Regular Meeting of the Council on Aging
September 11, 2003
MINUTES
Place and Time of Meeting: Arlington Senior Center, 27 Maple St., Arlington, 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Mary Dodge, Harry McCabe, Mildred Hurd, Mara Klein,
Dorothy Nicholas, Lynne Larkin, Elizabeth McGaffigan and Shirley Chapski.
Absent: Shari Baron
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. Shirley Chapski kept the minutes. A
quorum of 8 was present. Mary welcomed the new members and extended past Chair,
Richard Murray’s greetings and best wishes for a good year.
Minutes of the June 26, 2003 Meeting: Mildred moved to receive the minutes
of the June 26, 2003 meeting; Shirley seconded; all in favor. There being no
changes to the minutes, Shirley moved to accept the minutes, Mara seconded,
seven voted to accept the minutes, Harry abstained because he was not present at
the meeting.
REPORTS
Executive Director’s Report
•Major changes have taken place; the Arlington Board of Health is now sharing space with
the COA and everything is going well. Christine Connelly, Director of the BOH, will work
with John in splitting the costs of the photocopier and office supplies.
• COA staff hours have been cut and the clerk/secretary is supporting the
BOH, as well as the COA despite the reduction in her hours. Christine Connelly
and John working on restoring the clerk/secretary’s hours to full time.
•The Consumer Advocate and paid receptionist positions have been cut but
volunteers are covering the receptionist’s desk.
•Formula grant funding has been reduced this year from $43,000 to $33,000.
However, since Elder Affairs has just increased the formula grant we will
receive some additional funding.
•Harry’s feels we should be concentrating on next year’s funding but in the
meantime perhaps the Arlington Seniors Assocociation could help either through
lobbying or fund raising. He proposed that the two boards get together to
discuss the issue. Lynne suggested it be given some thought and be dealt with at
the next meeting.
•The Volunteer program under the direction of Bill Murphy is going ahead by
leaps and bounds and we now have 8 or 9 medical escorts. He is working on an
Intergenerational Task Force. Transportation services are continuing unchanged.
ASA Representative to the COA: Gloria von Hyeburg unable to attend.
Finance Committee: No report; The committee has not met.
Sevoyan Bequest Committee: No report.
Assisted Living/Housing Options Task Force: John said in practice the
committee doesn’t exist any longer. Harry asked if Alex Moschella was still chairman
John said he hasn’t heard one way of the other. John will contact Alex and
ask for a status report.
COA Representative/liaison to Minuteman Senior Services: This position
remains unfilled. John will again contact Minuteman Board member, Dr. Forbes, to
find out if he is interested in serving as liaison.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
• Election of Officers: No decision reached; matter tabled until October
meeting.
•Senior Health Fair: The Health Fair proposed in May ‘03 by UMASS, Boston,
Community Health Nursing students and COA nurse, Terry Susi, will take place
on October 23. Terry requested the COA Board to approve the withdrawal of
$4,000 from the Gift Fund for the Health Fair. After discussion, Dottie moved to
subsidize the Health Fair in an amount not to exceed $4,000 from the Gift
Fund; Mildred seconded; four voted in favor; 3 opposed; one abstained. Motion
denied.
The Board supports the idea of a Health Fair and Harry asked John to have
Terry Susi be particularly observant at the upcoming Health Fair and that she
write a critique. Mara asked that Terry keep track of how many persons were
turned away from tests because of lack of insurance
•Job Description for COA Board Members: Harry requested that the item be
tabled until the October meeting.
•COA Representative to Minutemen Senior Services: In addition to the two
appointees we presently have to the Minuteman Senior Services board, one more is
required from Arlington. John will inform Marcia Wood, Nominating/Membership
Committee, Minuteman Senior Services that we are actively seeking a person to
fill this position.
•Sevoyan Dental Subsidy Pilot Program: John will submit a final report to
the Board next month and will recommend the continuation of the program. Since
Dr Toyias is no longer associated with the program, John and Terry will work on
having an evaluative dentist locally. Decision to renew the program tabled
until next month.
•Town Day, Sept 13: Discussion took place on transporting items to the COA
table on the avenue and changes were made in the staffing schedule. Mary has
purchased a canopy.
•Possible Fees for Services: (Tabled from June mtg.) John will talk with
John Maher; item tabled until October meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
•TRIAD Program: Mara reported that Ruth Gately, Waltham COA Director and Jon
Bailey, Waltham TRIAD officer, cannot meet with the Board late in the day.
Mara suggested setting up a subcommittee to hear a presentation earlier in the
day by Officer Bailey and Ruth Gately. Mara will arrange the meeting. Shirley
suggested inviting the rest of board to attend.
•MCOA Annual Conference: The conference will be held on October 15-17, 2003
at Sea Crest Resort in Falmouth. Shirley is attending one day and several of
the COA staff are planning to attend. John said that he has been asked by
the MCOA Nominating Committee to serve on their Board of Directors for a second
year.
•Date of Next COA Board Meeting: Because of scheduling conflicts, it was
agreed to meet on Tues, October 21.
There being no further business to come before the meeting, Shirley
moved to adjourn, Mary seconded; all in favor.
Adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Shirley Chapski,
Secretary
Date of next Regular Meeting, October 21, 2003 at 7:30 p.m.
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