HomeMy Public PortalAboutCouncil on Aging Board -- 2023-07-20 MinutesTown of Brewster
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Council on Aging Board Meeting
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Thursday, July 20, 2023 —1:00 p.m.
Brewster Town Hall, 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631
Board members attending: Andrea Nevins and Sharon Tennstedt, Co -Chairs; Jill Beardsley, Jay
Green, Penny Holeman, Honey Pivirotto, Laura Usher,
Alternate Board members present: Jan Crocker, Eva Orman
Board members absent: none
Others attending: Elton Cutler, Director and Annie Rapaport, Program Coordinator;
Absent: Cindy Bingham, Select Board Liaison; TBN, Finance Liaison; Marilyn Dearborn, Friends
of Brewster Seniors Liaison
1. Call to Order
S. Tennstedt, Co -Chair caped the meeting to order at 1:02 p.m.
2. Declaration of a Quorum
S. Tennstedt declared a quorum with all members including alternate members present.
3. Meeting Participation Statement
S. Tennstedt read the Meeting Participation Statement
4. Recording Statement
S. Tennstedt read the Recording Statement.
S. Public Announcements and Comments
No members of the public attended the meeting either in-person or virtually.
6. Board member introductions
Ms. Tennstedt then welcomed Honey Pivirotto as the new full time board member filling the
vacant position. Also introduced were two new alternate board members, Jan Crocker and Eva
Orman. Alternate Hoard members can participate in discussion at each meeting and will be
eligible to vote if a permanent board member is not present and they are filling the vacant
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Town of Brewster
Council on Aging Board Meeting
Thursday, July 20, 2023 --1:00 p.m.
Brewster Town Hall, 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631
position for that meeting. Each of the Board members and alternate members introduced
themselves to each other.
7. Approval of minutes: June 15, 2023
The minutes were reviewed and no revisions noted. A. Nevin made a motion to approve
minutes for the lune 15, 2023 meeting; J. Beardsley seconded the motion. Minutes were
approved with one abstention by Penny Holeman.
8. Director's Report
Elton Cutler, COA Director, reviewed the Director's report. In addition to his written report, Mr.
Cutler indicated the following:
He is anticipating 36 to 40 SHINE appointments per week and staff are now creating a waiting
list for the open enrollment period of 10/15 to 11/7. Residents are encouraged to call.
Mr. Cutler then announced that the COA received a grant for $600 which funded new tires for
the Ford transit van reducing the cost to the Town to $491.99, representing a significant savings
for town taxpayers.
9. Program Coordinator's Report and Review of 2023-24 Action Plan Implementation
Annie Rappaport then presented the Program Coordinators Report highlights from the written
report provided in the meeting package.
Ms. Rapaport announced the COA is finally on Facebook. She cautioned there is a fake COA
website out there which makes it harder to find the Brewster COA so try searching Brewster
COA or Brewster Council on Aging. She encouraged all to find it and follow it. Ms. Nevins
encouraged an announcement in the Chronicle re COA presence on Facebook.
Ms. Nevin also inquired about the next session of 'if I Live to be 100'. Ms. Rappaport is working
on it; 30 people have registered.
The Board then discussed the challenges of distributing notifications of programs and services
now that COA is issuing a newsletter every two months. For instance, the newsletter covering
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Town of Brewster
Council on Aging Board Meeting
Thursday, July 20, 2023 —1:00 p.m.
Brewster Town Hall, 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631
September and October has to be finalized in early August, meaning a lot of planning has to
happen far in advance of the actual events.
10. Update on Needs Assessment Survey-UMASS Contract Work
S. Tennstedt discussed the Needs Assessment Survey and UMASS Contract Work. She noted
that currently, the COA has completed its five-year plan activities as of June 30, 2023. UMASS is
working with Brewster to conduct the community survey, the results of which will be used to
develop the next five-year plan. Work was delayed on this project pending receipt of state grant
funds. At this point the, needs assessment survey closed on July 12, and UMASS is compiling
the results. The response rate has not yet been calculated but is believed to be in the 25%
range. Residents age 70+ were surveyed for input into the five-year plan. Anyone age 76 or
older was to have received a hard copy of the survey. Jan Crocker indicated that neither she or
her father received the survey. Mr. Cutler will be providing her a hard copy. The final written
report is expected in early December and a report will be presented to the Select Board and
Town Administration with the public presentation in January.
11. Discussion of 50th Anniversary Events
Mr. Cutler then presented ideas for a Legacy event as part of the 50th anniversary of COA which
is occurring throughout this year. He indicated that outreach could occur to find people born,
raised and contributing to Brewster during their life. A suggestion was made to also consider
"Wash Ashores". Jan Crocker suggested pursuing grant funds for the Legacy work effort,
possibly from the Cultural Council. Eva Orman indicated that, while volunteer appreciation is
usually in April, grant potential is possible for food, entertainment and educational components.
The Friends idea of a large celebration event at Sea Camps was highlighted. Ms. Pivirotto raised
the idea of a Taste of Brewster theme with food stations from each of the town restaurants at
the evening event suggested by Friends
Ms. Nevin would like to include more educational events like the Social Security forum during
the year as well as intergenerational activities. She believes kids are interested in how life used
to be and pulling photos from 1900s would be an idea to consider, Ms. Usher indicated this
might present a good tie-in with the Brewster Historical Society and Cobb House. Ms. Crocker
offered to reach out to the producer of the video for the pond property and seek ideas. Penny
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Town of Brewster
Council on Aging Board Meeting
Thursday, July 20, 2023 --1:00 p.m.
