Below is a summarized version of the Council on Aging meeting, organized by timestamps and speakers, focusing on key points raised during the discussion in Reading, Massachusetts. This summary condenses the discussion into major themes, speaker contributions, and decisions, avoiding excessive detail while retaining the essence of the conversation. Timestamps correspond to the video linked at the bottom.
Contents
Meeting Overview
Meeting Summary: Council on Aging (COA) – March 10, 2025
Start Time: 6:30PM
Format: Hybrid (in-person at Town Hall conference room and Zoom)
- Chair: Nancy Ziemlak
- Present: Marilyn Shapleigh, Jean Prato, Karen Pinette, Karen Janowski, Rosemary DeBenedetto, John Parsons
- Note: Technical difficulties with screen sharing briefly delayed proceedings.
Select Board Update
(3:41 – 7:22)
- Speaker: Chris Haley
- Key Points:
- Select Board will vote on April 1 for the warrant for a new Senior Center and Kellum project.
- Confusion discussed about town meeting and townwide vote processes for project approval.
- Pickleball not included in the warrant.
Elder and Human Services
Report (7:28 – 23:24)
- Speaker: Chris Kowaleski (Elder/Human Services Administrator)
- Key Points:
- February Performance (7:34 – 10:03):
- Averaged 2,864 interactions (below 3,000 goal) due to weather-related cancellations (e.g., Feb 6 birthday lunch).
- Emphasis on safety for older adults, encouraging them to stay home if unsafe.
- Upcoming Events (10:15 – 11:07):
- Health Fair on May 20, 10 AM – 12 PM.
- St. Patrick’s Day lunch sold out in 3 hours, with 19+ on the waitlist as of March 7.
- Property Tax Work-Off Program (11:13 – 16:19):
- 9 completed applications, 2 near completion, ~25 still out.
- Raised income limits (single: ~$72K, couple: ~$102K) and pay from $8 to $15/hour, boosting interest.
- Deadline flexible, starts in July, filling 10 spots.
- Sand for Seniors (16:26 – 19:16):
- Delivered 15 sand buckets to seniors, well-received by caregivers too.
- Low-cost program using DPW sand, buckets purchased.
- Waitlist Reporting (19:23 – 20:00):
- Added waitlist category to reports (e.g., 3 for birthday lunch, 5 for Valentine’s lunch).
- Recal Public Forums (20:06 – 20:37):
- March 25, 6 PM at Pleasant Street Center; March 27, 10 AM at Select Board Room. Focus on finances.
- PSC Updates (20:24 – 23:24):
- Closed Feb 17 for holiday.
- Online registration via My Active Center growing, reducing phone calls.
- AARP tax prep on Wednesdays running smoothly.
- February Performance (7:34 – 10:03):
- Questions:
- Rosemary asked about trust fund expenditure tracking (25:05); Chris promised an update next month (28:19).
- John asked about tax prep qualifications (23:35); Chris clarified AARP limits it to simple returns.
Friends of Reading Senior 60+
Update (29:18 – 36:18)
- Speaker: Nora Bucko
- Key Points:
- $12,000 raised, donated $1,000 to Reading Food Bank prioritizing seniors.
- Planning a May 31 fundraiser (Antique Road Show-style auction at St. Agnes Hall, 10 AM – 2 PM).
- New member suggests computer support for homebound seniors; grant-writing expertise noted.
- Discussion:
- Chris mentioned an iPad program update for next meeting (32:58).
- Rosemary and others emphasized value of grant-writing skills (33:19 – 34:30).
- Fund investment options briefly debated (33:31 – 34:11).
COA Calendar
(36:18 – 38:29)
- Speakers: Karen Janowski, Nancy
- Key Points:
- May meeting shifted from May 12 to May 5 to prepare for May 13 vote, but reverted to May 12 after discussion.
Recal Update
(38:42 – 1:04:11)
- Speakers: Karen, Jean, Marilyn, Chris, Rosemary, John
- Key Points:
- Schematic design completed, reviewed, and refined (39:15 – 40:07).
- Suggestions included companion bathrooms, dividing a 1,000 sq ft flex room, and soundproofing (41:35 – 48:07).
- Concerns about usable space (e.g., current great room ~1,150 sq ft but less usable) (43:54 – 46:39).
- Building size fixed at $27.9M; no major expansions possible (54:23 – 56:04).
- Conservation approval pending for wetlands proximity (59:03 – 1:00:02).
- Emphasis on designing a dedicated Senior Center, not a rec center (1:00:14 – 1:03:06).
- Action: Karen to share Excel spreadsheet of design suggestions (1:04:18).
Outreach Mailing
Discussion (1:04:24 – 1:45:56)
- Speakers: Karen Janowski, Chris, Rosemary, John, Marilyn, Nancy, Jean, Karen Pinette
- Key Points:
- Options Debated:
- Pleasantries: $5,000+ for townwide (1:06:59), first 1,000 free via ads (1:06:40).
- Postcard: ~$5,500 townwide previously, ~$3,400 for 60+ (1:09:42 – 1:10:22).
- Trifold: Proposed as cheaper alternative, no cost estimate yet (1:33:18).
- Motions:
- Karen Pinette: Pleasantries townwide, $5,000 from trust funds – tied 4-4, failed (1:23:19 – 1:25:09).
- Karen Pinette: Pleasantries to 60+, trust funds – tied 4-4, failed (1:27:47 – 1:33:12).
- Rosemary: Trifold townwide, trust funds – withdrawn due to lack of design/cost info (1:33:18 – 1:37:02).
- Marilyn: Postcard townwide, special meeting for cost approval – not finalized (1:37:38 – 1:39:29).
- Concerns:
- Timing near election might confuse voters about recal (1:40:17).
- Staff capacity for increased interest (1:26:34).
- Waste if mailed townwide (1:20:09).
- Options Debated:
- Outcome: Special meeting scheduled for March 24, 4:30 PM to finalize postcard or trifold decision with costs and samples (1:42:17 – 1:45:44).
Leadership Transition
(1:45:56 – 1:48:39)
- Speaker: Nancy Ziemlak
- Key Points:
- Nancy Ziemlak resigned as COA chair (1:46:05).
- Karen Janowski nominated, unanimously elected as new chair (1:46:47 – 1:48:39).
- Vote: 8-0 (Rosemary, Joan, Karen P, Karen J, John, Marilyn, Nancy, Jean).
Key Outcomes
- Program Updates: Strong February performance despite cancellations; new initiatives (e.g., Sand for Seniors, tax work-off) successful.
- Recal Design: Schematic refined, focus on Senior Center identity, pending conservation approval.
- Outreach Mailing: No decision finalized; special meeting on March 24 to vote on postcard or trifold with costs.
- Leadership: Nancy Ziemlak replaced by Karen Janowski as Chair.
