Okay. I call the um Council on Aging meeting to order on Monday, October 20th at 12:30 p.m. We'll do a roll call vote to start for attendance. >> Paula >> here. >> Carol Laughlin
>> here. Elaine >> here. Harvey >> Donna Boisey here. >> Do we have a quum? Okay, seeing none, we'll move on from public participation. Did everybody have a chance to review
September's minutes? >> Yes. >> Any uh changes or corrections? Then do I have a motion to accept the September minutes? Motion to accept the September minutes is written.
>> I second it. >> Okay. Any further discussion? And we'll have a vote to accept the September minutes. >> Yes. >> Carol Laughlin. >> Yes. >> Elaine, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. Unanimous.
Okay. Moving on to new business. Luca, anything new? >> Um, so what do we have new? be under old business. Old business. >> Anything new coming up for end of October?
>> Um, November. >> So, in October we have um Well, in November we have the WOW bus coming. >> Best. >> The Wow Best. >> Oh, wow. It does your um they check your blood pressure and they'll check your um
sugar and then um if you have any other medical questions, we'll they'll try to answer those or get you the answer. Um we meet and greet with um Alvin Allen, our new town planner. That'll be interesting. >> That Yeah, that'll be good. What date is
that? >> That is November 12th. We have um Easy Magic Girl coming at the magic show um on November 20th. That'll be fun. Um depending on how many people sign up, we might do it in the
auditorium because it'll be nice and bigger and she can go on stage. um presentation with the board of health nurse about sugars and fats and yeah >> the um students from Westfield Tech
Academy are back so they'll be here again on on um November 18th. They'll come once a month. We do I did send out a um reply to um seniors helping seniors up in the high school um and asked if
they had any IT people kids that would come here and like help Donna Boise >> with her Excel and her computer switch over. >> Well, they said they she's got a couple kids that would come here and walk something.
[Music] >> There's a few little things I need to look at that I don't understand. Mhm. >> And so they'll they'll uh they'll set you up with a person. Um so there's that. We have another painting um event coming.
Crafts with Annie. They have some um cool trips coming up. [Music] We're looking at the brown bag. We got the um brown bag saying that it was going to be November 24th. Remember they sent us a fly? Well, now Juliana told me
that she got a call saying it was the 10th. So, she's call I'm having her call them today, but just to double check what the date actually is. And then we'll make sure we do the bolo call the Friday before and then again that morning. Um, and that's pretty much it
for November. We Well, we have the um Nope, that's in October. So, yeah, we're good. So that's it for this. The gym wall is coming on Wednesday. So that should be up and that has a door. So
that'll be nice to have people. We have people come. There's two couples that come every morning and use it. >> Oh, good. I was waiting for the wall. >> Yeah, I was too. >> Yeah, I know. That's what everyone said. I know. So that'll be interesting. >> Are you going to have Don do anything
down there once the wall comes? Any kind of instruction? I talked to Donna about that. So, I just have to get something. Um, >> okay. Just and and maybe we'll >> go over the equipment and what you should be doing and what you're trying to work out. >> Yeah,
>> maybe like a instruction class like the pickle ball type of thing. >> And actually, the pickle ball is coming again in November. >> Actually, that was one of my is it in here? >> Well, that's was it November 3rd? I >> November 3rd at 10 to 12. He'll he'll
stay as long as you guys stay. Um >> that would be He was so good. >> He was very good. Um >> so he's coming back. >> I did have a a couple of things that my sister suggested um since we don't know how many people
we haven't seen many people out there. And she said you could have like an open court time that people could set up, you know, set something up on your computer, saying an open court for pickle ball and see how many people sign up and if they
sign up the way she said it, you know, you play or you can't play. It depends, you know. >> So there's I think there's an app that they have. Um >> she told me about the >> they have them at different pickle ball. >> Oh, she gave me the app, too. Yeah, we have to look into that because it a lot
>> it's called >> I don't want it to make make it too >> team. Yeah. >> Okay. >> But so far we haven't had any problems with >> timing or anything. They just come they play >> and people that come in >> played
a bunch of times. >> Yeah. >> But I mean how do you know >> we know because we know when someone's Well, you don't. Well, you want to play if you come there and all of a sudden you're standing. >> It's not that busy.
