HomeMy Public PortalAboutCouncil on Aging Board -- 2023-08-17 MinutesTown of Brewster
Council on Aging Board Meeting r TE. T01H =' yrs.
Thursday, August 17, 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
Board members absent: Laura Usher
Alternate Board members present: Jan Crocker filling in for Laura Usher
Alternate Board members absent: Eva Orman
Others attending: Elton Cutler, Director and Annie Rapaport, Program Coordinator and Marilyn
Dearborn, Friends of Brewster Seniors Liaison
Absent: Cindy Bingham, Select Board Liaison; and TBD, Finance Liaison
1. Call to Order
Andrea Nevins, Co -Chair called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
2. Declaration of a Quorum
Andrea Nevins declared a quorum with Jan Crocker, alternate member, filling position of Laura
Usher.
3. Meeting Participation Statement
Amdrea Nevins read the Meeting Participation Statement
4. Recording Statement
Andrea Nevins read the Recording Statement.
S. Public Announcements and Comments
No members of the public attended the meeting either in-person or virtually.
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Town of Brewster
Council on Aging Board Meeting
Thursday, August 17, 2023 —1:00 p.m.
Brewster Town Hall, 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631
6. Approval of minutes: July 20, 2023
The minutes were reviewed and one revision noted. P. Holeman noted the word "that" be
changed to "than" on page 5, line 7 under "Board of Health". P. Holeman made a motion to
approve minutes with one correction; J. Beardsley seconded the motion. Minutes were
approved.
7. Director's Report
Elton Cutler, COA Director, reviewed the Director's report. In addition to his written report, Mr.
Cutler indicated the following:
He completed all staff evaluations and submitted them to Town HR by 7/1/23.
He is anticipating at least 30 SHINE appointments per week and he will supplement SHINE staff
if additional resources are needed.
He indicated 30 real estate tax exemption applications have been done in the last two weeks.
He also indicated that transports to Rock Harbor respite have increase to 9 from previous levels
of 6/7.
8. 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. She indicated the VNA aquatic conditioning received
rave reviews with many requests for more sessions. Geography gameshow with Mr. Nichols at
Eddy School was a big success and he is interested in doing this again. She noted BBQ on 9/1
will be cut off at 50 people. She indicated Jennifer Stratton will return with art classes for six
weeks in September. She also noted a movie on Alzheimer's will be shown at the library
9/21/23 from 2 to 4 p.m.
9. Update on Needs Assessment Survey-UMASS Contract Work
S. Tennstedt discussed the Needs Assessment Survey and UMASS Contract Work. UMASS is
working on data entry and analysis of survey responses. The response rate is estimated to be in
the 25% range. Focus groups will be scheduled with residents, community groups and key
stakeholders. Efforts are being made to include input from more men. Work is to be completed
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Town of Brewster
Council on Aging Board Meeting
Thursday, August 17, 2023 —1:00 p.m.
Brewster Town Hall, 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631
by the end of November. 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.
10. Discussion of 50th Anniversary Events
Mr. Cutler Indicated he sent a letter out and he provided a copy to the board members
confirming a planning/brainstorming meeting for September 15, 2023 at 10:30 at the COA. The
letter went to business, the Chamber of Commerce and others. Mr Cutler has reviewed ideas
discussed today regarding legacy project and use of Sea Camps with the Town Manager and
others. He indicated there is strong interest in planning another event similar to the social
security event held earlier this year as an educational session and that it might work to do an
open house at COA with several educational sessions.
11. Fundraising Updates
Jay Green indicated the plan was to resubmit the grant to the National Realtors Association in
January when a new round of funding would be available. He is waiting to hear back on the
Municipal Improvement Grant. Mr. Green is exploring others including Cape Cod Foundation. S.
Tennstedt indicated it is possible to go back to CPC for another funding request. CPC has
expressed receptivity to additional requests. She reviewed the process of submitting the
request to CPC. Then if approved, it goes onto the Town Meeting warrant for action at the next
Town Meeting. Other locations for special benches and picnic tables similar to those previously
funded and ordered by the town might be Drummer Boy Park and Sea Camp property. Ms.
Tennstedt also noted there has been interest in benches for seniors watching pickieball at
Stonybrook. It was noted that Jay Green is now a member of the Drummer Boy Advisory
Committee which may help with initiating a discussion with that committee.
13. Committee and Liaison Reports
Committee liaison reports were made next.