Brewster Town Hall, 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631
Holeman thought it might work to feature 4 events — one for each season. Ms. Nevin indicated
that she heard a Yale professor talk and he was so good that Sally Gunning was to invite him
back this year to the Historical Society at Sea Pines inn, and this might be one of the events.
Ms. Tennstedt asked Mr. Cutler to put together a committee and include Marilyn Dearborn as
well as Kyle Hinkle from the Chamber of Commerce to capture all the Ideas and develop a plan.
12. Fundraising Updates
Fundraising updates were discussed with Jay Green indicating that he thought the bench and
picnic table proposal COA is supporting could be eligible for grant opportunity identified by Ms.
Nevin. Ms. Tennstedt and Ms. Nevin then oriented the full Board and alternates to the concept
of these special benches and picnic tables and the goal of placement throughout the town. Ms.
Tennstedt indicated that the Chair of the Pickleball Committee has approached her about
placement of benches and/or picnic tables at the Stonybrook courts as there are a number of
people who show up to watch pickieball activity there and there is nothing suitable for them to
use.
There was discussion about raising the concept at the Drummer Boy Advisory Committee. Jay
Green indicated he was told he was not a member of that committee. Ms. Tennstedt indicated
she would follow-up as one COA board member was to be on the committee along with Mr.
Cutler as a non-voting member.
Ms. Usher indicated that the COA can resubmit in January for funds from the National Realtor's
Association.
13, Committee and Liaison Reports
Committee Liaison reports were made next. There was no report for Recreation Committee. A
new liaison was requested. Ms. Pivirotto volunteered. Ms. Tennstedt indicated R. Bassett is
Chair.
Vision Plannin[, Committee: Ms. Tennstedt updated the Board on the Local Comprehensive Plan
work effort and outreach. She indicated a draft word document reflecting outcomes of
November and March Town Meetings would be posted shortly. This document eliminates any
development of a boardwalk to Wing Island plus updates the content and simplifies language.
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Town of Brewster
Council on Aging Board Meeting
Thursday, July 20, 2023 —1:00 p.m.
Brewster Town Hall, 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631
Community outreach by the committee has begun, starting with a presence at the Pond
summit, Conservation Day at Drummer Boy Park, and a presentation at Brewster Men's Club.
The objective of the outreach is to inform the voters about what the LCP is, and what it does as
well as what it does not do as it essentially provides direction to the Town in its planning efforts.
Bay Property: The next forum is August 5; there are three one-hour sessions residents may
attend to respond to various scenarios that were developed from the initial forum. Several
buildings will be open for viewing. Discussion likely will include a discussion regarding, if there
was a community center, how would It be configured and what would it contain. Mr. Cutler and
Ms. Tennstedt indicated they toured the Harwich Community Center which is considered a
model for intergenerational community center to learn more about how it operates. Ms. Nevin
recommended reading the report from the original forum which is online before going to the
August 5 forum. Ms. Usher recommended adding info on the forum to the COA Facebook page.
Ms. Tennstedt indicated COA will be providing transportation for the forum.
Pond Property: Ms. Crocker indicated there are walking tours of the pond property on Saturday,
July 291h leaving from Town Hall.
Board of Health: Ms. Holleman reported the idea of a liaison between the Brewster Board of
Health and COA continues to be discussed. It would not typically be a voting position but would
solidify a very important common mission focused on public health and safety. It was noted
that Ms. Holeman who is on the Board of Health is already on the COA board as a voting
member. Ms. Holleman reported that as of July 7 the state reqs on the watershed were
published and there have been a number of questions on how these affect the towns on Cape
Cod. She reported that Brewster is in a better position that some other towns on Cape based
on what Brewster has been doing for the last 30 to 40 years. Ms. Tennstedt indicated the Water
Resources Taskforce is developing informational materials and that the Town is applying for
watershed permits in addition to the Pleasant Bay watershed. Ms. Usher stated it would be
helpful to have a one pager with bullet points on these regulations to inform the residents with
accurate information.
Housin : Ms. Usher report that the partnership cancelled the .lune meeting and in July there
was a program on ADUs the partnership was to attend. There are two new houses through
Habitat for Humanity in Brewster off Red Top Road. Applications are due August 14. Market
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Town of Brewster
Council on Aging Board Meeting
Thursday, July 20, 2023 —1:00 p.m.
Brewster Town Hail, 2195 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631
stats for housing sales in Brewster through for June were 12 sales with a median of $810k; 13
properties open for sale with 1.2 months of inventory and sales at 101.4% of original price.
Mr. Cutler reported the outreach workers have information on the two houses through Habitat
and are distributing info to those who are housing needy. Brewster Housing Partnership has a
link for houses available. Beth Finch donated the property and it will be called Phoebe Way.
Fincom: No report; waiting for liaison to be appointed.
Select Board: No report; Cindy Bingham was absent.
14. Questions from the Media
No media representatives were present.
15. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair
Nothing presented.
16. Next Meeting
Next Meeting is August 17, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Town Hall.
17. Adjournment
J. Beardsley made a motion to adjourn at 3 p.m.; A. Nevin seconded the motion. Meeting was
adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Honey Pivirotto
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