>> Well, you're stand You need four people. >> Can't play with two. >> You can, but four people is really the way the game goes. >> Oh, I thought you were worried about being, you know, the court's crowded and not I'm just worried about if I come
over there and there's I'm standing there and waiting to play and there's nobody there. But if you have an open court type of sign in >> so it has to so this thing what this team reach does you can go on there and you would be able to see if anyone was
signed up. >> She said this would work. She said start by going on open play f say from 10 to 12. She says whatever time you pick. She says then people show up at that time frame and you can see whether you have
four people to play and some people can wait. So the only way I know that there is because when I walk into the garage, the doors open for the Meals on Wheels and I see people playing. So I'm happy. >> Yeah. >> Well, I know I'm I'm sure people get
call other people play, right? >> But what if you don't have anybody to call and you want to play, so you're s standing there and there's nobody to play with. >> So you'd have to you'd have to have something like that. >> You'd have to have something >> to tell them that there's open play. >> Okay.
Okay, I'll look into it. See how that works. >> See how it works. I mean, it it's a suggestion. >> Yeah. No, it's a good one. >> If someone doesn't have a partner, say >> Yeah. >> They see it and they think, "Oh, I don't have anybody." But
>> need one person, somebody might run down and play. >> Yeah. >> Anybody else new business that you can think of? Okay, moving on. Update on classes. >> Good. And I think um we talked this morning and
>> Rebecca's coming back in Yep. November, the first week of November. >> Zumba. >> Her Zumba. >> And we think it might be at 10, which >> it's open. She wants it. >> Yeah. We're waiting to be here, but
it'll be Thursday morning either at 9:00 or 10. Yeah. >> So, other classes, um, the cardio fusion seems to be really full all the time. Yeah. >> You know, people really like that class and I think the others are doing okay.
>> Yeah. >> Just under a hundred people. >> That's that's excellent. >> We're doing good. >> And Brown bag, you mentioned you're checking on the date because the >> November change. >> Yeah. The 11th would be Veterans Day. So, >> right. So they might have
>> 29. >> Yeah. So that increased bail bag increased to 29. >> Yeah. >> What about dining room? >> Dining room's been full. Uh we've had our
like today there was two tables. Um >> it varies. Yeah. There's a trip that's down. >> Yeah. Like tomorrow they have a trip to Glendale. Something's going on. More people that are >> I think George and Barb are going to the
trip tomorrow. >> Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Monday, Friday. So, and then um Meals on Wheels. We got a new driver. Um Eric, he was a paramedic, firefighter.
South fire. He's looking for something to keep him around town. So, he's doing three, four days a week, >> probably. Yeah. >> Yeah. He's the one that dropped the
coffee. >> Oh, okay. >> He knows. >> Yeah. So, it's easy for him. >> Did he work at the high school? He's actually doing um part-time work there as an EMT >> for the um
for their sports. >> Yes, I think we mentioned that >> he's still doing that. >> We did. >> Yeah. >> In finances, Lisa. >> Good. We should be getting our second round of grant or formula grant anytime.
>> Not sure if it's who knows. Yeah. Yeah. >> Christmas Christmas might get pushed off. >> Yeah. >> But yeah. No, we should be all right. >> I haven't heard anything. >> Moving on to old business. Um want to
update. Well, there's not a lot to update, but Christmas party is going to be Tuesday, December 16th. >> Yep. >> And we are holding it at Tuckers. >> Yep. >> And um >> the charge for that. >> Yeah, that
>> I got to look it up. I I can't remember. Last year we went lower than year before. >> I think it was like 20 something >> and then I think we did either 15. >> Yeah, I think we went down. >> You have a choice, right?
>> You have your choice of chicken, fish, or um I think the pot roast. >> Yep. And then just got to start working on going around and doing the raffle. Yeah.
