BELMONT COUNCIL ON AGING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
MARCH 3, 2003
Present: M.L.Ahearn, V. Falvey, J. Brusch, E. Hamann, J. Horner, J. Kantor, H. Kazarian, B. Miranda, T. Morabito, N. Niv-Vogel, P. Solomon
Absent: E. Finnegan
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 by Barbara Miranda, Chair. The minutes of the February meeting were accepted with the provision that we watch our use of acronyms in all reports.
Director’s Report Attached. For web-site viewers refer to link entitled “February Director’s Report.
Springwell report from February 27th meeting by E. Hamann:
A new sheet with tips on how to e-mail our state reps and senators was handed out, as a lot of advocacy will be needed with the pending budget cuts.
An update on how the Springwell Strategic Plan was being implemented was given. Watertown and Waltham are the first two communities where this is being implemented. Material is being put all over town in libraries, doctors offices, social service agencies, banks, town offices, religious institutions to explain about Springwell’s services which offer support for everyone regardless of income for information and referral, in home assessment, meals, protective services and caregiver education. They hope to reach all of the eight towns within 6-9 months.
Pioneer Medical system was approved as a second vendor for transportation. The waitlist for homecare services is shrinking, so it is anticipated that they will be able to start enrolling again by the end of March.
The Governor’s budget for 2004 as presented this week; includes: core homecare losses of $4 ½ million, enhanced community access level funded, prescription advantage program zeroed out, supportive housing level funded, homecare purchase service 2 ½% cut, cut 5.8% from care manager service, protective service level funded, local service level funded, COA funds cut by 20%. This is just the beginning of the budget process.
Barbara Miranda suggested that Nava could write a letter to Legislators that could be signed by all members.
Update on Director’s Report: In addition to her written report Nava reported that Mass. Council on Aging will propose a strategy and a message to advocate for a restoration of funds. She cited some of the same proposed cuts in the Governor’s budget as in the Springwell report. News from The Friends organization is that they have a letter already to go and hope to have it in the mail by the end of the month.
Nava made a proposal to memorialize Ben Rosales by having a series of lectures on computer related issues at the Senior Center in his name.
Old Business:
B. Miranda reported that the final draft of by-laws was accepted. They will be presented to the Board of Selectman’s office and copies kept at the Belmont Council on Aging office and the Town Clerk’s Office. Parentheses will be removed where needed.
V. Falvey suggested that we invite members of different boards to our meetings when we are discussing matters particular to their needs.
Report on new senior center: We hope to have design money approved by the selectmen at town meeting in April. Rent money impacted the budget.
New Business:
B. Miranda was sorry to have been away at the time of Ben Rosales’ death. Phyl Solomon suggested a telephone tree to let board members know about important happenings. We will receive a list of phone numbers and e-mail addresses for this purpose.
B. Miranda reports on common access studio. There is a new man running the town cable TV. He is working with Nava to help run our own program. There will be a hearing with Comcast Cable held at the Senior Center within the next three or four weeks.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Lou Ahearn
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