Middleton Council on Aging
Regular Meeting
June 29th, 2011
Middleton Senior Center
Members present: Donahue (alt.), Fucarile (alt.), Goodwin, F. Leary, Lee, LeMay, Martinuk, and Walczak
Members absent: D. Leary, and Racine
Presiding: Mr. David Cowie
Others Susan Gannon, Executive Director
Chairman Cowie called the meeting to order at 9:35.
Minutes –Ms. LeMay made a motion to accept the minutes of the May meeting. Ms. Martinuk seconded the motion, and all were in favor.
Director’s Report – Ms. Gannon passed out the Director’s Report. The awards letter for the work on the building has been done. The Kiwannis Picnic is scheduled for July 21st.
Committee Reports
Trips – An all-day trip to Cape Cod is planned
Activities – no report
Newsletter- Ms. LeMay said that the newsletters are in. They are ready to be assembled and sent out.
Friends Group – The Friends will not meet until September. They have sent out their annual membership letters. They continue to offer a monthly $20 Bingo prize and to sponsor a raffle so one trip participant receives a free trip.
North Shore Elder Services (NSES) – Mr. Leary passed out the NSES monthly report. He said that NSES is currently looking at a $305,000 deficit. This might be affected by the state budget. Lower funding is expected. Mr. Goodwin asked who picks up the tab for the deficit. Mr. Leary said it would not be the local CoAs. He explained that the revenue stream involves grants and fees as well as the state budget. He does not expect any improvement. He said there is enough money on hand to pay current bills and that NSES has a $1,000,000 line of credit. Fundraising is now necessary to meet expenses. He added that GLSS (Greater Lynn Senior Services) may be offering services in Middleton for a fee. He also discussed the Partnership with Patients program. When someone comes out of the hospital and can’t pay for services, they may have no one to provide the care they need. The alternative transition from hospital to home is expensive nursing home care. Partnership with Patients
seeks to develop alliances to reduce costs. NSES will work with other providers such as Merrimack Valley to develop common policies. Mr. Leary feels that NSES may have to develop a for profit aspect such as has been done by AARP and by the Red Cross.
New Business
Grants – Ms. Gannon said that if NSES stops its grant program October 1st, the CoA will lose $14,000 in funding that it can’t make up, because the budget is already set. The Letter of Intent for both the Nutrition and Outreach grants has been submitted. She added that the Center will have to keep providing services even without the grants because they won’t let people go hungry. Mr. Leary said that the grants will probably be cut back to what is required by state law. Ms. Gannon said that Middleton is fortunate to have a Registered Nurse and a Psychiatric Social Worker willing to work under the voucher program.
Building – The planned flooring work is done. The wood floors will be refinished in the future. The painting is almost complete. Proposals for the front door and steps are being sought. The upper patio project has been finished by the Eagle Scout candidate. There are plans to paint the exterior and some heating and air conditioning work is also needed.
Ms. Racine has decided not to seek re appointment to the Council.
REACT – Ms. Gannon has attended a meeting of REACT which is a coalition of first responder agencies such as police and fire. They discussed mutual aid and disaster preparedness.
Ms. Gannon reported that there was a break-in at the Center and money was stolen.
Mr. Leary told the Council that he is resigning from his position at NSES. He is looking for a second representative from Middleton. That person should be willing to put in a lot of time. Joan Shea-Desmond is the other representative and is doing a wonderful job.
Ms. LeMay brought up the cost of transportation for trips. She thinks $5.00 is too steep. Ms. Gannon said that she had been making the trips free for the first six months of the fiscal year and then raising the fee to $5.00. She is going to try averaging the fee to $3.00.
Ms. Gannon reported that a new cook is needed for the Wednesday home cooked meals program. Donations from New Brothers and others will keep it going for a few weeks. The charge has been reduced to $1.00 since it is pot luck.
Board reorganization nominations:
Mr. Goodwin nominated Mr. Cowie for a second term as chair. Mr. Walczak seconded the nomination.
Mr. Walczak nominated Mr. D. Leary for a second term as vice-chair. Mr. F. Leary seconded the nomination.
A vote was taken and all were in favor of submitting this slate for consideration at the July Meeting.
Adjournment – Mr. F. Leary made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Martinuk seconded the motion and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 10:20
Respectfully submitted,
________________________
Mary Jane Morrin, Recording Secretary
Documents referenced at the is meeting
North Shore Elder Services Report (for May)
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