>> Anything else with old business? We talked about pickab the instructions coming. Um, anything else for old business? >> Pending. >> The meet and greet that we had was pretty well attended. Yeah, we had to go
in the other room. >> Yeah. >> Um, >> there was a lot of question, a lot of things. >> I went overboard on that. >> I think I think so. But if you look in my if you look in >> You only said it was going to be a 15 minute. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. But if you look at Facebook when I
posted it, I said thanking him for all the answering all the questions for everybody. And I said, and I'm sure you'll see some of us in January because remember January was the only month you could go and >> Yeah. get your house paid. But >> I think this next meet and greet will
also be well attended because I get you people are interested in meetings, right? You know, >> because even if you don't go to meetings, you you you watch them you watch the Zoom meetings on Zoom and you don't know who the people are if you don't like and I like it when we do it
because then you get to ask them questions, >> ask questions. A lot of people like that. >> Yeah. for one. >> Yeah. >> He liked the idea of coming in and learning something new that he didn't know. >> Right. Right. So hopefully he'll he'll have something and I'll and I'll let
them know that you know people like to ask questions can let us he's really good when we have our department heads meetings. um all all the different department heads when it comes to your turn to speak they he he gave us a outline of what's out there in South
what's being built what what land just got bought what's coming for a store or something like that so it's kind of interesting so that'll be good >> interesting >> yeah that kind of stuff >> anything else business
okay Lisa master plan So, the master plan um gave us a list of things to do. >> Yes. >> And I'm not going to reinvent the wheel.
Some of the stuff that they gave us, I sent back. They just sent more stuff this week. >> Oh, really? >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. They just I guess they don't think we're busy enough. Um, but
I did find out that this is not going to be part of our performance. So, we don't work for them. They can't have anything to do with our performance. So, that checked that out. Um this one it says counseling aging lead organization was
us and it says as ride sharing services become available in southa consider the opportunity to educate residents on ride sharing safety and app usage. Um I put completed on that because we got our second FRTA van. Um, we don't have any
control over the town getting another service in here to drive around and have other bus stops. That's not we're not going to have anything to do with that. >> That's that would be them. So, I I said this was completed, but the um education
part was ongoing because as we get new riders, like our second FRTA van is now going to Granville and Tala. So, we had one phone call last week for that. We knew it would probably take a few months to get that rolling. Um, and then um the
lady got sick and she canceled for her appointment, which was fine. Um, so that once that gets going up there, they're going to be gone all day because that's a if they go to Talin, that's like a 40 minute drive. And then depending on where they're taking that person to
Springfield to a doctor's appointment or something like that. So that band's going to be busy once they all figure out that it's there for them. Um so that one was pretty much done. The second thing that was on here create public forum with um to with the counciling on
aging and other boards and commissions to determine how other town entities can collaborate with senior center and engage in events with older adults. Um, I close that one out too because we do our meet and greet every month and we've
had every single department head and public figure in here for the town. Um, we have a few more to go, but that that's engaging our seniors and our last one was very educational um with the
assess new assessor um and then we have the um planning board coming up. So, as we get new people, we'll have more meet and greets. And if I do a meet and greet, um, if there's someone out there in the public eye that we think is going to be interesting and give us some
information about even, you know, politics or something, then we'll have them come in. So, that's pretty much I put completed slashon ongoing as we get more people coming in. Um and that was the only ma action items for um that
were we were in lead role in for the counseling on aging. Um I and I also said we also joined with the agricultural commission this summer and took our seniors on a bus trip to farms so that they could participate in the
farm day event um but at a much more convenient time and it was well um we our bus was kind of full when they did that and they did that um they took us to two farms a month from July, August,
September. Um the other support role, some of this like, and this is where it gets confusing because they have other boards on here like the um select board, um assist homeowners in getting mass save
assessments and implementing conservation measures on their homes to decrease the cost of heating and cooling. Even though that says it's under housing and it's for the select board to be the lead on that. All I put over here was this is actually already
being done during our fuel assistance program. If someone calls in and wants to um apply for fuel assistance and if they have a home then we give them the numbers so that they can contact um Mass Save and it does save you a lot of money
when they come in. Um, and we put it in the newsletter that's put in our newsletter every month. So, even though we weren't the lead on any of these, um, I had a comment for one, two, three, four, five, there's six of them and I
had a comment for five of them that are already in the process of being done or were already doing a part of it. So, if the select board want to send me an email telling me to do something else on that, then feel free, but I'm not reaching out and starting to do somebody
else's job. So, I already we already did ours to this degree of the two that said we we're in the lead. This is what they wanted us to do. So, we got that going. And then these ones were just kind of like you know support role of some of
these things here but um organize an oral history. This is with historical commission um to engage all citizens in the storytelling of South. Well most of our seniors that live here have been here their whole lives or a good portion of them. They have already gone to the
historical. Most of our seniors if they take these classes or do they do historical commission already does four or five of these big huge things in the auditorium every year um or or even at their museum when they hold things. It's
our seniors that are going to that not the 20 year. >> So that we're already part of that. >> You've you've already put in something in the newsletter regarding those too, >> right? and everything on our BU bulletin board. Whenever Pat Orarn has something for historical, she'll post a thing
going up there and our seniors all see it. Um, so again, I'm not going to reinvent the wheel. They're already doing their historical. They're the ones that are really good about that. I'm not going to go try and put a historical thing together when it's already there.
