COUNCIL ON AGING BOARD MEETING

January 16, 2007

Present:  Ellen Bender, Faye Berzon, Eliot Feldman, Hy Lamb, Rob Maidman, Lil Savage, Marilyn Stewart, Arnold Kublin, Millie Berman, Irene Carpenter, Sid Rosenthal, Mindy Kempner, Norma Simons Fitzgerald

Absent:  Sheila Pallay

The meeting was called to order at 2:40 p.m. by Arnold Kublin.  The minutes of the December19, 2006, meeting were approved.

Executive Director’s report:  Norma reported on Senator Cream’s property tax bill.  Sen. Joyce is also filing some bills on property tax.

Summary of budget for 2007-2008: Arnold spoke about the need for a custodian for the new building. The town is aware of the custodial issues but has indicated that a full-time custodian is unlikely. Norma has asked Ben to make sure that the COA is part of the planning process when decisions about custodial services for the whole center are being considered.

Millie pointed out that the residents of Stony Brook have a petition to keep the daily meals at Stony Brook and not move them to the new center. The COA and senior center program committee will be addressing this issue. The regional COAs are also asking to speak with Chandra and others at HESSCO regarding the meals program.

Mindy said that the governor is not going to come out with a new budget until later.

Rob was asked if we should invite the selectmen here now.  He thought we should wait awhile.  Comcast is going to be charging the senior center $60/month for internet service.  Norma will look into this further.

Community Center update:  The building is on schedule, and project is moving forward nicely.

Committee Reports:

• Housing – nothing different to report
• Arnold spoke about Community Preservation Act – Sharon has about $750,000/year available.  About 1.2M will be put into the Horizons for Youth purchase.
• Arnold was at a HESSCO Advisory Board meeting and asked members about name for senior center.  Those at the meeting felt the use of the name Senior Center had a stigma.

Commission on Disabilities:  Sid still has a problem with sidewalks.  Telephone poles have to be moved.  There is also a problem with the Victory of God Church.  Hy Lamb is to check on the automatic doors at high school.

It was suggested that the new Recreation Department director be asked to come to our February meeting. The next meeting will be Tuesday, February 13, 2:45 p.m.

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

Marilyn J. Stewart, Secretary