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Department of Elder Services
Board Meeting Minutes

MONDAY, MAY 10, 2010

The meeting was called to order at 4:35 by Thomas Hickey, Chairman.

Present: Katherine Bennett, Thomas Hickey, Norma Jackson, Susan Kiernan,
Patricia LaLiberte, Arthur LeMay, William Scott, Stephen Waynen, and Barbara Farnsworth, Director.

Absent: Anne Condon, Ann Manning, Joanne Pollick

Secretary’s Report: Motion by Norma Jackson, second by Patricia LaLiberte to accept the minutes of the April 12, 2010 meeting as submitted. Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report: Thomas Hickey reported that:
 Donation Account: Balance of $35,584.17
Patricia Laliberte asked for clarification on expenses and revenues from the 40th Anniversary Concert. $1,785 was collected and $850 expended. Expenses for the Ice Cream Social will include the two clowns and Three of Cups. Expenses for “A Celebration of the Arts” were the programs.

Barbara Farnsworth reported that we had received a $2,000 donation from Blue Cross Blue Shield. The Blue Crew who sponsors the Elder Services Valentine Luncheon won this award for their Community Service for the Valentine’s Party.
The party demonstrates cooperation among community groups, budgeting, planning and intergenerational. The intent of the donation is to be used for future Valentines Parties.

 Municipal Expenses: Reviewed

 The Elder Services Budget Committee will be scheduling a meeting to prepare a proposed Donation Account Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, and bring this budget to the Board at their June meeting for discussion and approval.

Director’s Report: See attached.

Barbara Farnsworth also explained that there have been changes to the Open Meeting Law that will go into effect as of July1, 2010. The Board of Selectmen will be conducting trainings on the revised Open Meeting Law for all Boards and Committees and staff. Elder Services board members will be notified when these trainings are scheduled.

Committee Reports: Patricia Laliberte reported on “A Celebration of the Arts.” The event was held on Tuesday, May 4. Those who participated in the event seemed to enjoy it along with those who participated to demonstrate their art forms.

The posters for the Ice Cream Social are being designed by Christine Dietrich.
Susan Kiernan reported that she had stopped by Nona’s again, and was assured that we are on the book for June 13.

The next 40th Anniversary Committee meeting was scheduled for Monday, June 7, at 3:30 pm.

New Business: Chairman Hickey appointed Anne Condon, William Scott and Stephen Waynen to the Nominating Committee. The Committee will report back in June with a slate of officers. Chairman Hickey explained that based on the by-laws/policies that the Board had established for itself, all current officers have served their limit of two terms in the same office.

Old Business:

 2011 Annual Appeal – the mailing should go out within the next two weeks to all Hingham households and businesses, approximately 9200 pieces. Also, we will be able to get a listing of Hingham businesses that received the mailing.

 Long Range Plan – The Board reviewed goals, objectives and work plan for recreation, food service, volunteerism, facilities, fiscal, and senior center re-accreditation. Barbara Farnsworth will revise the Long Range Plan based on the Board’s discussions for action at the June meeting. If adopted, the Plan will be presented to the general public during the summer months.

 Donation Account Enhancement – Arthur LeMay made a motion to implement the Donation Account Enhancement Plan Account through the direct solicitation of businesses that he had proposed at the April meeting and distributed copies of the plan. The motion was seconded by Katherine Bennett. Arthur explained that his reason for brining forth the motion was the importance of ensuring that the work required for such a plan to be implemented was completed in time for the Plan to go forward in the fall. Several Board members thanked Arthur for the thought and work that he had put into the work plan for such an endeavor. Other discussion around the Donation Account Enhancement Plan concerned the amount of work that is required to make the plan a success and the comfort level of Board members for such an undertaking as well as the ability to commit the time necessary for the Plan ; we are in the process of the Annual Appeal and need to determine how much will be raised from that appeal; such a Plan might be better suited for a specific purpose; does the Board feel that the current donation account has been sufficient to meet expenditures. Chairman Hickey called for a vote. The motion failed. Stephen Waynen made a motion to table the Plan for future discussion in the fall, second by Thomas Hickey, motion carried.
Dept. of Elder Services
Board Minutes 5/10/2010
Page 3

 Vintage Baseball Event – Katherine Bennett discussed the upcoming Vintage Baseball Game that will be held at the East School on Sunday, May 16, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, and encouraged all to attend. Tours of the school will be conducted by 5th graders.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:20 pm.

Recorded by Barbara Farnsworth, Director
In the absence of Secretary Ann Manning.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT
MAY 2010

NEWSLETTER EMAIL – We have had some glitches with the newsletter being emailed in a timely manner and have developed a solution.  We were trying to use the link that goes directly into Senior Citizens Publishing as that is the exact newsletter that gets surfaced mailed to everyone. However, this month the posting of that newsletter was delayed and there was a glitch in our IT Department.  Therefore, beginning in June we will be sending IT the  date that it should be emailed so that it corresponds with surface mail.

TRANSPORTATION

• Driver Ride Alongs – Betty Fernandes has once again begun to ride-along with all Volunteer Van Drivers.   The ride along provides a way for Elder Services to evaluate volunteer van drivers and ensure that the policies and procedures are being consistently carried forward.  It also helps to identify any driver safety issues that we may have.
• Executive Office of Transportation Annual Report – We are required to submit an annual report to the Executive Office of Transportation as a part of our agreement for the vehicles that we receive through this Office.  Based on the information submitted for 2009, Elder Services was found to be out of compliance with the driver training section for CPR and First Aid.  As a result, all drivers regardless of status (volunteer or paid), will be taking CPR and First Aid training over the next month at the Hingham Community Center. The cost for this training is $65/person and Elder Services is paying for the training from the donation account.  If we did not come into compliance, we ran the risk of either having to return the blue van to the State and/or paying the cost of the vehicle.  There are several other training requirements but we were found to be in compliance with those requirements for 2009.  Such trainings are wheelchair lift and securement, passenger sensitivity, and passenger assistance techniques.  These trainings are free.

OPEN MEETING LAW  - There are changes to the Open Meeting Law that will become effective on July 1.  The Board of Selectmen will be scheduling trainings about these changes for all Boards and Committees, and a separate training will be held for Department Heads.  Highlights of these changes include the of posting meeting notices at least 48 business hours prior to the meeting; posting of agendas – we will not longer be able to just post “general business”; how minutes are recorded – must have content of the discussion; and what can be discussed based on what was posted for an agenda.  You will be notified of these trainings when they are scheduled.

YOUR TOWN GOVERNMENT AT WORK -has concluded and those who participated in the program found it to be worthwhile.  Also, the Town Departments who participated found enjoyed their participation and are hoping that we repeat something similar in the future.