TOWN OF ARLINGTON
COUNCIL ON AGING
27 Maple Street
Arlington, MA 02476-4909
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Harry McCabe, Chair
Karen Nichols, Vice-Chair
Shirley Chapski, Secretary
Regular Meeting of the Council on Aging
October 23, 2008
MINUTES
Place and Time of Meeting: Arlington Senior Center, 27 Maple St, Arlington, 7:00 p.m.
Members Present : Lucilia Prates, William Carey, Harry McCabe, Ann FitzGerald, Joanne Morel, and Shirley Chapski
Members Absent: Mildred Hurd and Karen Nichols
Others Present: John Jope, COA Executive Director; Art Budnik, Friends of the COA, and Iris Nigro. Arlington resident
Quorum Identification/Call to Order: Harry McCabe presided and called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Shirley Chapski kept the minutes. A quorum of 5 was present. Bill Carey arrived at 7:25 p.m.
Minutes of the September 18, 2008 Regular Meeting: The minutes of the September 18, 2008 meeting were received. For purposes of discussion, Shirley moved to approve the minutes and Joanne seconded. There being no corrections to the minutes, all in favor. Motion carried.
Citizens Open Forum: Art Budnik and Iris Nigro were in attendance but did not speak.
~REPORT OF THE CHAIR: Harry pointed out the duties and responsibilities of the Chair’s position and that the board, as stated in the COA’s Policies and Procedures, agree to conduct its meetings in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. Harry distributed a booklet on Simplified Parliamentary Procedure published by the League of Women Voters.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
The Executive Director’s report was received; a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part of these minutes. John added the following:
?The ASA/COA Survey: All the data is in and from the 1000 surveys mailed out there have been 237 returns. John’s next task is to summarize the answers to each question and bring the combined set of figures to the joint boards for discussion. They will then review the figures and make recommendations to the two boards. John said it will take time due to other things going on at the Council on Aging.
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NEW BUSINESS
FY2010 COA Budget Recommendations: John included in the board package a Projected COA Budget for FY10 for the board’s review, discussion and recommendations. Harry said when we finish our work we will meet with Christine Connolly, then the Town Manager, followed by the Selectmen, and other committees prior to Town Meeting. The following positions were considered:
?Social Worker Position (new hire): The present social worker works 35 hour week and is overloaded and John proposes hiring another social worker who could also serve as an Intake/Referral worker. Lucilia moved to increase the proposed hours for an additional social worker position from 19 to 21 hours; Bill seconded. All in favor. Motion carried.
?Geriatric Nurse Specialist Position : It was proposed to increase this position presently at 21 hours/week to full time, 35 hours/week. Lucilia explained that elders are an extremely vulnerable population with limited advocates fighting for them and John added that it is difficult for the nurse to keep her time to 21 hours a week. Historically, this position was a full time 35 hour a week position and he strongly recommends that it be returned to 35 hours/week. Lucilia moved that the Geriatric Nurse Specialist position be increased from the present 21 hours/week to full time 35 hours/week; Bill seconded. All in favor. Motion carried .
?Volunteer/Transportation Coordinator Position: This position is currently a 28 hours/week position and Bill Murphy is comfortable with this. John said he can’t justify increasing the hours as Bill gets everything done in the 4 work days. All voted in favor to not increase the hours allocated to this position. Motion carried. ?Intake & Referral Worker Position: Discussion ensued with John saying this position does not belong in the Transportation Enterprise Fund but should be coming out of municipal funding. Further, it was agreed that the hours be increased to 35 per week. Lucilia moved to move the Intake & Referral Worker position from the Transportation Enterprise Fund into the Municipal Budget and increase the hours
for this position from the present 19 to 35 hours/week; Joanne seconded; All in favor. Motion carried.
Harry suggested that the position be kept in the Transportation Enterprise fund as it stands – 19 hours/week as well as in the Municipal budget as a 35 hours/week position because there is a danger in taking it out of the Enterprise Fund if we do not secure the recommended funding under the municipal budget. John will make the changes in the COA Projected Budget for FY10 and mail it to the members. Harry said the next step is to meet with Christine Connolly.
The full-time Van Driver’s hours, which are included in the Projected Budget for FY10 as “40+” under the Transportation Enterprise budget, was discussed. According to John, the “+” sign is meant to also cover the hours of the on-call driver. After discussion, it was agreed that John add the hours of the on-call driver separately. Lucilia suggested that we have a time line put together and a work plan as to when we will meet with Christine and when we will meet with the Town Manager, the Selectmen, etc.
MCOA Annual Conference Oct. 15-17, 2008: Ann said she, Karen and Joanne attended the conference and she read a summation of her impressions. Health care was the by word of the very well organized conference and workshops. She concluded her remarks by congratulating John on his successful 2-year term as President of the MCOA and to the MCOA for the receipt of the state award from the National Councils on Aging during John’s presidency.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
?Friends of the Arlington Council on Aging, Incorporated: As a follow-up to the board’s request, John distributed copies of the Friends By-Laws. Any questions pertaining to the By-laws will be addressed at a subsequent meeting of the COA.
?Round Table on Oil Heating Issues: Lucilia attended a recent round table in Salem on the anticipated oil heating problems and how it affects elders. Selectman, Annie La Court was also present at the discussions and Lucilia suggested to Annie the possibility of holding a forum in Arlington during the week or on a Saturday where elders could attend and voice their concerns. John asked that we think about this issue. Ann outlined the various resources available for qualified elders for help with their oil heating problems. Discussion followed and Harry said it would be helpful if a fact sheet were available. John suggested that if someone would like to write an article on the issue he would see that it gets in the newsletter. Lucilia also spoke on scams that are being perpetrated on
the elders
?Board Self-Assessment Survey: Will be on the agenda for the next meeting.
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OTHER REPORTS
?COA Representative/Liaison to Minutemen Senior Services: No report.
?COA Representative/Liaison to the ASA: No report.
?ASA Representative to COA: No report.
?Budget Committee: No report.
?Joint ASA/COA Committee: Harry attended the October meeting and shared his thoughts on the committee as a whole saying it could be a very important group for communication between the two entities. The next meeting is November 3, 2008 at 10:30 a.m.
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There being no further business to come before the meeting, Shirley moved to adjourn; Lucilia seconded; all in favor. Motion carried. Adjourned at 8:58 p.m.
~Shirley Chapski, Secretary
Next Regular Meeting November 20, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
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