Otis Council on Aging Board Meeting
October 9, 2023
The meeting was called to order at 9:15 am. By Eila Bell.
Present: Eila Bell, Kendra Rybacki, Evelyn Loring, Diane Dyer, Dedra Loring, Elsie DeVoti, Nancy Kreis, Jane Bernasconi.
Minutes from May 31, 2023 meeting read and accepted as written.
The Treasurer’s report was read and accepted. Balance is in synch with Berkshire Bank report. The Cranberry Bog trip was cancelled and refunds were sent out to all that had paid. Checks were written and mailed out.
There are no updates on the cabinets or the patio. Eila will inquire with the town to get any updates.
Kendra informed everyone on the new room here at the town hall that will be available for the COA’s use. It is the building inspector’s room. As soon as the room is cleaned out it will be available.
Diane and Elsie updated everyone on the upcoming trips. Eila updated us on the paint and sip which is tentatively scheduled for January 20, 2024. A $150.00 deposit is required to hold our spot. She requires at least 10 people and no more than 25. The cost is $25.00 per person. Kendra will look into a grant from the cultural council to help with the cost of the paint and sip. Everyone agreed to the $150.00 deposit for the paint and sip.
Foot nurse update. Jane is retiring at the end of the year and the Otis COA has been looking for a replacement. Eila found Foot Care by nurses out of Greenfield – they have an office in Lee. The charge for a nurse to come and cut nails would be $110.00 per hour $550.00 for the day. The Board decided to sign a six month contract with the new foot nurse company. The new company will start in January 2024. We will send out a cover letter to Otis senior residents to let them know of the upcoming changes. The nurse can do two patients and hour. The tentative cost for an Otis senior will be $30.00 and the Otis COA cost will tentatively be $25.00.
The COA Board has unanimously decided to get Jane a retirement gift and to invite her to our Christmas luncheon – the COA will cover the cost of the luncheon.
The Board unanimously decided to have no pot luck in November due to the holiday and Thanksgiving luncheon at the Knox Trail Inn. We currently have 59 signed up for the Thanksgiving luncheon.
The COA will be open on November 22nd from 9 am to noon.
We are discussing a Veteran’s Day celebration for our Vets here in Otis. We spoke with Tom Soules to ask him his advice on what we could do. He is meeting with the Farmington River School to see if they can hold a pancake breakfast to honor our Vets. The Otis COA would like to get a gift for the Vets – we spoke of the possibility of a Big Y gift card or a little care package.
Eila asked everyone about providing food for the COA. She was thinking that we could buy food and have it available in the freezer. Everyone enjoys bringing something in to share.
Eila asked if anyone wanted to do the trunk or treat here in Otis. There was not anyone who wanted to do it.
Elsie addressed the Board and said after the Maine trip she realized that the medical bag needs to be replaced. Kendra volunteered to look for a new one. She will speak with the fire department and EMT’s here in Otis to get some advice on a new one.
Eila addressed the Board about the Outreach Position salary. There was a unanimous vote to increase her pay by $80.00 a week.
The Meeting was adjourned at 10:40 am.