
volunteerism and John and Bill will follow up on this.
•John and Bill attended the monthly meeting of the Arlington Interfaith
Assoc. and left material on the RUOK program. John plans to have Bill do a lot of
outreach for the COA and its volunteer efforts.
•Mara pointed out that in the Report of the Finance Committee the recommended
salary for FY04 for the Board of Health nurse has been increased while the
COA nurse is not receiving any municipal funding. Shirley wondered since the COA
secretary would be supporting the Board of Health in addition to her regular
duties, why couldn't the Board of Health nurse give us some time and help
cover the podiatry and blood pressure clinics. Mara and Mary will try to meet with
Patsy Kramer to discuss the funding. Mara left the meeting to phone Ms.
Kramer to set up a meeting to discuss finances. Ms. Kramer not in the office
today; left message.
Finance Committee: John reviewed the financial report which had been
distributed to the members prior to the meeting. Lines 2 through 6, Municipal
Funding--we remain very tight on these but can stretch them until the end of the
fiscal year. Sanborn Grant received $20,00 last month. All in all, we are good
shape and where we are supposed to be at this point in the fiscal year.
COA Representative to ASA: Mildred reported that at the last ASA board
meeting discussions took place concerning a health fair, new membership form, and
the purchase of a canopy. The ASA felt COA wanted to buy its own and they would
buy their own. Mary asked that we table discussion of the canopy until the
June meeting.
COA Representative to Minuteman Services: John reported that neither Dr.
Forbes nor Lois Carderelli could attend today’s meeting but that Dr. Forbes will
attend the June meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
•COA Representative to Minutemen Senior Services: Joan Butler informed John
that Arlington should have three, not two, appointees to their board so we need
need to appoint a third representative. The liaison position can be a
Minuteman board member and Dr. Forbes may be interested in doing that.
•Job Description for COA Board Members: Discussion took place concerning the
draft Volunteer Job Description: COA Board Member distributed by John; no
action taken. •Election of Officers: Tabled until June meeting.
•COA Board Vacancies: We are advertising for new members and Sue Culhane of
the Housing Authority will have a notice on COA board vacancies in the July
Housing newsletter. Mildred talked with Sean Garbelly about serving on the
board. He cannot commit because of college plans but offered to volunteer some
hours this summer. Mary gave his name to Bill Murphy for follow-up.
NEW BUSINESS
•Change of Date for June Board Meeting: After discussion, it was agreed that
the date of the next meeting be changed from June 19 to June 26, 2003 at 7:30
p.m. at Drake Village.
•Proposal for a Senior Health Fair: At 2:10 p.m. Terry Susi, COA nurse,
joined the meeting and made a presentation for a Senior Health Fair to be held in
October. Three RNs and ten nursing students from UMA Boston, Community Health
Nursing Program spent over 16 weeks identifying, researching and assessing
the top ten most frequently reported health issues in the Town of Arlington in
the 60 and older population. The Senior Health Fair would address those issues.
Various institutions, organizations and personnel would be involved. She
suggests that the Health Fair be funded from the Sevoyan Bequest Fund at
approximately $4,000.
Mary asked that this item be put on the agenda for next month. The board
complimented Terry on a job well done.
There being no further business to come before the meeting, Shirley
moved to adjourn, Mary seconded; all in favor.
Adjourned at 2:40 p.m.
Shirley Chapski,
Secretary
Date of next Regular Meeting, June 26, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. at Drake Village
| 
