All right, I'm going to confirm that a quorum is present and I'd entertain a motion to open. >> All those in favor? >> And then we'll do the roll call of voting members.
Uh I'll start today. Why not? Damon Jefferson here. Joe. >> Joe. >> Joe, are you here? Say your name. >> I'm deaf, too. Joseph, >> you have to understand I'm out of here.
>> I got it. >> Chris, >> Susan Gill, present. >> Jine Cunningham here. >> And our illustrious >> and supreme leader. >> Wow, that sounds really bad.
>> Nishing. Cynthia, >> our very own. >> All right. So, I would entertain a motion to approve the minutes as written. >> Second, >> any discussion?
>> All those in favor? >> All right. For the chairperson's report, I would like to remind everyone that cold is dangerous. So, if you're having trouble heating your house, please reach out to us or to
the police. It can be very deadly. Take care of yourself and be very careful during the holiday season and into the spring. Also, I wanted to let everyone know that the presentation to the select board has
been postponed till the 23rd. Um, Bill and I will be discussing that there's some pressure to not have it that evening and so we may move it again into January uh because he says it's too close to the holidays and both the board and everyone
is busy and would like to be doing other things. So, uh, it may be early January, but I will keep you all posted and as soon as we have settled it, I will let you know. >> Can I just also interrupt you for those in the public,
>> they should keep an eye on the agenda for the select board to know whether or not it will be >> posted. Yep. >> So, we've had Yes, it went out uh with a little confusion in the newsletter >> for which I apologize. >> That's my fault.
>> Yes, but I'm apologizing. Okay. And uh as far as it goes, I think that is all that is vital for me right now. I'll turn it over to you. >> All right. So, we're skipping the friends leaison cuz that's Jerry. >> Yep.
>> Um and she's not here today. Okay. So, just to recap some things that we have done recently. Our veterans lunch in November was a big success. We had about 50 people attending. Um, I did want to mention there was a a comment
made that uh by a member of the community that the event was not held on Veterans Day. We do not hold um any kind of events on holidays that were closed. So, we generally do an event for a holiday the week before. We did this one
the week after simply because we were trying to work on getting um a speaker to come who was booked the week of Veterans Day and before. So we were trying to get him the week after. So we had moved our date and then he couldn't make it. Um so we're trying to book that
particular person for our event in May. Um but just to be clear, we do not hold events on holidays because we're closed. Um, >> our Thanksgiving lunchon was a big success. Uh, we did have several open
seats. So, people have to call and reserve their spot for this event. >> We do ask that people call us to let us know if they can't make it or if they have to cancel or doctors, whatever. Uh, totally understand that someone might wake up that morning and not feel well.
Um, again, just a call to let us know that you won't be coming. Um, but I believe Janine, you might we had like seven empty seats, I think, throughout. So, we had the whole big room full and then we had tables in this room. Um, and in total, I think we had seven empty
seats on our reservation list. We were full. >> Um, so we're just asking people to please make a note that you've reserved a spot. If you can't make it, just call us and let us know. We do have a wait list for these events. So when people
can't make it, if they can just um >> Do you need something, Joe? I want to borrow one of those pens. My pen. >> Oh, you guys call to uh confirm or >> So we're working on So there's there's a lot of people to do that. You know, we're also expecting people to write down that
they, you know, write down the date. That's also why we do the calendar insert is so people can keep the calendar, mark on that what they've signed up for, write it in your own calendar. Um, we are working with adults. So, you know, the expectation is that if you sign up for something that
you're >> you're committed to it, you're going to come. The thing is is this this costs us a good amount of money as opposed to, you know, some of the other things that we do. Um, I'd say probably $35 a person, >> if not more. So, based on all the little
things that we add up. >> So, we are happy to do it. Um but just would like to have people if you can't make it please let us know just because I I did have two people come on. So someone two people had canled the week before I went
to the wait list said to those people okay there's a spot there's spots for you so they got to come but there were other people on the wait list that didn't get to come and then there were empty seats. It just we're trying our best. I think we're going to try to do phone calls probably today to people to
