Town of Hampden
Regular Meeting of Council on Aging Board
9:00AM at the Hampden Senior Center
May 25, 2004
Approved: June 8, 2004
In Attendance: Brian MacLeod, Becky Muldrew, Virginia Schneider, Ruth Haley, Shirley Gouvan, Arlene Fisher, Rita Vail, Pat Clark, John Shay,
Absent: Al Ouimet, Linda Gaudette
Brian called the meeting to order at 8:35 am
This meeting was held to address the reduction of costs that need to be made due to fiscal constraints within the town.
There was discussion on changing the hours of operation for the Senior Center. Becky had drawn up and proposed 2 options. The first addressing cuts of 7 hours per week the 2nd decreasing the hours of operation by 4 hours per week.
It was deemed that the 2nd proposal of a 4-hour per week reduction in the operation of the center was the best option as it allowed for the center to be open with consistent times through the week, thus creating less confusion for individuals. Monday, being the least busy day of the week will be the one with the shortest hours. This scheduling also allows for less shuffling of and loss of programs.
Evening programs will be eliminated. At this time, the cost of providing utilities and staff to continue these programs is unfeasible.
Various means of how to approach the loss of revenue were discussed, Rita suggested that we anticipate an unbudgeted amount of monies being returned to the various town organizations in the upcoming months as the tax base is reset, and free monies are allotted. It was felt that it would be prudent for us to present needs to the advisory committee on a continued basis so that we can appreciate a portion of any unanticipated revenues. The need to reestablish clerical hours was felt to be a main priority if this should occur.
The advisory committee approved 20 hours per week for clerical staffing at the Senior Center. Becky worked with them and was able to have them increase this to 25 hours. The clerical staff’s hours will be cut by 5 hours a week. To meet this reduction clerical staff will only be working during the hours of operation. This cutback will occur on July 1, 2004.
Much discussion was presented regarding the 2 persons involved. It was felt that Doreen is the more efficient and proficient, including her abilities at the computer. Helena has given many years of dedicated service and was the person to bear the brunt of the 10-hour reduction in staffing last year. It was decided amongst the members that the most appropriate decision at this time was to have them both share the loss of time equally.
The reduction from 20 hours per week will mean that Doreen will no longer be a part-time employee for the town and her benefits will be lost. If there is a decision by one or both of these persons to not continue in their present capacity then the distribution of hours for the positions will be readdressed by this committee at the June meeting.
Individually they were asked to join us. Brian apprised them each in turn of the current fiscal situation. They then were given the opportunity to express their thoughts, and then advised of the decision to reduce their hours. Doreen will go from 20 hours to 17.5 hours weekly. Helena will be reduced from 10 to 7.5 hours weekly.
It was agreed to allow time for each to appreciate the impact this will have on their individual lives and we will have Becky share any developments at the next meeting.
Becky informed us that she would be applying for an extension for Tiny Burt to continue with our town. We are hoping that this can be done at least until the fall so that she is able to assist Becky with her state forms.
We all wish the very best of luck to Becky on her wedding June 5th. We hope she has a day full of joy and happiness!!!
Meeting was adjourned at 9:35 am
The next meeting will be held at 8:30 am on Tuesday June 8,2004.
Respectfully submitted,
Ruth Haley