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Home My Public Portal AboutCouncil on Aging Board -- 2024-02-15 MinutesTown of Brewster 77 Council on Aging Board Meeting — Thursday February 15, 2024 1:00 PM Brewster Town Hall, 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631 Board members attending: Andrea Nevins, Sharon Tennstedt, Penny Holeman, Laura Usher, Jay Green. Jill Beardsley, Honey Pivirotto, Jan Crocker (alternate) Board members absent: Eva Orman (alternate) Others Attending: Elton Cutler, COA Director, Annie Rapaport, Program Coordinator, and Marilyn Dearborn, President of Friends of Brewster Seniors 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 S. Tennstedt declared a quorum based on the number of board members present 3. Meeting Participation and Recording Statements The meeting participation/recording statements were read by S Tennstedt. 4. Public Announcements -- Carol Anderson addressed the Board regarding the feasibility of grant funding for computers accessible to seniors who don't have computers, and she emphasized the importance of affordable housing. S. Approve Minutes: January 8 and January 18 Andrea Nevins made a motion to approve the 1/8 minutes; Laura Usher seconded and they were approved by board members with one abstention. Penny Holeman made a motion to approve the 1/18 minutes, seconded by Jill Beardsley. The full Board voted to approve. 6. Discussion of New Action Plan Text- Assignments & Progress Reports S.Tennstedt thanked everyone who attended the retreat and stated that the work accomplished at the retreat had met and acceded expectations. We are off to a good start. She reviewed the eight domains of interest that emanated from the UMass Needs Assessment report, and the assignments given to board members for developing objectives, supporting text and action step recommendations for each domain. Three drafts are in so far. Haven't heard from Caregiving, Housing Life -Long Learning, Financial Insecurity or Health and Wellness. They will get theirs in shortly. S.Tennstedt reminded everyone to not get too deep into content but to stay more general. to set priorities for their objectives/action steps and to be realistic about what can be accomplished. First draft copies should go to S.Tennstedt and A. Nevins and they will give feedback. include a paragraph or two re their domain as a preface to content 7. Discussion of 501' Anniversary Events The planning committee (E.Cutlerl, S. Tennstedt, H. Pivirotto and M.Dearborn) met to work further on the events. Much is in place already including entertainment, food, etc. E.Cutler has ordered two stages. They will meet again in March. Brewster Historical will have a running slide show for the Anniversary. Jan Crocker reported on Living Legacy Project. Six interview candidates have been contacted and agreed to participate. Photos are being taken next week. Interviews with all candidates will take place in March. S.Tennstedt will contact Brewster's oldest (age 105) resident to see if she can participate. There are also plans for this person to participate in the June Anniversary event. Suzanne at Town Hall has also offered to film the interviews. It was also recommended that signage for the upcoming event could be posted around town as town restrictions allow. 8. Director's Report Elton Cutler„ reviewed the attached Director's Report. Discussion ensued re how to capture unmet needs for services that COA cannot address, and whether incoming calls for consultations were first time calls from residents. A. Rappaport said many calls are from neighbors worried about the older person next door. E. Culter said staff capture information on anyone who calls for help. A. Rapport also mentioned that they get frequent calls about transportation to Boston. H.Pivirotto asked about the COA budget. E.Cutler said the budget increased just under 10% from last year. The biggest increase was for the costs of adult day center enrollees. Funds were also added for a new COA website. E.Cutler is hoping to have tabs on COA website for Library, Recreation and The Friends so that residents will have one-stop "shopping" for programming in all four different arenas. Residents will be able to register on-line. M. Dearborn mentioned that the Friends are also looking to have their members register online and can benefit from/coordinate with COA on development of their website. L. Usher pointed out that the CDA website could become a "virtual community center" of information. Elton said the COA budget is on the town website but he will provide copies for everyone at next board meeting. 9. Program Report & Review FY23/24 Action Plan Implementation Annie Rapaport presented program highlights for January and February to date (see attached). There were a few weather cancellations. The Valentine's Party was rescheduled for 2/28. More people have signed up to use the indoor pool. The annual Wellness Fair will now be called the Town of Brewster Wellness Fair. Annie will remain the point person as she knows previous participants well but will get input from other departments for both ideas and help. She thinks the venue will be the Baptist Church since that space was ideal in the past. Anticipates fair will run from 2 to 4 PM. 10. Fundralsing Updates Jay Green reported that NAR proposal for benches on Brewster Road has been resubmitted. L. Usher said we should know by next week if we get the grant. Jay also reported that the Board might consider a grant for a "parklet or mini -park" using the small ball field behind the COA. The parklet would be designed for socialization, games, exercise within walking distance from the COA to compensate for lack of space at the COA building. This is not for the immediate future, but to be explored as a possibility moving forward over the next 5 years as the town re -thinks the uses of all parks. 11. Committee and Liaison Reports .Drummer Boy Park Advisory Committee Jay Green reported that the Drummer Boy Park survey has been completed and the results are expected next week. Recreation H. Pivirotto deferred to S.Tennsteadt who reported that the benches and tables for Freeman's way are in storage and are awaiting the identification of a contractor to install the cement bases that are required by the town. She met with M.Gradone to identify where installation should take place. Project will be completed this calendar year. Board of Health P. Holeman did not attend the last meeting and had no report Housing Laura Usher reported on housing/condo inventory in Brewster, sales, median sale prices. Finance Committee No liaison has been appointed yet by the Finance Committee Bay and Ponds Properties S.Tennstedt reported that the Reed Hildebrand contractors, in developing the proposed plans for both properties, had been very responsive to the residents of Brewster and to the two planning committees.. She urged everyone to attend the zoom meeting at 6 PM on 2/18. Plans for a community center, if approved at town meeting, will be phased in over a 10 year period. Phase one will involve assessing feasibility and steps to proceed. Tours of both properties will again take place before town meeting. Pond property tours on April 6 & 10. Cultural Council — J.Crocker reported that the Food For Thought program proved very popular with most of the attendees being seniors Select Board No report from Cindy Bingham Friends of Brewster Seniors Marilyn Dearborn reported on upcoming events including the re -scheduled Valentine's Day Party, the St. Patrick's Day Party and the Ice Cream Social. The Friend's thrift shop will re -open on March 1 with it's regular hours Last Minute Comment-L.Usher, after visiting Fire Dept., suggested stickers indicating to fire personnel that an older adult, unable to get out in the event of a fire, is inside (similar to the ones used for children and pets.) Everyone thought that was a great idea. E. Cutler will look on line to see about purchase. M.Dearborn said the Friends would be willing to help finance. Would be great to pass out at June Anniversary event, perhaps by Fire Dept personnel (or at Health Fair). 12. No Media Were Present 13 Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair Bone 14. Next Meeting The next COA meeting is scheduled for March 21, 2024 15. Adjournment P. Holeman made a motion to adjourn the meeting. L,Usher seconded, and adjournment approved. Respectfully submitted, Andrea Nevins