just a reminder. So, we have our holiday lunchon this Wednesday. Just a reminder, you're signed up for that. Please, you know, let us know if you cannot make it. >> That's why I don't sign up because I can't go. So, >> yeah. >> Yeah. I just received a letter from my
my eye physician. It's it was an apology. Uh but an apology that they were they were suggesting that no shows now are going to be built >> and
well not in the past but he Dr. Melie very interesting letter the way he got to the the final conclusion just just appealing to folks that his staff is well prepared for a full day
and when you create a gap destroys the continuity of the day and keeps another patient out of service >> right >> and basically you have the same problem but not for health but for socialization >> so we're finding that with uh so our
footare clinic. So, we have a pretty specific um list of people for the foot care clinic and they're, you know, 20-minute appointments, whatever it is that we've got them all stacked up and then when someone doesn't show, number one, that provider loses out, but number two, someone else who'd been waiting who
really wanted an appointment in in, you know, in November and had to wait until January. It's this whole thing. So um with that particular uh event because it's a paid to the provider not to us um
we are if someone does that we are having them prepay for their spot the next time that they book. >> Um >> probably charge them for the spot that they created with vacancy. just could you go out with an appealing level like you had just stated and and just say in
the future because it cost us to bring in the caterers a per hit charge. You will be build per hit charge unless >> I don't want to bill people like that. >> Um and I don't I mean I don't even want to charge them for the event. A lot of COAs will charge for their events and we
don't want to do that. Uh we have the funds. This particular event is paid for through our friends. It's just it's it's wasteful, >> you know. So, we're just looking for people to if you're going to commit, commit. Y >> uh and if you can't make it, it's okay. Just call us. Let us know. Um hopefully
people can call. I I find it hard to believe that seven people woke up that morning and didn't feel well. >> You know, I'm sure some of them had that, but you know, it's fine to call us and let us know that and we understand. And there's no way me calling someone that day is going there. You know,
>> yeah, people make plans. They have other things going on. make a suggestion Cindy. Um, >> you have some groups that are very large, especially Majong and sometimes, you know, they always come, but it may not be a bad idea just to have a little note out front, you know, where that
where I sit and say, if you have signed up for anything, please commit to coming. It's just a reminder, you know, it it doesn't really you're not really saying specifically who they are, but just in general, but anything that you've signed up, you should come. Well,
we have put it in the newsletter. That's our main uh communication tool with people. >> And we have put put notes in the newsletter to say, you know, if you sign up for something. >> I know they don't read it. >> So, what makes you think they're going to read a sign at the front desk? >> Oh, I would tell them, you know.
>> Well, the other thing is a lot of people that come to these major events, the Thanksgiving lunchon, the St. Patrick's Day, the holiday lunchon, that's the only thing they come to. I was going to say >> they're not here on a regular customer if you will, you know, right? >> And us saying something at the event doesn't help because they're not there
>> to hear it. The ones who need to hear it aren't here. >> So, do you are you finding you have repeat offenders? >> There are a couple. >> There are a couple. So, >> yeah. >> You know, politely. Yeah. Just to say just, you know, want to make sure. >> And I always say instead of saying I
don't like negatives, instead of saying don't forget, say please remember. >> Oh, that's what I do. Please remember, we'll be real grumpy if you don't. >> But we're not grumpy. We're just, you know, we just feel bad that someone else out >> because someone else is going to miss
out if you remember. >> And they did. I heard about it. >> Okay. So, for these events too, so for the Thanksgiving lunchon, we collected toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, things like that for the food pantry. Um, for
this event on Wednesday, we are collecting hats, gloves, mittens, things like that. New um new unused items that will go to a local homeless shelter. For our traveling chef in December and January, we are collecting warm socks again to go to a uh local homeless
shelter. When we have these events, we are trying to it's not it's not mandatory that people bring it. Um it's it's a donation. So, we're just asking if if you can to donate those items and we'll um pass those along. I just dropped off a whole bag from yesterday.
