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MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 9, 2012 BOARD MEETING
ATTENDING: Gretchen Condon, June Freedman, Leah Godfrey, Chrisanne Gregoire, Patricia LaLiberte, Arthur LeMay, Ann Manning, Dick Ponte, Barbara Farnsworth, Director
ABSENT: Joan Iovino, Norma Jackson
CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS
Chrisanne Gregoire announced that Joan Iovino had been appointed to the Board.
SECRETARY'S REPORT
Chrisanne Gregoire stated that the minutes should be corrected to as follows: change 7.1 million to 1.7 million as the funding amount for Scituate as discussed under the Facilities Committee report. Motion by Dick Ponte to accept the minutes as corrected, second by Arthur LeMay, passed unanimously.
TREASURER'S REPORT:
In the absence of Norma Jackson, Barbara Farnsworth reported that for the month of December, the donation account revenues were $1,919.00 and expenses were $1,019.87 and the balance as of December 31 was $25,542.26. We have again received a $500 donation from the Wilder Foundation and that funding will be used to help offset the expenses of the 90th Birthday Party to be held in May.
Regarding our municipal expenses, we have requested a $2600 Reserve Fund transfer for the repair of motor vehicles to replace the motor that operates the automatic door in the medical van. That request has not yet been reviewed by the Selectmen and Advisory Board. The balance in the municipal budget as of December 31 was $142,239.66.
Motion by Leah Godfrey, second by Arthur LeMay to accept the Treasurer's Report, passed unanimously.
2013 Municipal Budget- Elder Services met with the Board of Selectmen on December 13 to review the recommendation for a modified level services budget and the impact on services. A modified level services budget would reduce the municipal budget for gasoline expenses for the vans. This reduction would be funded through the Revolving Account.
Elder Services Budget Sources – Barbara Farnsworth distributed information about all the sources of revenue utilized by Elder Services for the Department's budget. Regarding questions raised about newsletter ads, the publishing company, LPI directly solicits the ads and the ad revenue pays for the printing of the newsletter. While the revenue does not directly go to Elder Services, we receive a direct benefit in that it allows us to publish/print the newsletter.
Dick Ponte asked about the suggested donation of $50 for medial rides to and from Boston. Currently we administer the 5 town consortia grant for medical transportation to and from Boston via a contract between South Shore Elder Services and South Shore Community Action Council. The suggested donation for these rides is $50 and as a suggested donation, individuals can adjust the amount to whatever they feel they can afford. No one is denied service because of an inability to donate. The donations are considered as grant income and are used to continue service if the grant funding of $15,000 is depleted.
Regarding The MBTA Ride in response to questions raised by June Freedman, individuals must have a qualifying condition certified by a doctor's letter and the cost is $2.00. The Ride is not just for medical appointments and can be used for any type of transportation requested by the individual. However, The Ride will not provide transportation into a community that does not have the services of The Ride. For example, Scituate does not have The Ride and if an individual from Hingham wanted transportation to Scituate via The Ride, this would not be provided through this service.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT – Barbara Farnsworth reported:
Newsletter Format Change – We have requested that all the ads within the newsletter appear on one page and at this time that change is scheduled to happen with the February addition. The only exception will be the calendar pages and ads will still appear on these pages as they are considered premium pages for advertising.
Coffee/Tea Water Services – We have ordered a water bubbler, and will be moving access to coffee/tea out of the kitchen and going to all paper products. With the flow of traffic particularly in the mornings with the meal program, the kitchen can become very congested and poses a safety risk. Also, the use of paper products is much more sanitary. We will also be ordering signage for the kitchen doors that state Authorized Personnel Only. Senior Center consumers tend to use it as a cut through into the dining room, and again, this poses a safety hazard. Will also be reinforcing this change in the March newsletter.
Pool Table – Ask that this be placed on the February agenda. Suggestion from Dick Ponte and discussion among staff that space could be better utilized. Pat LaLiberte requested that this item be moved to the April agenda so that we would have enough time to alert the senior population that this would be discussed.
Senior Center Accreditation – During the next six weeks, will be focused on completing the application manual and getting it submitted by mid- March. Following submission, review will take place by NISC staff person to make sure all the components are included, once that review takes place, on-site visit will be scheduled by reviewer.
Volunteer to Assist with Newsletter Publicity - Barbara will be meeting with an individual who expressed an interest in this volunteer position on Wednesday, at 5:00 pm.
Fuel Assistance Program - Through a combination of Federal and State funding, the per household allocation has increased based on what was projected at the start of the season.
Individuals/families who are at 100% of poverty level and are homeowners and non-subsidized housing tenants will receive a maximum allocation of $1,025 with the ability to receive up to $1,980 because of the "high energy cost supplement threshold".
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Facilities Committee –Arthur LeMay reported that the committee had visited the Sharon Adult Center on Tuesday, December 13. The building has been rehabilitated, it was a former hotel, on the lake, and the Recreation Department and the Council on Aging share the building. The Committee is still planning to visit Marshfield and Duxbury and Arthur will schedule those dates.
By-laws/Operational Procedures Committee – Chrisanne reported that the Committee had made additional changes to the draft and utilized the suggestions made by Board members. A revised draft was distributed. Chrisanne requested that Board members review this draft before the next meeting and come prepared to vote on the document.
Nominating Committee – Dick Ponte reported that the Committee met on December 16, and are nominating Ann Manning to fill the unexpired term of Vice Chairman and moved the nomination, second by Gretchen Condon, passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Entertainment Center - Arthur LeMay reported that he is still waiting for bids from other companies. If anyone knows of the names of companies that provide such system, please let him know.
Committee Appointments – Chrisanne Gregoire appointed June Freedman to the Policy and Procedures Committee.
Furnishings -Dick Ponte reported that he had met with Barbara. Regarding the bench in the foyer, Emmette Jackson has volunteered to refinish the bench once the nice weather arrives. Barbara is following-up on the chairs that were ordered for the living room, and a budget for the donation account along with furnishings to be purchased will be presented for the donation account budget for fiscal year 2013.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR FEBRUARY MEETING
• QR Code – Arthur LeMay
• Annual Appeal/Fundraising Committee –
There being no further business, motion to adjourn by Dick Ponte, second by June Freedman, passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:36 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia LaLiberte
Secretary