Minutes
Council On Aging · from the Town's website · 3 pages · 30 KB
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MEETING MINUTES WINTHROP COUNCIL ON AGING Date: Thursday, August 14, 2025 Time: 10:30 AM Location: Robert A. DeLeo Senior Center 35 Harvard Street, Winthrop, MA 02152 Present: Matt Rodes, Director, Council on Aging Nicole Rizzotto, Assistant Director and Outreach Coordinator, Council on Aging Linda Cronin Kathy Driscoll Cynthia Huff Heather Martin Absent: Alice Haskell, Chair, Council on Aging Mary Vitale I. Call to Order The Meeting was called to order by Matt Rodes, Director, Council on Aging, at 10:30 AM. II. Approval of Minutes A Motion was made by Cynthia Huff and seconded by Linda Cronin to approve the Minutes of the July 10, 2025 Council on Aging Meeting. The Minutes were approved. III. Programs Report A. Matt Rodes distributed Rose Kaye ’ s updated report on upcoming Senior Center events and activities. B. Matt Rodes reported that there will be a cardio drumming demonstration in October, and if there is interest, a monthly class will be scheduled. C. Matt Rodes reported that Rose Kaye is working with various event performers to apply for Grants from the Winthrop Cultural Council. D. Matt Rodes reported that the “ Fall Fling ” sponsored by Bob DeLeo will be held on Tuesday, September 24, with the menu being Italian food from Sammy Carlo ’ s in East Boston. IV. Outreach Report Matt Rodes reported that Nicole Rizzotto continues to receive many medical escort ride requests. He reported that due to demand in van rides, we are no longer able to accommodate van rides that are out of the area, such as Salem. We are continuing to work on finding other solutions for this, and volunteer drivers are still available for medical rides that are out of our area. Regarding alternative transportation options, Linda Cronin reported that she had just recently learned that as of September 1, The Ride is making changes to their pick-up policies, and people may need to wait longer for their return rides. V. Director ’ s Report A. Matt Rodes reported that the leak in the lobby air conditioning unit has been fixed. B. Matt Rodes reported that there was a leak from the roof into both the Ladies and Men ’ s restrooms which resulted in falling ceiling tiles. The tiles will be replaced when the right tiles can be found. VI. Old Business A. Cynthia Huff reported that with respect to a previous discussion on whether the Winthrop ferry accepts Senior MBTA Passes, she recently took the ferry and was told that they do not accept Senior MBTA Passes although they will still give seniors the reduced fare. Tickets may be purchased online or on the ferry. B. Linda Cronin asked if there was any update on whether a session with a Comcast/Xfinity representative was still on the agenda. Matt Rodes reported that this was still in the works. C. Matt Rodes reported that with respect to the September 17 fundraiser at LaSiesta, they are hoping to have two more volunteers for this event. The fundraiser starts at 4:30 PM. Raffle tickets will be sold until 8:00 PM, and the drawing of the winners will be held after that, at LaSiesta. Raffle tickets will also be on sale here at the Senior Center next month. To date, we have two baskets for raffle prizes and are hoping to get some more. Kirsten Kilburn of the Friends of the Winthrop Council on Aging is handling this. There will also be a 50/50 raffle. D. Matt Rodes reported that the Friends of the Winthrop Council on Aging member who we were hoping to join the Council on Aging as a liaison between the two councils is not free at the present time to do this. He also reported that further discussion regarding electing a Vice Chair for the Council on Aging will be addressed at a future meeting. E. Matt Rodes reported that the Mystic Valley Elder Services SHINE Counselor is interested in doing a presentation at the Winthrop Senior Center regarding Medicare options prior to the upcoming Open Enrollment period. VII. New Business A. Matt Rodes reported that he and Judie VanKooiman were asked if they would be interested in being appointed to the Mystic Valley Elder Services Board. Matt ’ s term would be a three year term and Judie ’ s a one year term, effective November 1. A vote from the Council on Aging is required for this. A vote was taken to approve the appointment of Matt and Judie to the Mystic Valley Elder Services Board and was unanimously approved. B. Matt Rodes reported that we have hired a new SHINE Counselor to work along with our current Counselor. The plan is for the two Counselors to alternate weeks here at the Senior Center. C. Linda Cronin brought up a suggestion of perhaps having a Wine Night. There would be a small charge, and snacks and wine could be provided. Matt Rodes will talk to the Town Manager to see if this would be allowed at the Senior Center. If not, we could perhaps have it at an outside venue, i.e. Bespoke at Michael ’ s Mall, etc. VIII. Adjournment There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Linda Cronin and seconded by Heather Martin. The meeting was adjourned at 10:57 AM. Our next meeting will be on Thursday, September 11, 2025. Respectfully Submitted Kathy Driscoll, Secretary, Winthrop Council on Aging Adopted by the Board at the meeting of September 11, 2025 ___________________________________ Alice Haskell, Chair Winthrop Council on Aging