WESTFIELD – Although the Senior Center facility was closed due to snow on Monday, the Council On Aging Board held its monthly meeting as planned at 1 p.m. in City Hall.
James Liptak, board chair, gave a report on Hilltown Valley Elder Services, a non-profit agency which works with Councils on Aging in 24 communities in Hampden and Hampshire counties. Liptak said a recent survey by the agency showed that 75 to 80% of seniors do not want vegetarian meals. The Easthampton congregate meal site closed due to low numbers, and the Huntington site closed due to damage at Stanton Hall. Southampton is currently seeking a new Council on Aging director. He said Highland Valley has hired a new nutritionist, who will be updating the meal delivery handbook.
Council on Aging Board Barbara Taylor, Elizabeth Boucher, City Council liaison Ralph J. Figy, John Dr. Leary, Jr., Alice Dawicki, James V. Liptak, Cynthia Anderson, and COA Executive Director Tina Gorman.
Liptak said Highland Valley recently received a $20,000 dementia grant, and will be setting up meetings at Councils on Aging and health fairs, and also will be presenting a Virtual Dementia Tour at upcoming meetings. They have also bought 350 sets of headphones for a program called “Alive Inside” for people with dementia. The program has shown to help some people communicate through music of their era. Liptak said some headphones will be made available to the Senior Center. He said Highland Valley has requested a meeting in Westfield in April.
In her report, Council on Aging Executive Director Tina Gorman said she has been working on the special events calendar for the year. She said she has tried to have one special event a month, and has scheduled some on evenings and weekends.
Gorman said upcoming events include crooner Dave Colucci for a Valentine’s Day luncheon this Thursday, February 16, and two Sunday programs; Noah Lis on Mother’s Day, and Cory and the Knightsmen on Father’s Day. Gorman said they will also have several Westfield Cultural Council-funded programs in the coming year, including a Steve Henderson dinner theatre luncheon.
Gorman brought a CDBG block grant application to the board for approval. She said the Council on Aging competes with other social service agencies in the community for limited block grant funds, which comprise only 15% of the total CDBG grant for Westfield. The COA applies for a grant for its Volunteer Companion Program, which helps frail homebound adults with transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, errands, companionship, and hazardous weather check-ups. Gorman said there are 200 clients in the Companion Program.
She said this year they have requested $5,000 to provide lock boxes for some of the clients in the program who are on their own in their homes, in order for emergency personnel to reach them if they are unable to come to the door. However, she said at a recent public hearing, CDBG applicants were told there may not be as much funding available this year as in the past.
Gorman also asked for approval from the board for use of the Senior Center by Westfield on Weekends (WOW) for three Cabaret events and two Dickens Days events this year. Gorman said she requested that 25% of the tickets be discounted for COA members. She said WOW asked for permission to serve wine and champagne at the dinners which Gorman took to the Law Department, who said as long as they get necessary permits. The mayor said he would sign off on it with approval by the board, according to Gorman.
Treasurer Barbara Taylor said her concern was for the limited COA staff having to go to programs on evenings and weekends, as well as on weekdays. Gorman said she has limited the number of events to five for the year for that reason. She said WOW would do all the publicity and marketing, and the information would also be in the COA newsletter. WOW will also have the events catered, and use the kitchen for reheating and refrigeration only. Gorman said the programs are well attended and draw an eclectic group, including a lot of seniors. The board voted to approve unanimously.
Gorman then announced that Monday was Alice Dawicki’s last meeting, after serving nine years on the Council on Aging board. She thanked her for her service. Dawicki said she would be seeing them all.
