PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — For the first time in its 47-year history, Aroostook Agency on Aging’s annual Meeting was conducted virtually Monday under the direction of Rev. Dr. Ken Phelps, president of the board.
The meeting, transmitted via Zoom and originating from Presque Isle, was changed from in-person to teleconference this year to ensure health and safety of all participants in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 30 persons from throughout the County attended, including six in person.
From the first signs of the Covid-19 pandemic, Aroostook Agency on Aging made its priority to protect the health and safety of its employees, volunteers and clients and to ensure program continuity for older adults and caregivers. Since March, the agency has been conducting business by phone, behind closed doors, behind masks in the field, with social distancing, and some still working from home. Preparations for the annual meeting also followed strict pandemic guidelines, with meeting and voting materials distributed well in advance, inviting participants to preregister for the event.
“For all of us, this has been a year like no other,” Phelps said as he opened the meeting.
“Our leadership team has had to create new ways to deliver our services, literally on the fly, in response to the pandemic. Leading a large non-profit in time of crises calls for high level executive ability, impressive interpersonal skills, exceptional creativity, and calmness in the midst of a storm. We thank Joy Barresi Saucier, executive director, for continuing to lead us through unchartered waters.”
In a review of the past year, Barresi Saucier said, “Although our offices were not open, our services never closed. We continued to provide information and assistance, personal support services in homes, Meals on Wheels throughout the County, caregiver support, wellness programming, Friendly Visitor phone calls, and many other services.”
Barresi Saucier said the agency responded to more than 1,400 requests for information and assistance, and delivered 9,134 meals during April, almost doubling of a typical pre-COVID monthly distribution. She said additional CARES Act funding and private donations from a variety of national, state and charitable organizations have allowed them to provide enhanced services through innovation and increased capacity to deliver services.
“As a result of this funding, you will soon see a new freezer in Fort Kent to expand frozen meal delivery to outlying communities in the St. John Valley. And, we are partnering with Catholic Charities to increase freezer storage in our central and southern regions. Funds are being used to support wellness programing, virtual gatherings, and recovery housing. And, to serve all of Aroostook, the Agency is developing an iPad lending library to allow continued connectivity for those most at risk of hospitalization and social isolation,” Barresi Saucier said.
Nominations for three new two-year positions on the Agency’s Board and four incumbent positions were proposed. As a result of mail-in voting, Martin Bernstein of Fort Kent; Theresa Dionne of Madawaska; and Alva King of Limestone were elected to the board to represent their regions; and, incumbent directors Stephen Poitras, Fort Fairfield; Albertine Soucy, Frenchville; Robert Meinders, Benedicta, and Barbara Robertson, New Limerick were re elected.
Phelps recognized outgoing director Lorraine Redwine of St. David, who is retiring after serving on the Agency Board since 2014.
Officers elected to serve through 2021 include: Rev. Phelps of Presque Isle as president; James Tweedie of Blaine as vice president; Mary Anne Buck of Mapleton as secretary; and Dr. Durward Huffman of Fort Fairfield as treasurer.
Agency leaders presented service awards to 31 employees recognizing more than 166 years of combined service to older adults and caregivers in northern Maine. They include, for 30 years of service: Julie Doody; 20 years: Peggy Theriault; 15 years: Tara Henderson and Adam Ouellette; and 10 years: Sheila Bumps, and Brenda McGillicuddy.
Four employees who retired during the past year were acknowledged, welcomed to a newly formed agency alumni group, and were encouraged to stay connected with the agency going forward. They include: Nola Berube, Personal Support Services, 17 years; Bernadette Gamblin, Personal Support Services, five years; Adolph “June” Gagnon, Meals on Wheels driver, 22 years; and Dorothy “Dottie” Sines, director of Nutrition and Adult Day Services, 35 years of service.
Phelps said, “We currently have 110 employees who are committed to improving lives of Aroostook older persons and persons with disabilities. You are the front lines of the Agency, the faces that make up our family. We appreciate your willingness to be flexible as we have taken an unexpected journey this year. Thank you for remaining committed to our mission.”
Regarding volunteers, he said, “To all of our dedicated volunteers, including the Board of Directors, we could not function without you. Thank you for the hours you contributed, whether it was delivering tasty, nutritious meals, helping consumers find their way through government red tape, or participating in the governance of this Agency. Our 240 volunteers are the lifeblood of our Agency.”