>> I'm sure they're going someplace good though. >> Um all right, so traveling chef, last week we had a carving station. We had uh turkey, roast beef, like a whole dinner. It was It was a good time. We also introduced a new class called Zenangle
uh with Kim Salith. It's a drawing method that uses I'm going to read what what she gave me that uses structured repetitive patterns to create beautiful images while promoting relaxation, focus and creativity. So the benefits of it she starts with like a breathing technique and she got some mindfulness
involved in it. It's not just the drawing piece of it. >> Um benefits include stress relief, improved concentration and a sense of calm. So we are having we're having a four-week session begin in January. The class is $20 a class. So, four
classes is $80. We're not sure if everyone is or anyone is going to sign up for that class. So, we're going to maybe re-evaluate it and maybe do it as a one time, not a four-week session like we do with our other art classes, but maybe like a one
once a month kind of a thing. Um, but we don't know if the cost is too steep either. So, we might have to reevaluate that with the instructor. So, we're we're working on that. >> Coffee is something we just >> I probably can. I have I have funds from them so I probably can,
>> you know, supplement it. >> There's enough interest. Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, it would have to be probably six people for me to spend the funds on it. But if I could half the cost, >> you know, and we pay half and they pay, >> you know, we can we can work on that. >> Yep.
>> Uh, coffee with a cop was last Wednesday and, uh, tech class with Kevin was last Thursday. So, those were two pretty well attended events. you were there at coffee with the cop. Um, we did mention the senior safe grant in our last newsletter. If Newbury seniors are
interested in a home assessment, that would be done by the fire department. Um, they'll change batteries in your smoke detectors. They'll check if you have or if you need carbon monoxide detectors. Um, people should call us here at the COA. We take your name, address, telephone number. After the
holidays, the fire department will be calling people. Right now, I have three people on the list. So, if anyone's interested, please call. Um, they'll go over other general um safety. If if they they see scatter rugs in your home, they might say to you, "Listen, I think the
chief said to me like 70% of their calls are medical calls, >> people who slip >> and yeah, it's generally it's a lift assist or fall or whatever." So, um they will give you ways to mitigate those kind of um hazards in your home.
but also the whole smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector thing, too. >> That's really important. >> So, if people are interested, the fire department got a grant for this. Please call us here and we'll um we'll pass your information on. Um the van has started up again. Our new driver Amy
started this past Thursday. We went to Market Basket. She will be picking people up for the holiday lunchon on Wednesday. The next two month uh next two Tuesdays of this month, she'll be doing Market Basket. The next two Thursdays are holidays, so she will not be um
obviously working then. Come January, we will return to Tuesdays to market basket Thursdays to um see comments and we'll take it from there. Great. >> Uh so upcoming events, we have our holiday lunchon this Wednesday. All our spots are taken. Um but again, I have a
wait list if anyone calls to cancel. The foot care clinic with Cheryl is on Monday, December 22nd, beginning at 8:30. Um those clinics are being held on the fourth Monday of every month. December and January I believe are full.
Um people can call us. The real cost of these uh visits is $75. Initially I had funds from the friends. So people will pay $30 for their visits. The friends is covering $45 for the first 15 visits. After that I have a
grant from HSPAN um that should get us through next year. So again the real cost of this visit is 75. Newbury residents are getting it for $30. They just need to call us um to schedule their appointment. January's traveling chef is Tuesday,
January 13th at noon. That's a chicken and rice bowl with veggies. Again, we're collecting new warm socks for that. Ping pong starts Thursday, January 8th. That's going to be 9 to 11 every Thursday, weather permitting, through April. I will tell you. So, I went to
the fieldhouse day to open for our stretch class. the um they sort of plowed, you know, there wasn't like a lot of snow to plow and they cleared the walkway, but even as I was walking there, all the wind up there is vicious >> and all that snow from the field was I
mean it was cleared and salted, but all that snow from the field is blowing over the walkway. So, um if that gets to be too much, please let me know. Even if we go there in the morning and and feel that it's a little too treacherous, we'll cancel the class that day. So,
this is part of the problem of having classes offsite from where we are. >> Um, DPW is awesome and they always clean it, but they can't be there to >> do it all the all day. So, um it's just difficult for us to know because we're not there. I'm there at like 8 in the
morning or quarter 8. >> As long as the heat is running, >> it is. It's all good. Um, baking with Bill is scheduled for Thursday, January 22nd. Um, time to clay will be back here on Wednesday, January
28th. We are making a little uh, it's a ceramic bowl. They're going to paint a pine cone on it. Little wintry kind of thing. They will take it back to their studio and fire it and then bring them back. That's a very popular class. Uh, our January foot clinic is on man
Monday, January 26th. Upcoming holidays that the office is closed is Thursday uh 12:25 Christmas Day, Thursday January 1st for New Year's Day, and Monday January 19th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Medicare open enrollment is over for the
year. But if people still want to speak to our Shine counselor, he is available year round. People just need to call us, give us a name, address, telephone number, email address. I reach out to Max. He calls people. If they need to meet in person, he can. um particularly if someone is turning 65 and they have
some questions um best to do that sooner than later. Don't wait till the month of your birthday um to do that. And then we are always in need of uh volunteers to drive for the meat program. >> Okay. I have a quick question like for Bill's baking class like
>> I don't want to take somebody's spot to sign up for that but I would I would like to go. >> You're welcome to sign up but I don't want to But you're still, even though you're serving on this committee, >> you're still a senior in town. You're
allowed to sign up. So, don't feel like you can't >> Yeah. >> uh sign up for things. >> There's a waiting list at this point. >> From the back. >> I'm I'm in the bottom of the waiting list. >> Oh, you're on the wait list. >> About nine names ahead of my head.
