===PAGE 1=== Lunenburg Council on Aging Meeting Minutes January 8, 2019 CALL TO ORDER: 9:30 a.m. Present: Director Sue Doherty, Chairperson Pete Lincoln, Cheryl Moisan, Betty DiGiacomo, Diane Nowd, Jane Rabbitt, Deb Lincoln, Judy Tarbell, Sarah Grant, Barbara Brown. Absent: Jacquelyn Dwyer, Kevin McNally GUESTS: Town Manager Heather Lemieux, Selectman Jamie Toale, Eagle House Supporters Liaison Marie Burchfield, DPW Director Jack Rodriquenz, Skateboard park representatives Anthony Caiozzo, Griffin Caiozzo, Aidan Moore, Aiden Swift. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mr. Lincoln announced that anytime there is a delay at school, the COA meeting will be postponed to the third Tuesday of the month. MINUTES APPROVAL: Ms. DiGiacomo motioned to approve the minutes from the December 11, 2018 meeting, Ms. Grant seconded. On vote, motion carried unanimously. CURRENT BUSINESS: 1. Director’s Report:  Skateboard Park discussion: Ms. Doherty informed the board that at the last Board of Selectmen meeting the location of the proposed skateboard park was discussed among the Selectmen, the DPW, and Parks Commission. Mr. G. Caiozzo, Mr. Swift, and Mr. Moore gave a brief presentation of a topographical plan of the park, which addressed parking by relocating a section of the Kids Kingdom playground. The presenters suggested that most skateboarders would be dropped off by parents, or would come straight from the schools nearby. The presenters also claimed that most of the activity at the park would occur from 3:00 p.m. to dusk, implying their actions wouldn’t affect Eagle House patrons. Mr. Lincoln asked why the location between the T.C. Passios and Kids Kingdom was chosen. Presenters replied that Lunenburg Police Chief Jim Marino accepted that location in terms of visibility over a section of Marshall Park, which is more susceptible to graffiti. Mr. Swift added that other locations are too secluded, and the old skate park at Marshall Park is deteriorated, and that behind the school next to the turf field isn’t accessible to people who aren’t Lunenburg students. Mr. Moore stated that the Board of Selectmen decided the location next to the T.C. Passios is best and also suggested that more parking would be made available to the Eagle House when the park is finished. Mr. Lincoln informed the presenters that when the addition was put on the Eagle House, a septic mound was required, and when sewer came, and the mound was removed, the COA at the time presented a plan for a parking lot that never went through because they couldn’t raise the $300,000 the parking lot would cost, and there were no grants available at the time. Mr. A. Caiozzo opined that the park wouldn’t acerbate the parking situation at the Eagle House, and asked if patrons of the Eagle House ever park at the T.C. Passios, and pointed out that the park will be small, and is not designed to be a destination, but a resource for local skateboarders. Mr. Lincoln then asked if the presenters, who stated they are currently in the eighth grade, if they plan to continue to use the park throughout high school. Mr. Swift replied that there are high school students who drive to other parks outside of Lunenburg. Mr. A. Caiozzo said that he knew of people in their twenties and thirties who have expressed interest because they Unanimously approved by COA at Feb. 12, 2019 meeting ===PAGE 2=== skated in the past, and now their children are learning to skate. Mr. Lincoln asked if there would be classes, and commented that a skate park in Leominster was built years ago, and no one is using it now. Mr. A. Caiozzo replied that skateboarding will be recognized as an Olympic sport in 2020, and also said that kindergartners are being recruited now, and that there is collaboration with other parks and the YMCA to offer classes. Ms. Nowd asked if the park would be illuminated at night. Mr. Moore responded that the park would close at dusk, so no one should be there at night. Mr. Lincoln asked if the town would be held liable for any injuries incurred at the park. Ms. Lemieux responded that incidents at the park would be covered under the town’s current insurance policy. Mr. Lincoln asked if ownership of the park would be turned over to the town. Mr. Rodriquenz replied that the Park Commission would be responsible for the park upon its completion. Mr. Lincoln asked if the town would fund repairs to the park. Mr. A. Caiozzo responded that a “Friends” group will be established to cover the upkeep of the park. Ms. Doherty expressed her concerns about the use of the