COA Board Meeting

The agenda were posted by Town Administrator, Charlene Nardi, by September 13th.

Welcome – Jennifer Hoffman, Senior Center Director by Charlene.

Discussion revolved around the function of the COA Advisory Board and its relationship with the Director and staff.  Informally discuss the past, present and future of the Senior Center including share & Approve past meeting minutes.

Welcome

#1. Acting chairman, Jim Cahillane accepted and presided, calling the meeting to order and offered a warm welcome was made to the new Senior Center Director, Jennifer Hoffman. 

Function of COA Advisory Board [AB]

Jennifer passed out the handouts [HO] and then listed the contact names that she had covered to ensure that the COA AB will follow the structure correctly. All members received the charts and are available. MA Aging Network, showing the tree of responsibility to the voters [www.Mass.gov/elder & www.800ageinfo.com].  She highlighted the Local Agency component and the Council on Aging [COA] in that block.

#2. A block diagram of specific lines of reporting and accountability from the COA to the Select Board and the Senior Center Director, displaying the Senior Center Director coordinated functions with the Town Administrator and the Volunteers.  Charlene interjected that she as Town Administrator and Jennifer as COA Director will meet on a as needed basis as questions and concerns arise. 

#3. Structure and Function of Councils on Aging, a three-page document.  Jennifer emphasized her immediate goals: “to promote and maintain shared visions, goals and responsibilities in serving older adults.” She also served a to-do list including reviewing the budget monthly in conjunction with others and strategies to serve and improve services to the elder population in Williamsburg. Margaret pointed out that HO #2 showed 9 members with four principle officers and 6 associate members, which was not the number Margaret had seen on the Burgy website and not what was voted upon.  Charlene will check to see if the latest By-laws were posted and to check if the COA board members’ name were accurate.  Charlene will check the COA portion of the web site.

Minutes from July 18, 2018

Jim asked Daria to read the minutes out loud. With some corrections a motion was proposed by Nancy and seconded by Margaret.

Other

A letter of praise for outstanding work to Sherry Loomis from the Select Board was distributed. Attachment #2 to follow.

Directors Report and To-do List

Jennifer contacted HVES, Linda Manor, Police Department, Catholic Church FRTA, Health, and more.  She met with Janice Gibeau of the Northern Hilltown Consortium to discuss the goals of the COA. She also contacted Emmett Schmarsow, Program Manager COAs and Senior Centers. 

Her list included meeting with public school officials to coordinate the student program, contact fire and police departments for emergency procedures, ED CPR training, and is looking at grant funding.

Appointments to the COA Board

Jennifer then distributed two documents, a one-page Williamsburg Government By-law on the number and terms of members HO#4, and HO#5 a one-page copy of Chapter 40, Section 8B, on the COA on appointments.

Charlene reviewed the COA appointments and suggested that Peg Whalen be invited as an Associate. Jim suggested that the COA needs younger members and will solicit the Thursday men’s breakfast and ask Larry West.  The meet at the Snack Bar on Rte 9 Thursdays 8—9am.  He mentioned that the angel group has been particularly helpful.

Jim will invite Charlie Hayes to the next meeting about the HEN program status.  Charlene mentioned that the labor costs have risen with the formula grant monies remaining the same.  She reviewed specific costs and that regional cooperation is becoming important.  Conclusion is that fund raising is important.  Daria mentioned the food sale during the voting.  Sherry expanded with the farm share program

Highland Valley Elder Services of Hampshire and Hampden Counties HVES

Margaret reported that on Thursday October 4^th that the first annual event to raise awareness about its offerings, Keys to Aging Well Expo, 4--5:30 pm at Hadley Farms Meeting House at 41 Russell St includes live music, refreshments and a cash bar.

End of Meeting

Jim called for a motion to adjourn.  Daria proposed; Margaret seconded.

Attachments

Handouts are available in the COA office.