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Board Minutes – November 8, 2010
Attending: Leah Godfrey, Chrisanne Gregoire, Peter Hanson, Thomas Hickey, Norma
Jackson, Susan Kiernan, Patricia LaLiberte, Ann Manning, Joanne Pollick,
Barbara Farnsworth, Director
Absent: Katherine Bennett, Arthur LeMay
Thomas Hickey, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 4:31 pm. Chairman Hickey welcomed Chrisanne Gregoire to the Board.
Secretary's Report
Motion by Norma Jackson, second by Peter Hanson to accept the Secretary's report as submitted passed unanimously.
Thomas Hickey questioned the status of the van repairs. Barbara Farnsworth stated that the black van is being scheduled, still waiting for the part for the blue van, and the medical van was in a collision –hit from behind by another vehicle- and will need some work done on the door.
Treasurer's Report
Norma Jackson reported that the donation account balance was $30,178. There are no revenues recorded in the donation account report for October, because these donations were not deposited until November and will show as November receipts. Regarding the municipal budget, we will be alerting the Selectmen and Advisory Board that a reserve fund transfer may be needed to fund further van repairs this year as anticipated expenses will exceed budget. Motion by Joanne Pollick, second by Patricia LaLiberte to accept the Treasurer's report passed unanimously.
FY2012 Budget Proposal – Barbara Farnsworth reported that the Board Fiscal Committee met on Monday, November 1, to review the proposed FT'2012 municipal budget prior to its submission to the Interim Town Administrator on November 5. For FY'2012, Departments were asked to submit a level services budget, a level funded budget and a 2% reduction budget from FY'2011 funding.
All three budget scenarios reduce the program line item to $0. We will be filing a warrant article to set-up a revolving fund for these expenses. Any revenues generated and not expended that do not exceed $10,000 are allowed to remain in the revolving account. Revenues must cover expenses. Susan Kiernan questioned how fees are determined. Barbara Farnsworth explained that fees are based on the cost of the program at the amount necessary to pay for the program. We try to keep these fees at an affordable cost.
All three budgets also include a request to Capital Budget for a replacement van for FY'2012, ('98) FY'13 (01) and FY'15 (05 freestar). If the Department of Transportation does issue a RFP, we will apply for a grant for the '98 replacement.
Chrisanne Gregoire asked about use of Capital Budget for computers and office items. Barbara explained that staff computers are a part of the Town's technology budget and replaced on a rotating basis used for all non-school side Departments. Items for programs such as the classroom computers to teach seniors are through the Donation Account.
Level Services Budget includes the full request for gasoline expenses and does not rely on the donation account to fund this expense; funding for the re-accreditation in the dues line item; and a request to increase the Senior Tax Work-Off Program to $40,000. This would allow for 36 seniors and 4 individuals under 60 at an abatement rate of $1000 for hours worked.
Level Funded Budget – This budget would require gasoline expenditures to remain in the donation account; we would not apply for and pursue re-accreditation; $400 would be reduced from the meetings and trainings line item.
2% Reduction Budget would include the funding reductions described in the Level Funded Budget and necessitate staffing furloughs of 1.5 – 2 days.
Benchmarking - we are also in the process of completing benchmarking with our comparable towns.
Norma Jackson asked if there would be a Volunteer Appreciation this fiscal year. Barbara Farnsworth stated that it would be brought forward to the Board at their January meeting for discussion and a decision whether or not to fund this event from the donation account.
There being no further questions on the FY'12 proposed budget, a motion by Susan Kiernan, 2nd by Peter Hanson to accept the proposed budget recommendation submitted by Elder Services passed unanimously.
Director's Report
FY2011 – Statistical Report -7/2010-9/2010
No significant differences in number of different individuals served from the same time period in FY 2010. Regarding individual services, fitness classes have increased by 23% from the same time period as last year. One of the contributing factors is the addition of the Wednesday aerobics class and the re-institution of the Arthritis Exercise Class.
Programs
Wisdom Works – This program has been very successful. The Wednesday evening group had 7 enrollees and the Friday am group had 10. The Friday group will continue to meet through December to receive further help with their resumes and interviewing skills. We will be meeting with the volunteer workshop leaders on 11/16 to review the course and discuss the next session.
Caregiver's Support Group – This program has steadily declined over the past 7 months and we are reviewing the format, time and name. At this time we are discussing changing the group to a support group for those who care for Alzheimer's and related dementia's, and possibly switching the time to daytime.
Policemen's Holiday Party – will be held on Thursday, December 9, 12 noon at the South Shore Country Club.
Wednesday Aerobics and Arthritis Exercise Class – were suspended in late October until early December due to medical leave by the instructor. We expect to resume these classes in early to mid-December.
Van Repairs
Black van is scheduled for body repairs sustained during a minor collision and rust repairs to the battery compartment during the week of November 29.
The blue van has not yet been scheduled, part has not arrived.
Medical van was in a minor collision, no real damage, however, have scheduled ramp repairs for this vehicle for November 15-16.
MCOA Annual Conference was excellent this year. Workshop selections included new models of senior centers including programs, use of technology for communication to constituents, and building design. Other workshops focused on diversity and the impact of the new health care law on Medicare. In addition, NISC (National Association of Senior Centers ) had a large presence at the conference because their delegate council meeting had been held in Duxbury just prior to MCOA's Annual Conference.
SHINE –Joan Brown, Volunteer SHINE Counselor, has seen a large increase in appointments during the past two months with waiting lists for her services. This increase is due to three factors – Medicare D open enrollment period; Harvard – Pilgrim's discontinuation of its Medicare Advantage Plan; and several practice groups in the area are no longer accepting the Tufts Advantage Plans. A second SHINE Counselor has volunteered and has been trained, and we are expecting that she will be helping Joan through this period.
FY2012 Formula Grant – MCOA will be designing an educational campaign to maintain the Formula Grant at $7.00/elder for FY'12. The 2010 Census will be released in
December and we are expecting a growth of 170,000 elders in the state. To maintain the $7.00/elder, we will need an additional $ 2 million in the Formula Grant line item.
Regarding the donation account – Leah Godfrey asked if local charitable organizations such as churches, etc made contributions to the donation account. Barbara explained that we do receive such donations and Karen Sadlon also taps these resources for clients on an as needed basis.
New Business – none
Old Business – none
Chairman Hickey requested agenda items for the December 13 meeting. None were brought forth.
There being no further business, the motion to adjourn was made by Susan Kiernan, second by Norma Jackson, passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 5:47 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia LaLiberte
Secretary