park when school is out for summer vacation, and the safety of its users who may be riding their skateboards to the park via Memorial Dr. Ms. Doherty also questioned whether the Eagle House bathrooms will be expected to be available to those using the skate park. Ms. Doherty said she supports the idea of relocating part of the playground in order to fit in more parking, and also asked about potential sidewalks down Memorial Dr. and whether the gate on Memorial Dr. that prevents access between the T.C. Passios and Memorial Dr. was due to come down. Ms. Lemieux responded that the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission has been tasked with doing a study on the area, and that sidewalks on Memorial Dr. will fall under the Commonwealth sponsored Complete Streets project. Mr. Toale pointed out that there are several projects happening simultaneously, and many meetings among abutters, including town employees, will be coming up to discuss what could work best for everyone. “Whoever puts the first shovel in the ground will need to know how other projects will be affected,” he said.  Bridges Together: Ms. Doherty reported that the conference call with Turkey Hill Middle School principal Heidi Champagne, fifth grade teacher Rhonda Connery, outreach coordinator Pauline Roy, and Ms. Doherty addressed the issues of the last session, and it was decided to host both the teachers and the volunteers to the same training session to assure each person understands their roles for the next session to begin in February.  FY20 Budget: Ms. Doherty reported she’ll be asking for $100 more this year to cover the rise in the Montachusett Opportunity Council donation amount. Ms. Rabbit moved to accept the proposed budget, Ms. DiGiacomo seconded. On vote, motion carried unanimously.  Capital Plan: Ms. Doherty asked Mr. Rodriquenz if her requests have been included in his proposal to the Capital Plan Committee. Mr. Rodriquenz replied that Ms. Doherty’s requests weren’t eligible for the capital plan because they weren’t over the $10,000 minimum. Ms. Doherty then asked about the reconfiguration of the roof above the main entrance to the Eagle House, and Mr. Rodriquenz replied that the request is being discussed.  Dementia Friendly Community: Ms. Rabbitt informed the board that the “Forget-Me-Not” is the designated symbol for dementia, and that Lunenburg students are working on designing logos for the Dementia Friendly Community concept. Ms. DiGiacomo commented that the ID cards, which let people know in a subtle way that the person they are dealing with has a memory problem, are very helpful. Ms. Rabbitt also reported that Paula Bertram will be representing the Lunenburg Planning Board on the Dementia Friendly Community focus group. ===PAGE 3===  Memory Café: Ms. Doherty reported the December café was well attended, despite the bad weather.  Building Report: Ms. Doherty reported that the DPW is working on getting quotes to paint the interior of the building. Ms. Lincoln asked about the Veterans Affairs Agent’s office moving out of the Eagle House. Ms. Doherty explained that since the office is not handicapped accessible, it will be used for additional storage.  Upcoming Events: Ms. Doherty reported an Eagle House Supporter fund raiser involving the 2018 World Series Trophy is in the works. The trophy might be at the Eagle House in early April. EAGLE HOUSE SUPPORTERS REPORT: Ms. Lincoln reported the Supporters are working on donation envelopes to supply area funeral homes. The finance report was tabled. The ping pong ball 50/50 raffle brought in $235. The Supporters are working on developing a Facebook page. Ms. Burchfield commented that holding a 50/50 leading up to special events works well. NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS: Ms. Doherty informed the board that AARP will not be coming to do taxes at the Eagle House this year, because they don’t have enough volunteers. BOARD COMMENT: Mr. Lincoln said he attended the Eagle House New Year’s Eve party and he enjoyed it. PUBLIC COMMENT Ms. Lemieux asked the board if they had a time preference concerning upcoming forums in regard to town business. The board agreed they would prefer meetings during the day. Mr. Toale announced that the Board of Selectmen would be discussing Town Meeting warrants, and marijuana prohibition. ADJOURNMENT At 10:55 a.m. Ms. DiGiacomo motioned to adjourn. Ms. Grant seconded. On vote, motion carried unanimously. UPCOMING MEETING SCHEDULE: Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. at the Eagle House.