Town of Hampden
Regular Meeting of Council on Aging Board
9:00AM at the Hampden Senior Center
April 13, 2004
Approved: May 11, 2004
In attendance: Brian MacLeod, Linda Gaudette, John Shay, Pat Clark, Virginia Schneider, Shirley Gouvan, Becky Muldrew, Rita Vail
Guests: Bill Olmstead, Laurie Houle-Isham
Brian called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM.
The minutes of March 9, 2004 were accepted as written.
The Treasurer’s report was accepted as presented.
Director’s report was reviewed and accepted.
Brian welcomed the newest board member, Linda Gaudette. She completes the third “under 60” member of the board.
Regarding any updates on the budget, Rita reported that a meeting was being held the evening of April 13th in the auditorium of the Town Hall to discuss the financial position of the town and the facts related to the upcoming override ballot question. She said she would be working with a focus group to try to pass the ballot question. Others who had already signed up of this task were Carol Fitzgerald and Bonnie Howell. Becky said she would also attend this evening meeting.
Brian asked for a Nominating Committee of three to recommend a slate of officers to be voted at the June COA Board meeting. Virginia and Shirley volunteered and said they would ask Ruth to help them.
Our guest, Laurie Houle-Isham presented an upcoming event—October 2nd, 2004—called the “Buddy Walk”. This is an annual event for Down Syndrome awareness (October being Down Syndrome Awareness Month) which was started locally and has grown to national size. Laurie would like to see inter-generational participation. The primary location of the event is Thornton Burgess School. The walk will be from the school, up Wilbraham Rd., down Raymond Dr., and then to the Senior Center from where walkers will take the cut-through path back to the school. Our involvement is as a “pit stop” for water, orange slices, rest rooms, etc. Laurie explained that volunteers may have any range of participation, from handing out water, to walking, to giving money, in whatever capacity a person wishes. The main focus is awareness, having fun, and coming together not only as one community but including many communities. The Board agreed this is a great idea and will discuss it again as the time draws closer.
Becky has been approached by RAH for using the Senior Center two nights a month for ping pong contests. The logistics were discussed in detail and given that the Senior Center is not open two nights monthly, the Town House was given as a possible option that Becky might suggest. Additionally, budgetary restraints do not allow for opening the Senior Center.
Bill Olmstead asked to have his band play at an afternoon tea. Shirley suggested a Spring Social in May. Everyone favored the idea. Bill said he will get volunteers for refreshments.
Shirley reported that the “Special Luncheons” are great! Scheduled on otherwise quiet days with lunch attendance of about 15, these are drawing as many as 90 people. Good going, Gouvan!
Pat Clark attended a meeting and reported that one lawyer who spoke will give talks at Senior Centers. She will give her name to Becky. Also, Legal Services comes and audits the money given to COA’s by GSSSI.
John Shay, rep to GSSSI, reported that their last meeting was cancelled due to legislative meetings and therefore, he had no update.
Meeting adjourned at 9:35 AM.
Respectfully submitted for the Secretary, Rita Vail