HomeMy Public PortalAboutCouncil on Aging Board -- 2023-05-18 MinutesTown of Brewster
Council on Aging Board Meeting—Thursday May 18, 2023 DEC "
1.00 PM k=:, F T_....._EF.Y
Brewster Town Hall, 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631
Board members attending: Andrea Nevins, Sharon Tennstedt, Jill Beardsley, Penny Holeman
Board members absent: Jay Green, Steve Holmes, and Laura Usher
Others Attending: Elton Cutler, COA Director, Annie Rapaport, Program Coordinator, Honey
Pivirotto, Finance Committee Liaison and Marilyn Dearborn, President of Friends
of Brewster Seniors
Absent: Cindy Bingham, Select Board Liaison,
1. Call to Order
Co -Chair Sharon Tennstedt called the meeting to order at 1:03 pm.
2. Declaration of a Quorum
A. S. Tennstedt initially declared absence of a quorum based on the number of board members present;
this changed to presence of a quorum with the arrival of Penny Holeman at 1:15.
B. Resignation from the Board: Steve Holmes
S. Tennstedt indicated she received written notice of resignation from Steve Holmes and accepted it. She
indicated there are now 1 permanent and 2 alternate positions available on the COA Board. Residents are
encouraged to apply.
3. Meeting Participation Statement
The meeting participation statement was read by S Tennstedt.
4. Approve Minutes: April 20, 2023
The minutes were reviewed and no revisions noted. A. Nevin made a motion to approve the minutes; J.
Bearsley seconded. S. Tennstedt and A. Nevin voted in favor; J. Beardsley and P. Holeman abstained.
Minutes were approved.
5. Director's Report
Highlights of Elton Cutler's Director's report included the following:
• The ice cream social was held May 5th and was co-sponsored with the Friends of Brewster Seniors
(the Friends). It was a huge success with people of all ages.
• Funding was provided for a hospital bed for a Brewster resident from the Friends
• 121 tax returns were prepared during tax season resulting in $92,270 refunds of federal taxes plus
$42,084 in MA taxes; $18,078 due to the IRS and $4,686 due to the State of MA.
• 58 households received food distributions on May 10th. The Certified Emergency Response Team
(CERT) continues to assist with the distribution in the COA parking lot.
A comparison of prior year to current year statistics indicates an increase of 12% in food neediness
for the community.
• COA provided 40 rides totaling 1,174 miles (14 rides for programs/activities; 2 rides for dental
appointments, 16 rides for medical appointments, rides for 4 individuals to Orleans Day Center, and
rides for 4 individuals for local shopping.
• Title III -C grant application to fund the rides will be submitted to Elder Services; it is due the 261H
• All staff except 1 from COA attended CPR training on April 26 at the Brewster Fire Dept (7 are CPR
trained).
• Van drivers went through two types of training: defensive driving and driving disabled persons.
• SHINE served 19 clients last month and continues to be booked up with the two volunteers.
• The Director noted statistics provided are for the period in between board meetings.
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.
• There are now 24 vendors 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.
• In June, a 3 session drawing class is planned along with a Better Balance series, Panning Ahead End
of Life Care Planning and Beginners Line Dancing.
7. Update on Social Security Symposium
S. Tennstedt encouraged participation in the program on Social Security at Crosby Mansion on May 31.
The Friends are co -hosting the event with the COA. Currently, 37 people have signed up. The Friends will
be sending out a flyer, someone posted a notice on Facebook, and S. Tennstedt has sent the flyer to 60+
people via her email. COA board members are encouraged to attend. This event is scheduled to celebrate
May as Older Americans Month. The event also kicks off the COA's 50th year. 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. It will be followed by a reception.
8. Update on UMass contract for Needs Assessment & Development contract of next 5 -Year Action Plan
S. Tennstedt reported that she, E. Cutler and A. Nevins are finalizing the content of the survey. They received
additional input from the Town Manager, P. Lombardi and Assistant Town Manager, D. Kalinick. COA is now
waiting to hear from UMASS re incorporating this additional input. The plan is to administer the survey in
June and to send a postcard to residents age 50+ to request participation online. Everyone age 70+ will
receive a copy of the survey in the mail with a stamped, addressed envelope to use for returning it to UMASS.