And Jim Putnham does some radio broadcasting thing and he's always putting on educational again that's on channel 15. It's on other channels. Who do you think's watching that? It's the seniors, not the 20 year olds. So th those things are
already kind of like being done by other groups. And if they want help or they want to come in here and and put something on here, then they can um give me a call and reach out and we'll be more than happy to help them do something. But other than that, I mean,
we're >> five out of six is pretty good. >> Yeah. I mean, >> what else do they want? >> What else was the other one? Establish relations between local housing, nonprofit organizations as Habitat for Humanity, Hometown Heroes, Wayfinders.
Well, let me tell you something. I dealt with wayfinders this past three months trying to get somebody that was going to be homeless that comes here often. And that was not easy task to help her with that. It's it's you go on their website,
it's not easy to follow. It doesn't work. You click on this, it doesn't bring you to where you need to be. And I ended up having to tell her, "You need to go sit with someone from Wayfinders face to face in because you're you're going to be homeless in like 10 days and you need you don't have that time frame.
>> Can't do that on a computer. No, you have to do >> No. And wait for someone to get back to you three weeks from now. And and she had a core order. So, she had a lot going on. And so, we we filled out the paperwork. We we did everything. We sent it in, gave her u we wrote her a letter.
Um, and she finally got housing like at the last minute she got they found her housing which was a godsend and it's not far so she could still come here. Um, so she's happy. Um, but again, we don't do housing. We we can assist a senior on on
on getting paperwork done and doing that, but I don't I don't run wayfinders or Habitat for Humanity. I don't even know their program. You know, I had to try to learn wayfinders and we did get in and do some of it, but then we got to
a point where it doesn't allow you anymore and you have to go sit with somebody. So, again, that one, I mean, it's great for them to say that, but until they sit in front of the computer and try and do it, it ain't happening. It's not an easy task. Um
>> like our the job here is just advising them that these places are >> well we do and we do >> and that's what we you do. >> Yeah. And then since she went through that we did we had the we had the um email we have the link to the um page we have um a couple of the people's names
and numbers. Um so again that one >> Yeah. >> Um what's the other one? after school hangout space that is safely walkable from school or walk working with the local businesses that it doesn't fall
under the counseling on aging and our seniors are not going to be walking up to summer house. They'll drive there and get out and have a nice game, but they're not going to walk from here to there. Um the ones that come here are not doing that. Um so that's under the
select board. So, I don't know if that's like engaging with school age residents and seniors and exploring program through the school district and other opportunities. I do have the seniors for um seniors helping seniors. They're going to be doing the snow plowing
shoveling that this year right there. >> There's our engagement. They're going to be coming in and helping you with the it. >> Um but other than that, there's really not a lot out there. And even that is only with their histo um what's the honor society.
>> It's not the whole grade. >> No, I know. >> Of 12th grade or 11th grade. It's only the 10 or 12 kids in that little group. >> Do some kind of community service. >> Exactly. And I get that. So, you know, that's even that we're limited on what
we do. But again, we already do something. If the select board because they're the lead on that, if they want to ask us to do something else with them, >> know what we do. >> Yeah. >> Period. >> Could be. Could be. Um but if they have
a suggestion that they want to do something and they want us to jump in on it and we it's something that we can do, they can come up with some suggestions. >> You know, in the past we have provided our bus has driven seniors up to the place.
