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Hingham Department of Elder Services
Board Minutes
March 14, 2011
ATTENDING: Katherine Bennett, Leah Godfrey, Chrisanne Gregoire, Peter Hanson, Thomas Hickey, Susan Kiernan, Patricia LaLiberte, Arthur LeMay, Barbara Farnsworth, and Director.
ABSENT: Norman Jackson, Ann Manning, Joanne Pollick
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm by Thomas Hickey, Chairman.
SECRETARY'S REPORT
Chrisanne Gregoire noted that the February minutes should be corrected to reflect the correct date of
February 14, 2011 at the top of pages 3, 4, and 5. Motion by Peter Hanson, second by Arthur LeMay to
accept the minutes of the February 14 minutes as corrected, passed unanimously.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Barbara Farnsworth reported for Norma Jackson. The donation account revenue for February was
$3,436 and the balance as of February 28 was $26,527. One individual donated $750 and asked that
the donation is earmarked for an entertainment center.
Municipal expenditures are on track for the fiscal year. We continue to closely monitor the vehicle
repair expense line item. At this time barring any unforeseen major repair expenses there should be
sufficient funds in the line item for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Motion by Arthur LeMay, second by Leah Godfrey to accept the Treasurer's report as presented.
Barbara Farnsworth reported that the Capital Outlay Committee (COC) is recommending $12,000
match towards a new vehicle based on the assumption that we will be awarded a vehicle through EOT.
Arthur LeMay asked about the 20% cash match that was referred to by the COC. Barbara explained that
the $12,000 represents the 20% cash match that Hingham must provide if awarded a vehicle through
the Executive Office of Transportation.
If we are not awarded a vehicle, we may want to enter into negotiations with Cohasset that we take full
custody of the blue van – that van is shared by both communities. However, Cohasset has rarely used
that vehicle since it was received in 2007.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Surveys/Evaluations
• Transportation Survey - As discussed in February, we are in the process of conducting a user survey of all those who utilized our transportation services since July 2009. 323 surveys were mailed and as of March 11, we had received 126 respondents representing 40% of those who were surveyed. We will be compiling the responses and presenting the results and any recommendations based on the survey at the April Board meeting.
Hingham Department of Elder Services
Board Minutes, March 14, 2001, page 2
• Volunteer Satisfaction Survey - A survey was mailed to 170 volunteers seeking their input into satisfaction with their volunteer position, adequacy of training and orientation for newer volunteers, and suggestions that would make the volunteer program better. Results of the survey will be presented at the April Board meeting.
Both of these surveys/evaluations are objectives within the long range plan for the current year.
Wisdom Works – The winter session finished on February 24 and 7 of the 8 participants completed the program evaluation. The program received very high marks from this group of participants and 86% of the respondents strongly agreed that they would use what they learned in the program in their job search. Based on the feedback from the participants and the wrap-up meeting with the leaders, we have expanded the program to six weeks, and are starting a support group for the program alumni. The support group will meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.
American Music in Olden Times – The program was cancelled due to a lack of registrations (4). We are planning to offer the program in the fall.
Senior Center Calendar on Cable TV – Kate Richardson, IT Department, is continuing to work with us to ensure that the calendar is run on local access. The format set-up is time consuming and we need to make sure that the nuances such as pre-registration, etc are all properly displayed. We will be using power point for the format and once we have a template that works well, Barbara will need to cut and paste the calendar from excel into the power point.
Long Range Plan – Selectman Laura Burns has read the long range plan and has discussed other ways to make sure that the public is aware that the plan exists. We have discussed the possibility of attending a Selectmen's meeting in May to further discuss this plan and its components.
Up and Coming Programs for April include Social Security A Primer for those Thinking about Retirement on Wednesday evening, April 20, and the Five Wishes, a program that talks about advance care directives and how to plan for such directives.
Barbara will be on vacation from April 4-8.
OLD BUSINESS
Annual Appeal – Based on input by the Board, Katherine Bennett distributed a draft copy of the proposed Annual Appeal letter. It was the consensus of the Board to utilize this letter with two changes – paragraph two should read:
• Elder Services recognizes that maintaining an independent and healthy lifestyle for seniors depends upon the contributions of many. Staff members along with numerous volunteers provide services such as rides to the grocery store, errands and doctors' appointments. Wellness programs, lunches, social programs and educational programs for instruction and enrichment are held at the Senior Center. A glance at our monthly newsletter, Central Times, describes the activities provided to seniors to enhance their quality of life.
Hingham Department of Elder Services
Board Minutes, March 14, 2001, page 3
-paragraph 4 last sentence should read
• We are asking you to help with a tax-deductible donation vital to maintaining our services, programs and equipment that are not funded through our municipal budget.
Target date for mailing of the Annual Appeal is mid-late April.
Arthur LeMay discussed sending the same letter to the business community utilizing a personal salutation instead of Dear Friend and Neighbor and to send this letter first class. It was the consensus of the Board to send a separate letter. Leah Godfrey volunteered to address the envelopes and letter for the business community. Arthur has the business contact information and will forward to Leah.
NEW BUSINESS
Katie Bennett discussed her interest in the development of intergenerational activities and the types of connections that the Senior Center could be making with the schools. Barbara Farnsworth explained that we currently partner with Plymouth River School and the South School. Plymouth River 5th grade students help each month with Men's Breakfast and all our Friday, special event luncheons. South School is here the third Monday of each month and helps serve the lunch program. Also, some students from Hingham High School utilize Elder Services as their Community Service placement; and we partner with Notre Dame Academy to run the Between Generations Program.
Susan Kiernan discussed the avenues that Karen Sadlon, Outreach Worker, and she had worked on over the years such as shared holiday meals both on an individual basis and in a group, and the role that churches play in such programs. Katie Bennett discussed other types of programs such as families adopting an older adult and her interest in pursuing more such opportunities. Susan Kiernan suggested that first step would be to inventory the types of intergenerational programs that are now in place. Katie Bennett volunteered to take on this project and will meet with Barbara Farnsworth and Karen Sadlon to further explore and discuss intergenerational programming.
There being no further business, motion to adjourn by Peter Hanson, second by Susan Kieran, passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:25 pm.
The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, April 11, 4:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia LaLiberte, Secretary