>> Yeah. So, his I will tell you his those programs are very popular. Yeah. >> Um, and if anyone else is interested in doing a little cooking demonstration, he also allows um, Ethan to record him from the IT department and then it goes on
the local cable access. So, if anyone's interested in doing demonstration, >> right? >> Um, >> I'm going to do one, but I haven't committed to a date yet. >> And if you're going to record me, I may change my mind. >> Well, you don't have to. You don't have to do the recording. Um, Bill allows us to do it. It's it's some extra content
for the 10 to put out there. Um there. >> But what is it just like how long is it? Is it an hour? >> Depends on what he's doing. When he's done pasta, it's been a little bit more. So he's made pasta from scratch in front of people. >> I said that takes a while. >> It takes a while. Yeah. So he'll do the mixture and then he'll run it through
the machine and then he'll have stuff already pre-made. So when he did the pasta making, he came with meatballs and tomato sauce and a salad and he didn't make it all. >> He No, he made the pasta in front of people >> and then he cooked the pasta and then served it. Um, another time when he made
meatballs, he brought he brought the salad. He had meatballs and sauce already made. He put the meatballs in the oven >> and then he served what he'd already made >> and then people could take home what was put in the oven. So, >> makes sense. >> Yeah. Kind of a Julia Child. >> I say the magic of television, if you
will. >> So, um, but they're very popular. So, whenever you see those, if you're interested, as soon as you get your newsletter, call us because they they fill up quick. We usually have about 16 people in those
um in those presentations. So, >> very good. >> Yep. >> All right. Anything new business that we should put on the agenda for the next meeting? Concerns, revelations. >> Revelations.
>> Well, this isn't new, but it's a question about the snow angels. Have you gotten any? >> Yes. So, um, I have contacted Justennia, who's over at Triton, >> to give her a list of people. I've had people add after the fact. She's doing
her best to get, um, volunteers. So, um, Plum Island again is always difficult, but she's working on it. >> Um, so I I want to say we have nine people right now on the list. Um, a whole lot of people still in need.
>> I'd have to look at the list, but I feel like she got I got I think she got them covered. I >> um we have a sign on the the east sign at the hall that's just wanted you know number
so >> I haven't heard from her. >> Okay is working. >> Okay. >> And that the kid that I told you about >> I don't think he would be capable of. >> Okay. No problem. Um, but we'll, you
know, we'll keep trying. Um, but people should have a plan. Again, if you have a snow angel, it's not, they're not coming to your house first. They have to get out of their own house first and they have to be able to safely get to your home. So, um, people do need to make sure that their driver, this one person
that we have is up this um, almost like a private road and then their driveway is really long. So all of that has to be cleared in order for the snow angel to be able to go do their walkway and stairs. >> Um, you know, so that person has to have a plow,
>> you know, service all set. So it's not for driveways. It's not, you know, it's not extensive like that. It's simply your walkway, your stairs. So >> if they can't safely get there, >> that's why I look on. >> All right. Uh, the next order of
business is establishing our next meeting date. As stated, the 19th is Martin Luther King Day. It will not be open. So, I was thinking we would push back to the 26th, but wanted to see what people had on
their agendas. >> January 26. That's what I'm proposing, but I'm waiting for technology to >> see if I can do the 26. >> You can. >> Yeah, I'm leaving the 29th for
>> All right. I would entertain a motion to set the next meeting date January 26 at 9:00 a.m. >> So move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Two. Double time. >> All those in favor? >> I. And happy holidays everyone. I would
entertain >> a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. Thank you all.