HomeMy Public PortalAboutCouncil on Aging Board -- 2023-04-20 MinutesTown of Brewster
Council on Aging Board Meeting — Thursday April 20, 2023
1:00 — 3:00 PM-
Brewster Town Hall, 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631 LT-
Board members attending: Andrea Nevins, Sharon Tennstedt, Jay Green,
Board members absent: Jill Beardsley, Steve Holmes, Penny Holeman, and Laura Usher
Others Attending: Elton Cutler, COA Director, Annie Rapaport, Program Coordinator, Cindy Bingham,
Select Board Liaison, and Honey Pivirotto, Finance Committee Liaison
1. Call to Order
Co -Chair Andrea Nevins called the meeting to order at 1:03 pm.
2. Declaration of a Quorum
A. Nevins declared absence of a quorum based on the number of board members present.
3. Meeting Participation Statement
The meeting participation statement was read by A. Nevins,
4. Approve Minutes: March 16, 2023
The minutes were not available and therefore deferred fir review and vote until the May 18 meeting.
S. Director's Report
Highlights of Elton Cutler's report included the following:
• The summer acquatics program has been arranged at the Bay Parcel pool with the VNA.
• Residents with MassHealth redeterminations will be assisted through SHINE.
• SHINE appointments are available every Thursday. The Outreach Workers will participate in SHINE
training in May.
• 110 residents received assistance with income tax prep through AARP.
• Requests for financial assistance from the Good Neighbors Fund will be handled through Outreach.
• All staff have been trained on the MySeniorCenter software.
• The kick-off meeting with UMASS for the needs assessment survey/report was held on April 181h (see
below for details).
• Transportation services included 49 rides for a total of 1202 miles since the last meeting.
6. Program Report & Review FY22/23 Action Plan Implementation
Annie Rapaport presented highlights regarding recent and upcoming programs included in the action plan
implementation report.
• Twenty-two vendors/organizations are booked for the Wellness Fair on May 19 from 2:00-4:30pm
at the Brewster Baptist Church.
• Trips to the Heritage Museum, Highfield Hall, Chatham Railroad Museum, Cobb House Museum
and Pirates Cove Adventure Golf are planned.
New programs starting in May and June include Strong at Heart, a 4 -week program on Better
Balance through Grounding and Body Awareness, a 3 -week program on drawing, and a
presentation on the therapeutic benefits of acquatic exercise.
7. Update on Social Security Symposium
S. Tennstedt reported that arrangements are being finalized for the program on Social Security at Crosby
Mansion on May 31 for Older Americans Month. The presentation about the current and future state of
Social Security and Congressional considerations will be given by Bob Blancato, a Brewster part-time
resident and aging policy expert. Details for the reception are being worked out. U.S. Representative
Keating has been invited to attend as will the Cape members of the State Legislature. Publicity was
discussed along with the question of limiting this event to Brewster residents or opening it up to residents
of other towns. It was decided to open registration for Brewster residents through May 15 and allow non-
residents to register from May16-22.
8. Update on UMass contract for Needs Assessment & Development contract of next 5 -Year Action Plan
S. Tennstedt reported that the final contract has been executed. Funds were received from a Community
Compact Grant to cover the costs of this work. The content of the needs assessment survey will be finalized
in May and administered by mail (to residents age 75+) as well as online during June. An announcement
postcard will be mailed to all property owners age 50+ using the Assessors Database and the Town Census
for names and addresses. Announcements will also be made on the Town website, social media, and print
media. Email blasts can also be sent through the COA database on MySeniorCenter. The UMASS work will
also include key informant interviews, focus groups, and review of various data sources. A draft report is
expected in November -December, followed by a presentation to the Select Board and then a public
presentation in January. This timeline means that development of the next 5 -year Action Plan can start in
late 2023.
9. Fundraising
The request for CPC funds to purchase 6 accessible benches and 2 picnic tables for Freeman's Way Fields is
contingent on Town Meeting approval on May 1. If approved, funds will be available on July 1.
A. Nevins reported on the funding request to the Cape Cod Realtors Association for benches on Brewster
Road. which leads to Fredericks Court, Wells Court and Brewster Woods housing. The COA letter to the
Board of Commissioners requesting approval for placement of benches and lighting will be considered at
their May meeting. A grant request of $5000 will include purchase of benches and installation on cement
pads.
10. Drummer Boy Park Advisory Committee
A. Nevins announced that the Select Board has approved a charge for a reconstituted Drummer Boy Park
Advisory Committee following the outcome of the March 6 Special Town Meeting. The COA will have a
voting member on the committee as well as the COA Director as a liaison member. The committee charge
was included in the meeting packet. Interested members should contact Elton Cutler.
11. Committee Reports
a. Recreation
No report
b. Vision Planning Committee
S. Tennstedt reported that the committee has resumed its meetings, focused on review of the
October 2022 draft of the local Comprehensive Plan for relevant and appropriate edits following
the results of the March 6 Special Town Meeting. Content will also be updated to reflect recent
actions by the Town since October related to the 10 Building Blocks and related Actions. The
committee then will undertake public education regarding the LCP with the objective of submission
to the Select Board for presentation at the fall Town Meeting.
c. Bay Property Planning Committee
S. Tennstedt reported that Reed Hildebrand has completed the discovery process of the bay property
and presented it to the committee. Their extensive report includes recommendations regarding
usability of the 90 structures on the property. The first community forum is planned for May 20 in
the dining hall on the property. The public will be provided an overview of the discovery results and
asked for input on uses of the property. The final format of the forum will be decided at an upcoming
committee meeting.
d. Board of Health
No report
e. Housing
No report
f. Finance Committee
Honey Pivirotto encouraged all residents to attend Town Meeting on May 1. The warrant includes
many important fiscal issues. She also reported that she has resigned from the Finance Committee
which will necessitate appointment of a new liaison to the COA Board.
Cindy Bingham and Board members thanked Honey for her continuing support of the COA, noting
the helpfulness of her many contributions over the past several years.
g. Select Board
Cindy Bingham underscored the importance of attending Town Meeting on May 1.
12. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair
Elton Cutler noted that MCOA training for COA Boards was held on April 19. However, because a software
issue cancelled the registrations of several people, MCOA will offer the training again at the Brewster COA
on May 15 from 1:30-3:30. Members from any COA Boards on Cape can attend.
13. Next Meetings
The next COA meeting is scheduled for May 18, 2023.
14. Adjournment
Andrea Nevins adjourned the meeting at 2:20pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Tennstedt