HomeMy Public PortalAboutCouncil on Aging Board -- 2023-01-19 MinutesTown of Brewster
Council on Aging Board Meeting —Thursday January 19, 2023
1.00 — 3.00 PM CER ; zt t:Lkx
Brewster Town Hall, 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631
Board members attending: Sharon Tennstedt, Andrea Nevins, Jill Beardsley, Jay Green, Penny Holeman, and
Laura Usher
Board members absent: Steve Holmes
Others Attending: Denise Rego, COA Director, Annie Rapaport, Program Coordinator, Cindy
Bingham, Select Board Liaison, and Honey Pivirotto, finance Committee Liaison
1. Call to Order
Ms. Tennstedt called the meeting to order at 1:03 pm.
2. Declaration of a Quorum
Ms. Tennstedt declared a quorum based on the number of board members present.
3. Meeting Participation Statement
The meeting participation statement was read by Ms. Tennstedt.
4. Approve Minutes: November 17, 2022
The minutes were reviewed and approved with a correction.
Motion: Approve draft minutes with correction by changing the wording to "...the decision was made to
bring the LPC back to the VPC.".
Motion: Laura Usher Second: Andrea Nevins
5. Director's Report
Vote: Sharon Tennstedt — Yes
Andrea Nevins—Yes
JIII Beardsley—Yes
Jay Green —Yes
Penny Holeman —Yes
Laura Usher—Yes
Action: Motion carried
Ms. Tennstedt announced that Elton Cutler, previously employed by the Town of Truro, is highly qualified,
and was selected to be the next COA Director. Mr. Cutler will start on Monday, January 30th, and will have
a 2 -day overlap with Ms. Rego.
Ms. Tennstedt also reminded the board that Ms. Rego was presenting her last Director's Report. Highlights
of her report included:
• November items were included because there was not a board meeting in December
• The Garden Club's pie sale was very successful
• Ms. Rapaport's 6 -month probation period ended
• Brian Locke and Steve Holmes provided seniors with rides to the Cape Symphony concert
• COA Director candidate had a second interview, a tour, and introduction with COA staff
Town of Brewster Council on Aging Draft 19 Jan 2023 Minutes Cont.
• The Eddy School 5ch Grade Chorus sang carols for seniors
• FOBE had a successful annual Christmas Luncheon, with Mr. Holmes providing rides
• Ms. Rego took the COA staff out for their annual Christmas breakfast at Grumpy's
• 25 Grab & Go meals were distributed quickly
• Ms. Tennstedt and Ms. Rego worked with Peter Lombardi on the FY24 budget because Ms. Rego will
be retired by the time the budget process ends. Ms. Tennstedt will accompany Mr. Cutler to the
budget meeting with the Select Board and Finance Committee in early February.
• The date to apply for the Senior Work Off Program was December 2"d. COA staff are still working
on assignments
• Ms. Rego has been organizing her office in preparation for the new Director
• A Ukrainian woman who does not speak English now resides in Brewster and has contacted the COA
for social assistance. It is likely that the COA will be seeing more people who do not speak English,
and we will have to adapt. Google Translate has been a helpful resource. Ms. Nevins's husband
started an English as a second language school in Hyannis.
• The 3 SHINE representatives supported Brewster for 7 weeks, and scheduled 255 appointments.
• The COA continues to accept payments for the Community Garden on Lower Road. This property
was donated to the Town by the Eddy sisters for use by Brewster residents. The property Is now
owned by the Brewster Conservation Trust, and any Brewster resident can apply. There are about 60
plots, and 65 people on the waiting list. Ms. Rego thanked Rob and Merle Garside who manage the
garden.
• AARP tax prep will be providing 3 representatives every Wednesday who will offer 9 appointments
each day
• 5 dozen poinsettias were distributed to Meals on Wheels clients and driver
• FOBE paid for 1 of the 2 new ranges in the kitchen
• The Anglican Church moved out of the COA building (except for their piano)
• CCRTA installed a new pad on Wells Court
• All van repairs have been completed
On behalf of the entire Board, Ms. Tennstedt thanked Ms. Rego for a great 20 years of service I A retirement
open house celebration will be held on Friday, January 27th in honor of Ms. Rego's retirement.
6. New Director/ Administration Assistant Job Update
Ms. Rego provided an update about the new COA Director earlier in this meeting. Regina Egan retired on
October 31, 2003. Her position is in the process of being filled.
7. Program Report & Review FY22/23 Action Plan implementation
Ms. Rapaport presented highlights regarding the program and action plan implementation report.
• January -Overall, the program is going well and receiving positive feedback
• Stepping stones to fitness has 10 participants
• Upcoming classes include
■ Anew class —Strong at Heart -has been added
• Know Your Sewing Machine
■ Fire Safety
■ Watercolor painting
Town of Brewster Council on Aging Draft 19 Jan 2023 Minutes Cont.
• Field trips include
• Afternoon Tea at The Captain's House in Chatham
■ Market Basket and Christmas Tree Shop
• February
• Programming schedule includes
■ Representative Flannagan is holding office hours the first Friday of each month from
10:00 AM — 2:00 PM
■ The Caregiver Support Group is meeting in the Brewster Ladies' Library
• Valentine's Day Chocolate FUNdue is being co -hosted with FOBE for $5.00
■ Movie to be aired at Serenity —A Year by the Sea
• Field Trips include
■ a second trip to Market Basket and the Christmas Tree Shop
• Sandwich Glass Museum with lunch at the Daniel Webster Inn.
