COUNCIL ON AGING BOARD MEETING

December 15, 2009

 

Present: Sheila Pallay, Rob Maidman, Elliot Feldman, Arnold Kublin, Hy Lamb, Lillian Savage, Marilyn Stewart, Rita Edelston, Norma Simons Fitzgerald

Absent: Faye Berzon

 

The minutes of the November 13, 2009, meeting were approved.

 

There was a presentation by Susan Edinger, COA social worker, describing what her job entails and what her qualifications are to carry out this position.  Susan also commented about how passionately she loves her work.  Not only does she work with elders and disabled, but also with fuel assistance applications and she pointed out that this results in raising other issues and additional family members are involved.  She is involved with 114 people who participate in the tax work off program; two support groups (Caregivers’ and Cancer) with the possibility of more being formed.  Susan is trying to form a support group consisting of older people who are caring for disabled younger children.  She is trying to find ways to educate people around issues dealing with health and wellness.

 

Arnold pointed out the importance of what she is doing and since it encompasses and includes such a wide range of issues, it is perhaps necessary for Susan to appear more frequently before the Board so that we might be able to contribute some assistance to her.  He also pointed out that it is important to maintain a balance on social issues that pertain to the town and then determine what our priorities should be.  Sheila mentioned that there is an Independent Living Program at HESSCO that Susan might be able to tap into.

 

Norma distributed the Ethics and Conflict of Law materials to the Board which have to be signed and returned by December 28th.

 

Notification of renewal of COA Advisory Board membership appointments will be sent this month by the Selectmen’s Office.

 

There are programs taking place at night which may require volunteers to be at the Adult Center to act as chaperones.  Rob suggested the Board be given a schedule so that they might know in advance in order to volunteer.  The Monday night Photography Club is very successful and Marcia Dolgin loves it so much that she has been coming and sharing her expertise to an enthusiastic audience.

 

 There will be a wine & cheese reception tonight for the opening of the photography and watercolor exhibit by Paulette Wexler and Lynne Atwood.  This exhibit will run until January 28th. 

 

Norma announced the receipt of $30,000 grant from Eastern Bank to be used to develop health and wellness initiatives.  The Program Committee will meet on January 4, 2:00 p.m., to submit ideas for related programs.

 

The Human Services Committee has been successful in getting 10,000 bookmarks printed which will list available resources in town.  The issue of training for front desk receptionists continues. A training session will take place on January 11th. .  Norma suggested that a board member or two help out at the reception desk during the training so that all volunteers can be present.

There will eventually be updated job description for receptionists.

 

Our newsletter may be expanded to 12 pages, but to do so the publisher asks that we come up with more advertisers. 

 

There was a message from Sid Rosenthal that the Commission on Disabilities donated special pads for children and adults for the defibrillators in police cars.

 

The Friends of the COA has purchased six new computers and monitors for the Adult Center.

 

The next Board meeting will be Wednesday, January 6, 3:00 p.m.   The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                    Lillian Savage, Secretary