Middleton Council on Aging
Regular Meeting
April 4th, 2011
Middleton Senior Center
Members present: Donahue (alt.), Fucarile (alt.), Goodwin, D. Leary, F. Leary, Lee, LeMay, and Walczak
Members absent: Martinuk, and Racine
Presiding: David Cowie
Others Susan Gannon, Executive Director
Chairman Cowie called the meeting to order at 9:20.
Minutes –Mr. D. Leary made a motion to accept the minutes of the March meeting. Mr. Goodwin seconded the motion, and all were in favor.
Committee reports
Trips - All information about trips is in the newsletter
Activities – No activities
Friends – The Friends would like to remind the Center that they will fund a drawing for each trip so that one participant will be reimbursed the cost of the trip
Newsletter – The newsletter has been sent out
North Shore Elder Services – Mr. F. Leary reported that NSES is attempting to develop a formal evaluation of both the Executive Director and the Board of Directors. He suggested that the CoA not count on funding from NSES when developing their future budgets. The nutrition program is in peril. NSES might be looking at consolidating meals sites. Mr. Leary expects that people coming out of the hospital will be fine. Clients who only receive home delivered meals might be affected. Weekend meals may be withdrawn. Some eligibility criteria may be instituted for receiving meals. The program is currently running at a $70,000 deficit. He feels that a number of for-profit companies are waiting for non-profits such as NSES to collapse so they can skim the cream. Mr.
Goodwin asked when the changes are likely to occur. Mr. Leary said six months.
Old Business –A special Appreciation Luncheon is planned for May 19th
New Business
Reappointments – There was a brief discussion of who was up for reappointment and how the process is handled. The reappointment letters come from the Board of Selectmen.
Building Issues – An Eagle Scout has submitted a plan for the Tramp House. Ms. Gannon has a meeting coming up with the Historic Commission about the landscaping, front stairs and exterior painting. There is money encumbered from the current fiscal year which can be added to the appropriation on the Fiscal Year 2011 warrant. Some of the work may be done by the Vocational School or by prisoners in the work release program. A number of smaller maintenance jobs have already been completed. She hopes that the rest of the work will be completed within four months. This includes pavers on either side of the back stairs. There is money in a memorial fund to purchase outside furniture for the patio. The furniture will probably have to be bolted down for security. The hope is
that the area can be enjoyed by July. Eventually the hope is for the Tramp House to be used for special events such as art shows.
Meals Program – Mr. Cowie asked whether the home cooked meal program would be expanded. Ms. Gannon said that she had requested additional funding for the program but was turned down. The program can’t expand until it is self-funding. If NSES cuts out the $9300 that Middleton gets, there will be no way to make it up. It is possible that on May 16th, Middleton will find out that there will be no money as of October 1st.
Mr. Cowie asked whether everyone was paying what they should for the congregate meals. Ms. Gannon said that some people pay monthly so it may appear that they don’t pay because they don’t use the envelopes. Some special events are also paid from other funds.
Adjournment – Mr. F. Leary made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. D. Leary seconded the motion and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 10:10.
Respectfully submitted,
________________________
Mary Jane Morrin, Recording Secretary
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