North Reading Council on Aging
Subject: Council Meeting
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Place: Edith O’Leary Senior Center
157 Park Street
North Reading, MA 01864\
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Minutes
1. Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice Chairperson, Michele Modica.
Present: Mary Prenney, Director of Elder Affairs
Marie Berndtson, Board Member
Eleanor Fritsch, Board Member
Carol Lundgren , Secretary
Gloria Mastro, Board Member
Michele Modica, Vice Chairman
Khalid Syed, Board Member
Joan McLaughlin, Associate Board Member
Police Department Rep: Sgt. Mark Zimmerman
Selectperson: Marci Bailey
Not Present: Jan Berry, Chairman
Fire Department Rep: Captain Barry Galvin
2. Minutes of the May 18, 2005 reviewed and accepted as printed.
3. Director’s Report – Mary Prenney handed out a two page report and reviewed it topic by topic. A third page, reflecting program statistics covering the period 7/1/04 – 6/30/05 was also given. These are attached and included as part of the minutes. Of particular note is the development of a website which will be available in
of Town government information and periodically updated.
4. Special projects of interest to each board member were discussed as follows:
* Michele and Khalid are offering to provide education on areas of their expertise. Michele will focus on the value of living wills and provide forms in an information session. The date and location to be determined. Khalid will focus on speaking on health topics such as osteoporosis. A discussion on privacy (HIPPA release) and being cautious about conflict of interest proceeded. Marci Bailey suggested that the Town Clerk, Barbara Stats, can probably answer most questions in this regard. It was further suggested that the talks could be recorded and provided on cable as well.
Scheduling and location still to be determined. Some of it can be slotted in to other programs being planned at the Center (i.e. health education). Michele and Khalid to develop their offerings and present the format at the next meeting.
* Marie Berndtson gave an extensive report (with handouts) on the Section 40B projects presently being developed in Town. Steve O’Leary is the Selectman who is most aware of these projects and he has offered, through Marie, to speak to the Board to answer any
of our questions and address how it might be of interest to the seniors in our community who are concerned with affordable housing on a fixed income. Marie gave Mary and Jan a copy of the Section 40B: 40B is a state law which allows Boards of Appeals to approve affordable housing developments if 25% of units have long term affordability restrictions. How does this affect seniors? The affordable units are reserved for seniors or families who make less than 80% of the median household income for the area (this figure comes from HUD). In 2003
80% of median income for one person was $43,850 and 2 people: $50,100.
Other important points:
Developers set prices under state guidelines: can make no more than 20% profit, prices on units are capped.
Lottery on the affordable units is run by Housing Partnership which is a local committee and headed by Frank Delaney (who is head of the Housing Authority).
40B projects in the works:
Central Street – 26 units: 5 for low income (lottery) and 2 rentals
Pilgrim Road – 16 townhouses (in process)
41 Elm Street: 4 units townhouses to be added to 4 units in farm house (all rentals –
2 affordable)
50 Mt. Vernon Street: 36 units, 9 affordable
Rowe Farm Elm Street: 28 townhouses, 7 units affordable in perpetuity
J. T. Berry site: in process. Perhaps 356 rentals, 100 townhouse condos. Possible
Wastewater treatment facility for Berry, Rt. 28 area and Martins Pond.
Future: possibly senior housing on Bow Street
* Carol Lundgren spoke about the potential formation of a Friends Group as a 501c3 not for profit entity dedicated to raising awareness on elder issues by way of advocacy as well as fundraising for the Senior Center. By consensus, all present voiced their interest in the development of such a group. Mary Prenney indicated there is some younger senior interest presently and she will give names and telephone numbers to Carol to pursue. Carol asked the Board to be thinking about individuals and businesses in the community to approach for support and
involvement. This will be reported on further at the next COA meeting with the hopes of having an open meeting
to further the process.
* Gloria Mastro reported on a potential educational/entertainment program by Sea Coast Reparatory Theater. She will investigate. It might tie in nicely with a safety awareness/fall prevention program. She will provide more detailed information at the next meeting.
* Eleanor Fritsch spoke about her interest in seeing a men’s breakfast program happen somewhere in town. Board members offered ideas: Knights of Columbus, St. Theresa’s, Hillview. Food might be able to be provided by a local firm (like Sunrise Bagels). A speaker would be desirable. Eleanor will research further and report back at the next meeting.
5. Gloria expressed disappointment that the Transcript does not wish to put her articles in the paper. She is attempting to get around this by submitting stories to the Middlesex East insert.
6. Old Business – none.
7. New Business –
* Gloria offered a new idea of arranging for a trip on the Trolley Tour in Salem at Christmastime. In order to have the Council more visible, she suggested that if such
an event took place, the Board could sponsor a social hour before attendees left at the Senior Center. Early December is the suggested time frame. Mary and Gloria to assess doing this.
* Mary and Carol reported on attending the annual conference in Sturbridge, MA of
the MCOA (Massachusetts Councils on Aging) last week. Mary had a table full of
resource material available for board members. Massachusetts has 351 towns and
of them, there are 348 Councils on Aging. This was a huge conference with dozens
of sessions for the council directors, outreach workers, volunteer coordinators and
others interested in senior center excellence. Carol will provide a report of the
session she attended on managing a volunteer group and the session on “what’s
hot and what’s not” representing trends for the future considering the boomer
generation.
* Marci commented on the new Medicare Part D Prescription program. This will
be a complex issue and one our seniors will need good information. Mary works
with Mystic Valley Elder Services SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of
Elders) Program. Representatives will come to the Center to educate.
8. Adjournment –
Motioned (by Carol), Seconded (by Gloria) to adjourn at 8:35 p.m. No objection.
Note: Next Meeting of the Board will be Wednesday, October 19th at 7:00 p.m. at the Center.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Lundgren
Secretary
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