We've done that >> when they have the play >> when they have the high school. >> That's a high school play in the fall and spring. We've done that. >> We've had the um chorus come in >> one on the Christmas party and we had
them come in on another function. So, I mean, we do interact with them where we can, >> right? >> We didn't get them. Yeah, we tried. We didn't get them. It was timing was not right. Yeah. I think they were going somewhere. >> They usually Yeah. Unfortunately, they
go to New York right around that time. >> Yep. And they didn't want to commit to something that they couldn't like follow through. But other than that, and then there's this one page where I I don't know. I'll have to sit with Diane and try to figure out what she wants me to do. I already closed out our two things
and it says, "What year? From year 1 to 12, when are you going to get any of this done?" I'm pretty done. I'm done. Um, I mean, I'm trying to be nice about it. >> Stuff is just It's just on. It's continually. >> No, cuz these seniors are going to be
gone and new seniors are going to come and we'll have to do the whole program all over again. >> And you'll continue, you know, you'll do the meet and greets will just continue and over the year, you know, this one will come back in. But there'll be a new
>> because you have two seniors behind it. >> Exactly. >> Yeah. So, we're we're rotating all the time. So, I I guess if they're just waiting for me to fill out this one, then I just need her to come and tell me where am I putting it. You want it all under your one. You want one item under
I only have two items that we're lead on. So, we're probably pretty much done. Completed those. And yeah, I I don't know what else to say. I
>> anybody else? >> That's pretty good. These these ones, the new ones I got today and it's just another um version of like land use housing. Again, housing we have no control over.
There's no housing in in South for seniors unless you're a veteran. You you get bopped up to the list for um depot court. Other than that, you got there's 200 people in line waiting on a waiting list. Forget it. Um people the seniors
that are already in American in in the um cottages, they went up on their right supposedly a lot for some of them and they're already failing to get out. >> When they're talking about the waiting list, are they talking about
a resident of Southwick or are they talking about any senior >> that we have to be involved? Oh, so I I don't know. >> That's that's that's a question. Are we >> South has diverse housing types and designs to accommodate various ages and income levels, promoting sustainable
building materials and methods, creating a community where residents can grow and live for a lifetime. >> They keep on saying res. We're talking about the people that actually live in town. Yeah. That that we have to work the hardest for. >> Right. Exactly. Yeah. That's all that's
basically all we're working for is the residents here. >> Yes. State residents. >> Yeah. But again, this is this is, you know, visions and strategies and action plans for housing >> in those there's people waiting in line
are not all residents in line waiting. There's seniors from their other towns waiting in line. >> Yes. Right. That is >> on those lists. >> Yes. So the only two housing that I know of is People and Aaron Circle.
>> I don't count American in because you have to be rich to be there or had to have had you have to pay for it yourself. >> No, it's not affordable at all. So that's not housing. Other than that, those two places, South does not have
any housing whatsoever for South residents, right? There's nothing that says you can't stay in your home anymore. There's nowhere here for you to go and get help. There's nowhere because those two places are so small and they're already booked solid. Um, so I
that one always cracks me up when they put this in there. Well, if you're so gungho about finding housing, then why isn't conservation and >> all them? And why isn't someone buying land for that and go get a grant and build a complex for the seniors that
way? I mean, if you're so gungho about helping seniors go somewhere, >> otherwise we have to figure out what we do is how do we help you be able to stay in your home? >> 2040. That's not very >> That's pretty close. >> Look,
>> 2040. You think about it. We're already in 2025, so right, you know, it's not far away. >> No. >> No. So I mean >> so how are you going to get something on that aspect housing in 20 20 years less than 20 years
>> unless someone gives us land or we buy land >> at somewhere >> that's not our responsibility not the senior center >> no not at all our job is that if you want if you're a senior and you come here and you our job is to help you try to find the easiest way what we can help
you with to keep you in your home. That's it. And if you come to me and ask me, I have nowhere to live. I'm gonna be homeless. Then I give you a list of the wayfinders and all them happy things and you have to go sit with them because that's what they're doing. They have all
the the documentation and the fees and all that. Um, and how much money they can get for you and this that and the other thing. So yeah, I mean land use that's not us, you know. So I I think some of this
doesn't doesn't really apply for us. Um it's more of that's like a select board list if you ask me. They want to do something and then want to ask us to come in and give our opinion. That's fine, but I I don't need another job.
Paula keeps me busy right now. >> I'm too busy. I mean, no, I don't have a problem doing any of the paperwork and giving it back to them, but some of this stuff is like beyond us. >> Yeah. >> We have no control over land or money or
housing building, but >> Yeah. Right. Yeah. >> Okay. Anybody have anything else? If not, do I have a motion to adjurnn?
>> Make the motion to adjurnn. Any discussion? Okay. Motion to adjourn. Roll call. Paula, >> yes. Carol, >> yes. Yes. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Our meetings adjourned at 103