• March
• Programming scheduled
• Poetry reading
■ Writing class
■ Celtic Celebration with Davis Bates for St. Paddy's Day
■ Nutrition Education Series
■ Film co -hosted with the Brewster Ladies' Library — The House We Lived In — the
impact of brain injury with a live remote talk with the filmmaker. Harwich Cultural
Department will help with promotion
• Field Trips include
■ Sandwich Glass Museum
■ Brunch at the Keltic Kitchen
• April
• Programming
• Beginner line dancing
■ Beginner Mah Jong class
• Chronic Disease Self -Management
• Presentation about History of !conic Wildlife Species
• Searching for Your Family History— presentation
IR Book Club at the library
• May — Older Americans Month
• Programming
• Health and Wellness Fair at the Baptist Church
• Hoping to attract a large number of people
• Date to be arranged
• Change time to 2:00 —4 or 5:00 PM (2-3 hours instead of 4 hours)
• Additional speakers and other topics to include?
• End of Life Care Planning, including Starting Difficult Conversations with Adult
Children
• Accessory dwelling units
• Cooking for yourself at Woodlands Kitchen
Town of Brewster Council on Aging Draft 19 Jan 2023 Minutes Cont.
8. Update on UMass contract for Needs Assessment & Development contract of next 5 -Year Action Plan
Peter Lombardi wants to apply for a small state grant to support the Needs Assessment Survey. These grants
are awarded on a rolling basis. The application should be submitted soon. UMass has been informed of the
delay. Brewster is 2 to 2 % months behind schedule on the survey. Finalization of our next 5 -year plan may
be delayed by a few months after July 15t. It is better to do a good job with the plan rather than to rush its
development.
The COA's current 5 -year plan provided valuable guidance to the COA and has been included in the Select
Board's Annual Strategic Plans.
9. Annual Town Report
The 2022 COA Annual Report was presented for comment. It must be submitted to the Town by February
17th. Please send all comments to Denise, Andrea, and Sharon by Friday, January 27th. No comments will be
assumed as approval.
10. Fundraising
A presentation to the Recreation Commission for accessible benches and picnic tables for Freeman's Way
Fields should result in a vote on the CPC application next Thursday. Ms. Tennstedt will attend and make the
presentation by Zoom. Outcome of this vote will be submitted to the CPA to determine if this funding
request will be included in the spring Town Meeting warrant. If approved, timing of the purchase will be
contingent on completion of planned work at the fields.
Ms. Usher reported on a rolling grant mechanism through the Cape Cod Realtor's Association for up to
$7,500 that can be applied for between January 31d and October 161h, with funding decided in 30 days to
cover park benches and lighting for Brewster Road improvements. A proposal is planned.
11. Committee Reports
a. Recreation
No report
b. Vision Planning Committee
This committee has been inactive since fall Town Meeting as the Local Comprehensive Plan was not
approved. The VPC is waiting for direction from the Select Board. A public forum is scheduled for
next Thursday to present findings and options for access to Wing Island and to solicit public input
c. Bay Property Planning Committee
Additional parking is needed for pool access. The Town is asking for input, scheduling and fees.
Handicap parking, smooth walkways and benches will be needed. Membership fees have been
proposed, with a reduced fee for seniors age 70+. Should pool access be limited to all Brewster
residents and their guests? The Town plans to open the pool forJuly and August, with additional time
contingent on the availability of lifeguards. Watch PowerPoint of meeting? The COA should prepare
a communication similar to the one prepared about Drummer Boy Park — a list of things the COA
Town of Brewster Council on Aging Draft 19 Jan 2023 Minutes Cont.
would specifically like to see associated with the pool. This communication will need to be submitted
before the COA meeting in February. Ms. Nevins will draft a memo with the following
recommendations:
Suggestions included.
• Water aerobics (instructor needed)
• Designated times for lane swimming
• Designated times for swimming without lanes
• Suggest the time of day for senior swimming
• Limit to the number of people in the pool at any time
• Would residents be able to bring non-resident family members and guests?
The need for additional lifeguards has been Identified, and the Town will be issuing an RFP for pool
management, including hiring of lifeguards.
Reed Hildebrand is in the process of "discovery" on the property.
d. Board of Health
Ms. Holleman shared that the Board of Health has been focused on a compliance problem which does
not directly impact the COA.
e. Finance Committee
Ms. Pivirotto stated that work on the Town budget is underway. The committee needs to make the
numbers tell a story about the benefit for everyone in the community.
f. Select Board
Ms. Bingham reported that all recent focus has been on the FY24 budget. Discussions about Wing
Island have been taking a significant amount of energy.
g. Housing
Brewster Woods is in the leasing process.
0 Millstone Road will provide 45 units of affordable housing
212 Yankee Drive rehab — rental assistance is available for Brewster residents
Ms. Usher informed the Council that the mean sales price for homes in Brewster is over $700,000.
12. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair
The Select Board voted to allow in-person meetings starting March 1St. This means that members of the public
might choose to attend our meetings.
13. Next Meetings
The next COA meeting is scheduled for February 16, 2023.
14. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned.
Town of Brewster Council on Aging Draft 19 Jan 2023 Minutes Cont.
Motion: Adjourn the meeting.
Motion: Laura Usher Second: Andrea Nevins Vote: Sharon Ten nstedt —Yes Action: Motion carried
Andrea Nevins —Yes
Jill Beardsley—Yes
Jay Green — Yes
Penny Holeman — Yes
Laura Usher—Yes
Respectfully submitted,
Penny H. Holeman