Questions were included on an array of issues, including about a multigenerational community center at the
Bay Property.
9. Fundraising
The request for CPC funds to purchase 6 accessible benches and 2 picnic tables for Freeman's Way Fields
was approved at Town Meeting on May 1; funds will be available on July 1. S. Tennstedt reported that an
alternate vendor has been identified for the benches and tables with considerably lower prices making it
possible to purchase 4 Tables and 7 benches. This vendor is being used by the town for purchasing tables
and benches to be placed by the pool. Additionally, a modified approval by CPC might make it possible for
the benches and tables to be placed in other locations if the walking path will not be paved until next
spring. S. Tennstedt is to meet with Mike Gradone, Director of Recreation, and walk the field to determine
what seems feasible and bring it back to the next COA meeting. Goal is to place age -friendly benches
throughout the town and use gray benches which is the color already in use by the town.
A. Nevins reported on the funding request to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 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. L. Usher, J. Green and A. Nevins did meet with NAR and discussed the
complicating factors to include the decision by Fredericks Court to install benches that are different than
the ones selected by COA. The team is pushing to secure approvals and funding by September.
10. Drummer Boy Park Advisory Committee
Jay Green has expressed interest in serving as the COA representative on the reconstituted Drummer Boy
Park Advisory Committee. The COA Director is also a liaison member. A motion was made by P. Holeman
to appoint J. Green; A. Nevins seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously.
11. Community Forum
The first of 6 community forums is scheduled for Saturday May 20, 2023, at the Bay Parcel dining hall to
gather resident input to inform the development of a comprehensive plan for the Bay and Long Pond
Parcels. E. Cutler and S. Tennstedt will be present for both the 10 to 12 and 1 to 3 sessions. There are
over 250 residents registered and more than 50 volunteers participating. Everyone is encouraged to
participate with their ideas on how best to use these properties. Attendees can also walk the Bay Parcel
property. A. Nevins circulated a list from research on park preferences among older adults for reference.
12. Committee Reports
a. Recreation
No report. With the resignation of S. Holmes, a new Liaison will be needed for the Recreation
Commission.
b. Vision Planning Committee
S. Tennstedt reported that the committee has met to edit the LCP and plans to have a draft in June
and then focus on community outreach and education from the end of June through October. The
committee is developing a plan and schedule and plan. It expects to have a public hearing near the
end of September after which the LCP will be included in the fall Town Meeting warrant in
November.
c. Bay Property Planning Committee
As above in Item 11.
d. Board of Health
P. Holeman reported that, as a result of the Town election, there are two new members on the Board
of Health. The Board of Health is also participating in the Health Fair on May 19.
e. Housing
A. Nevins indicated that work is continuing to put together a forum on Accessory Dwelling Units as
suggested by C. Bingham previously. Meetings are being scheduled with Jill Scalise to coordinate.
f. Finance Committee
H. Pivirotto indicated no activities are underway now that Town Meeting has concluded and budgets
passed.
g. Select Board
No report.
h. Friends of Brewster Seniors
S. Tennstedt introduced Marilyn Dearborn, President of the Friends of Brewster Seniors (the Friends).
M. Dearborn indicated the organization is a 501c(3) and focuses on support for seniors. It is not
necessary to join the Friends to participate in COA activities. S. Tennstedt encouraged residents to
join the Friends for $10 and participate in many activities. Friends is co -sponsoring the volunteer
luncheon with COA to be held on June 6 at Olivers in Yarmouthport and is also offering several trips
including: a Ptown whale watch; the CC Rail Trail, the Lobster Roll Cruise, Crosby Mansion and the
Museum of Fine Arts.
13. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair
None
14. Next Meeting
The next COA meeting is scheduled for June 15, 2023.
15. Adjournment
A. Nevins made a motion to adjourn the meeting, P. Holeman seconded, and adjournment approved at
2:10pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Honey Pivirotto for Sharon Tennstedt