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Friday, October 21, 2022, 10:00 am until 11:00 am
A meeting of the Council on Aging (COA)

Meeting of Council on Aging (COA)

Members: (Quorum)

• Present: Judy Raphael, Co-Chair, Treasurer, at 10:00 AM
• Present: Fay Zipkowitz, Co-Chair, at 10:00 AM
• Present: Sue Nagy , at 10:00 AM
• Present: Judi Fonsh, at 10:00 AM

Also Present:

• Terry Allen (former Chair of COA)
• Tim Shores
• Jya Plavain
• Absent - John Szczesney
• Absent - Barbara Kline

See original Agenda Approved Meeting Minutes

Meeting opened: 10:00 AM

Meeting closed: 11:30 AM

0. Meeting Preliminaries

   • Meeting Opened / Attendance Taken (see above).

   • No minutes to approve.

1. Call to Order:

   • - Meeting opened at 10:10AM

2. Approve minutes of previous meeting

   • - Minutes of the 9/16/2022 meeting

     MOTION, moved by Judi Fonsh, seconded by Judy Raphael: Motion to approve the minutes of the 9/16/2022 as amended.

     Pass: Aye: Gene Stamell, Judi Fonsh, Sue Nagy , Fay Zipkowitz, Judy Raphael. Not Present: John Szczesny.

3. Treasurer's Report:

   • - JR stated that there may be potential funding from the Mass Department of Elder Affairs and The Coalition of the Council on Aging incentive grant. There is an upcoming meeting that she plans to attend.

4. Other Business:

   • - Community - Based Participatory Needs Assessment for the Elder Population of Leverett, Massachusetts:

     General Discussion...
     Jya and Tim from Town Common Research attended the meeting to discuss the 2022 Discovery Report for Leverett: Some of the discussion below.
     1. Life Path will conduct their own survey.
     2. Possible Additional smaller focus groups.
     3. A larger group Community meeting with seniors.
     4. Incorporating Village Neighbor for outreach.
     5. Recruiting people for the focus groups based on the the most pressing issues affecting seniors.
     6. How to notify the public.

   • - Survey findings:

     General Discussion...
     Some findings in the survey most pressing to seniors:
     1. Navigators - a person who can help seniors with finding resources and other help.
     There may be Federal or State funds for an outreach person.
     2. Facilities - a community space where seniors can gather for a social connection.
     3. Aging in place.
     4. Communication is an issue.
     
     Next Steps:
     Recruitment for focus group.
     Tim will send members script for our approval.

   • - COVID TESTS:

     General Discussion...
     JR reported that the State is giving free COVID Test to COA's across the state. JR has filled out the application and COVID Tests will be available at the Town Hall.

5. Volunteer to Take Minute

   • - Members of the Council will rotate secretary duties i.e. Minutes.

6. Announcements:

7. Meeting Wrap-up

   • Next Meetings:
     1. Fri, Nov 4, at 10:00 AM "Council on Aging"
     2. Mon, Dec 12, at 10:00 AM "Council On Aging"
     3. Fri, Mar 17, at 10:00 AM "COA"
     4. Fri, Apr 21, at 10:00 AM "COA"
     5. Fri, May 19, at 10:00 AM "Council on Aging"
     6. Fri, May 19, at 10:00 AM "Council on Aging"
   • Publish Draft Minutes
     Meeting Closed at 11:30 AM.

The listing of matters is those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.

Minutes prepared by Susan Nagy - Member Next meeting November 4

Minutes approved on Friday, Nov 4, 2022

Posted to: Council on Aging.