Recreation Committee: H. Pivirotto did connect with M. Gradone; he now knows she is the new
liaison. She did not attend the meeting as it was moved from Thursday to Monday when she
was not available. She will be contacting M. Gradone to confirm date, time and location for
August meeting and plan to attend.
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Town of Brewster
Council on Aging Board Meeting
Thursday, August 17, 2023 —1:00 p.m.
Brewster Town Hall, 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631
Pond and Bay properties: Ms. Crocker indicated the online survey is open for the Bay and Pond
properties. S. Tennstedt indicated about 400 people attended the forum on August 5. She
indicated that she and Mr. Cutler staffed the board for the Community Center. There were
mixed opinions about whether there should be a new building or reuse of existing buildings.
The Dining Hall is the only building with that potential but it has serious issues and would
require may upgrades that would likely be costly to complete. Upcoming forums will focus on
costs to accomplish various options. If people were not at the forum, they can access materials
online and will have until August 25 to express opinions in the online survey. Ms. Crocker
indicated there will be 2 additional forums to focus on the Bay Property and on the Pond
Property separately. The plan is for the consultants to present the information on September
20 and 21. It is a complicated process and costs will be key as well as revenues. Ms. Tennstedt
indicated the results of input on programming desired for a community center helps fuel the
strategic plan for the COA.
Vision Planning Committee: Ms. Tennstedt indicated the plan is posted on the town website.
The committee is updating a few things including the town census data. The focus of the LCP
committee is now on outreach and education of the community on what the LCP is really used
for and how it can be viewed. The committee will use phone calls and medica. The goal is to
bring it to the November 13, 2023, town meeting for action.
Drummer Boy Committee: Jay Green is officially on this committee. First meeting is scheduled
for September 12. Plan is to have two meetings per month. Focus is on a review of the
previously developed design in light of subsequent actions to include purchase of Sea Camp and
decisions related to boardwalk.
Board of Health: Ms. Holeman reported that the Board officially voted to pursue a formal
liaison position with the COA. She indicated there is a lot of interest in the new state
regulations to protect watersheds and septic systems and she believes communications will
increase to the towns.
FINCOM: No report; waiting for liaison to be appointed.
Select Board: No report; Cindy Bingham was absent.
Friends of Brewster Seniors: Ms. Dearborn indicated they had a wonderful whale watch in July.
She noted a train trip is next week; more than 30 people are signed up to participate. On
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Town of Brewster
Council on Aging Board Meeting
Thursday, August 17, 2023 —1:00 p.m.
Brewster Town Hall, 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631
September 7 Friends is hosting a Lobster Roll Cruise. At the end of September, they plan to hold
a cocktail reception at Crosby Mansion which will be limited to 125. October 12 is the trip to
Boston Museum. She noted they are working on holiday plans to include Cape Cod Symphony
program. She indicated that the Friends are working with COA on picnic plans for 9/1 and
continuing to solicit for members. Total membership is now just over 300 and more are needed.
The thrift shop continues to be busy and generating funds for the Friends. Finally, she noted the
Friends provided $245 to help a town resident who desperately needed assistance in their
home.
13. Questions from the Media
No media representatives were present.
14. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair
VNA Aquatics class was limited to 15 people. P. Holeman noted she took it and it was excellent.
It was held in the shallow end of the pool in the shade so no worries about the sun. She wanted
to be sure that it is known everyone participating wanted more classes. Ms. Rappaport noted
there were fewer classes than originally planned. Goal is to have six to eight classes next time.
S. Tennstedt noted that September 30 is Volunteer Appreciation Day. Various town committees
and boards will be there to recruit more members. She is looking for volunteers to accompany
her at the event from 10 a.m. to noon and help recruit for COA. Mr. Cutler is on vacation that
week but noted he supports the effort to bring on more volunteers. There is an appreciation
luncheon at noon for the volunteers. All board members are welcome.
Ms. Rappaport noted she is developing pamphlets highlighting need for volunteers to be used
at the event scheduled at the library early in September to recruit volunteers. These materials
might be useful for the Town event. Ms. Dearborn noted that the library is holding the event
September 5 from 11 to 1 to give non profits a chance to outreach for volunteers. Friends will
be there recruiting for volunteers.
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Town of Brewster
Council on Aging Board Meeting
Thursday, August 17, 2023 —1:00 p.m.
Brewster Town Hail, 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631
15. Next Meeting
Next Meeting is September 21, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Town Hall,
16. Adjournment
R Holeman made a motion to adjourn at 2:25 p.m.; A. Nevins seconded the motion. Meeting
was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Honey Pivirotto
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