The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My Public Portal AboutCouncil on Aging Board -- 2023-09-21 MinutesTown of Brewster Council on Aging Board Meeting—Thursday September 21, 2023 1:00 PM Brewster Town Hall, 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631 Board members attending: Andrea Nevins, Sharon Tennstedt, Jill Beardsley, Penny Holeman, Jay Green, Honey Pivirotto, Laura Usher Alternate Board members present: Jan Crocker, Eva Gorman (virtually) Others Attending: Elton Cutler, COA Director; Marilyn Dearborn, President of Friends of Brewster Seniors Absent: Cindy Bingham, Select Board Liaison; Annie Rapaport, COA Program Coordinator 1. Call to Order Co -Chair Sharon Tennstedt called the meeting to order at 1:00pm. 2. Declaration of a Quorum Sharon Tennstedt declared a quorum. 3. Meeting Participation Statement The meeting participation statement was read by Sharon Tennstedt. 4. Recording Statement Sharon Tennstedt read the recording statement. S. Public Announcements and Statements None 6. Approval of Minutes Minutes from 8/17/22 reviewed. Andrea Nevins made a motion to approve minutes. Honey Pivirotto seconded. There was one abstention (Laura Usher). Minutes approved. 7. Directors Report Elton Cutler reviewed the Director's Report. In addition to his written report, he indicated the following: The Brewster COA is leading the way on Cape Cod in terms of outreach and numbers of households served in terms of mobile food distribution. 8. Program Coordinator's Report Elton Cutler reported in Annie Rapaport's absence, as she is at the library doing a presentation of an Alzheimer's related movie today. There is a Sepsis Awareness event tomorrow 9/22, along with a proclamation by Rep. Flanagan. Car Fit training on 9/25 which is for technicians. Event is TBD. Sharon asked about publicizing this event since the COA newsletter for Sept/Oct has already gone out. Elton reports that an email blast will be done along with posting on the Town website; Marilyn said a poster will be at the FOBS thrift store as well as their newsletter; Andrea suggested posters at Wells Court, Frederick Court as well as library, Brewster General Store, etc.; and Laura suggested social media posts so that children of seniors can relay information to their families who might benefit from Car Fit. 9. Update on Needs Assessment Survey -UMass Wass is still analyzing data. They are conducting 3 focus groups on 9/27. One will be held at Frederick Court and 2 at Town Hall, open to all residents. They are asking people to register for these groups ahead of time. Honey Pivirotto referred to articles she distributed to the Board regarding the isolation of seniors and how this might be addressed during these focus groups. Sharon Tennstedt said that issue will likely be part of the discussion in the groups but will email Wass to be sure it is part of the discussion. 10. 50th Anniversary Events A brainstorming session was held on 9/15 with attendance by Elton Cutler, Annie Rapaport, Marilyn Dearborn, Sharon Tennstedt, Mike Gradone of the Rec Dept, Peter Lombardi, and Donna Kalinick in attendance. Elton Cutler reports there will be a commemorative event in early June at the Sea Camps property with a tent. All ages will be welcome with a "Taste of Brewster" type event. Local food establishments will be asked to participate. There will be a "Living Legacy" display of individual photos and bion highlighting residents who have contributed to Brewster's history, which can be displayed in various venues (and added to) on an ongoing basis; Elton also plans to create a book which can be sold to community, family and friends of individuals included in the book. He seeks residents to forward names of people to be included. Jan Crocker remarked there may be Cultural Council funds to cover the cost of such a book. Sharon Tennstedt would like to see additional educational symposiums offered for the 50th anniversary such as how the aging services network is structured from the federal to local COAs. Penny Hoieman suggested reaching out to local Native Americans for their input in the 50th Anniversary project. Laura Usher commented on Netflix special on `Blue Zones" as a possible educational topic as well. 11. Fundraising Updates Jay Cutler reported that, while waiting on resubmission for NRA funds in February, he is pursuing Cape Cod Foundation funds which may be available for the Brewster Road project. CCF prefers larger projects so he is considering additional sites for benches and tables such as the Brewster Dog Park and Drummer Boy Park. He is awaiting a call to schedule a Zoom meeting with CCF. Sharon Tennstedt suggested adding benches at Stony Brook courts for pickleball viewing, and Honey Pivirotto suggested approaching Natural Resources to see if there were other locations in town that would be of interest. Andrea Nevins also suggested viewing platforms/benches at beaches in Brewster. 12. Committee Reports a. Recreation Honey Pivirotto distributed flyers for a fundralser at Pelham House on 10/1 for Nauset Youth Alliance and Brewster Rec. Discussion at Rec Committee is of expansion of pickleball capacity in town. The sailing program has seen decreasing numbers and may be eliminated. Pool at Sea Camps was very successful this summer. Fall programs are open and include a Halloween program at the library. b. Vision Planning Committee The committee voted to recommend adoption of the LCP draft to Select and Planning Boards. A public hearing will be held on 9/27 at Town Hall. c. Pond and Bay Property Planning Committees Reed Hildebrand has compiled information from the recent forum and subsequent survey. Making decisions will be complicated. Committees will be meeting on 10/4. Adding to tax burden is a concern as well as the siting of a potential community center. There will be a virtual forum held on 11/30. d. Drummer Boy Jay Cutler reports he is glad there is a COA representative on the committee. Peter Lombardi is chairing this committee. They are charged to review, evaluate, and update the previously approved Master Plan. They will not be incorporating any access to Wing Island. The committee will also consider how Sea Camps could impact development of Drummer Boy Park. They will likely meet every two weeks with a tour of the Drummer Boy property next week. e. Board of Health Penny Holeman reported that the COA is working with BOH to provide a Covid vaccine to residents. BOH also working on enforcing existing septic regulations for individual homeowners and commercial properties. f. Finance Committee No report. g. Select Board No report. h. Housing No report. i. Friends of Brewster Seniors Marilyn Dearborn reports they are sold out for the reception at Crosby Mansion scheduled for Sunday 9/24 with great auction items available. They have some openings for a trip to the Museum of Fine Arts, planning a trip to the Csape Cod Symphony Holiday Concert, and a Holiday Luncheon at Olivers on 12/13. 14. Questions from the Media No media present 15. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair Sharon Tennstedt reminded the Board of Volunteer Appreciation Day on 9/30 in the dining hall of Bay property open to all Town volunteers. Lunch will be offered. She also reminded members to complete the Communication Survey on the Town website. 16. Next Meeting To be held 10/19/23 at Town Hall, 1:00 pm. 17. Motion to Adjourn So moved by Laura Usher, seconded by Penny Holeman. Meeting adjourned at 2:30 pm. Respectively submitted, Jill Beardsley