ARLINGTON COUNCIL ON AGING
27 Maple Street
Arlington, MA 02476-4909
Town of Arlington
Lynne Larkin, Chair; Elizabeth McGaffigan, Vice-Chair, Shirley Chapski, Secretary
Regular Meeting of the Council on Aging
February 17, 2005
MINUTES
Place and Time of Meeting: Arlington Senior Center, 27 Maple St., Arlington, 7:30 p.m. Members Present: Lynne Larkin, Mildred Hurd, Robert Carey, Harry McCabe, Elizabeth McGaffigan, Ruth Palumbo, Paul West and Shirley Chapski.
Others Present: John Jope, COA Executive Director, Bill Murphy, COA Transportation Coordinator, Charles Schwab, President, Arl. Seniors Assoc., Joan Pippin, Arl. Seniors Assoc., Andrew Fischer, Town Meeting member and Town Cte. on Health Ins. and Annette Bender, Town Cte. On Health Ins. Quorum Identification/Call to Order: Lynne Larkin, Chair, presided and called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Shirley Chapski,
Secretary, kept the minutes. A quorum of eight was present.
Minutes of the January 20, 2005 Meeting: Harry moved to receive the minutes of the January 20, 2005 meeting; Elizabeth seconded; all in favor. Harry moved to approve the minutes for purposes of discussion, Shirley seconded. There being no corrections to the minutes, all voted in favor to approve the minutes.
Citizens’ Open Forum: Andrew Fischer spoke on the research and findings of the Community Based Health Insurance Study Committee explaining that the committee was established by Town Meeting in the spring of 2003 with the mandate to investigate and report back to the town what benefits would accrue to the town if a community-based health insurance plan were to be established. Andrew distributed information on the plan and said the plan was conceptual at this point but would welcome suggestions. The eventual goal would be for most people in Arlington to be enrolled in one health insurance plan.
Executive Director’s Report: The Executive Director’s Report is attached hereto and made a part of the minutes. John referred to Item #1 of his report stating that Kevin O’Brien, the Town’s CDBG Planner will expect all FY06 requests the beginning of March. It would be helpful if COA board members could attend the Finance Committee meeting later in March to lend their support of COA needs.
Harry said that Pres. Bush plans to ask Congress to do away with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding completely. If Congress agrees, it will not take effect until next year. Discussion followed with Ruth proposing letter writing in response to this crisis and Paul mentioned that the Board of Selectman has voted to send a letter to Arlington’s congressional delegation expressing their concern. Harry agreed to draft a letter on this issue from the COA to the Board of Selectmen and bring it to the COA’s next meeting for signatures.
Item #3 Governor’s FY06 Budget Recommendations for Elder Affairs. The Councils on Aging line item was level-funded ($6,500,000) despite efforts to increase it by a million dollars. The Budget next goes to the House Ways and Means.
Item #5 (new item): COA’s Intake and Referral worker is on medical leave and her responsibilities are being split amongst the staff. The van driver is back after an illness. Lastly, the copier is beyond repair — a new one is on order.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
•COA/ASA Pot Luck Supper: Shirley gave an update on the pot luck supper. The original date of February 10 didn’t work because of the weather so it is now scheduled for March 10, 2005 at 6:30 at the Whittemore Robbins House.
OTHER REPORTS:
Pay-As-You-Throw Committee: Elizabeth reported that the PAYT Committee submitted its report on December 6 to the Board of Selectmen and nothing has happened since then.
NEW BUSINESS:
•The Transportation Program Overview: Ruth, who is heading the Transportation Program Overview Committee, explained that the undertaking is in its initial phase, that transportation needs have changed and funding is not stable. She met with John Jope and Bill Murphy prior to
the board meeting and reviewed the use of vans, volunteer services and taxi vouchers. The discussion covered the possibility of doing a mini needs assessment and putting questions in The Advocate and the senior newsletter to determine what people use the transportation services for
currently, what they would be willing to pay for service outside of Arlington, and what are their ideas about recruiting additional volunteers. Harry, Bob and Lynne have also agreed to serve on the committee.
•Annual Volunteer Appreciation Supper: Bill Murphy that that the annual volunteer recognition will take place on Friday, April 29, at 4:30pm at the Senior Center. This is a combined ASA/COA celebration of volunteers and he encouraged all board members to attend.
There being no further business to come before the meeting, Harry moved to adjourn, Shirley seconded; all in favor.
Adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Shirley Chapski,
Secretary
Date of next Regular Meeting, March 17, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
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