President John Remias called the regular meeting of the Residents’ Council [the Council] to order at 3:00 pm on Tuesday September 5, 2023. Attendance included 90 association members; all but two council members; Board of Directors members, Pat Kasuda and Stephen Schimpff and Director Emeritus, Naomi McAfee; Don Grove, Charlestown Executive Director; Gladstone James, Director of Finance; and Jason Dennis, Assistant Director of General Services.

The Council observed a moment of silence for those who have passed away.

Previously distributed minutes of the August meeting of the Residents’ Council meeting were approved as presented.

Mission Moment – Friends Helping Friends

Adrienne and Bill Croll were really looking forward to the Annual Glen Burnie Rotary Crab Feast in August. Even though Bill uses a wheelchair, Adrienne was sure she could push his wheelchair to the bus. Pat Kasuda was coordinating the event and she called transportation to be sure that the bus would handle Bill’s wheelchair. All Adrienne would have to do is push Bill’s chair to the reserved table at Kurtz’ Beach.

However, Adrienne had a health event and was told by her doctor that she could not push a wheelchair. They both still wanted to attend the crab feast! Adrienne called Pat to see if there was anyone on the reservation list that might be willing to help them. Pat suggested calling Bob Jones. Soon Adrienne called Pat to inform her that Bob was willing to push the wheelchair. Therefore, the Croll’s recommend Bob Jones for a Mission Moment and they all can happily enjoy the crab feast.

This collaboration certainly demonstrates respect and caring, responsibility, diversity, excellence and teamwork.

If you are aware of residents helping other residents in a way that promotes Harmonious Community Living, let the Mission Moment Committee know. Just send your recommendation to Phyl Lansing at phyllansing5@gmail.com or CR403.

Executive Team Reports

John Remias, President

A SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Until a few weeks ago, I had never heard of the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. A little research tells me that this Hall of Fame is an annual event in which senior citizens of Maryland are recognized and honored for their volunteer, civic and humanitarian contributions to the State of Maryland. Senior citizens 65 years of age or older who currently reside in Maryland are eligible for nomination. Now, one of our own is about to be inducted into this prestigious group. In this month’s Sunburst (hold up the copy) is the detail of Hope Tillman’s nomination to the Hall as prepared by Pat Kasuda (thank you, Pat).

Many of us have experienced Hope’s insatiable desire to help in so many ways – computer issues, internet issues, genealogy issues, Zoom setups and so many more. Our Resident’s Council, staff and so many of us have been, and no doubt will be, beneficiaries of YOUR help. Thank you!!

Hope, please stand up and receive our appreciation and congratulations on this honor that you will receive on October 19^th. ROUND OF APPLAUSE!!

TRANSITIONS

This year we have appointed our seven newly elected Council members and two alternates to lead, or co-lead seven of our committees. Our alternates are filling the positions of two of last year’s Council members that had to resign for medical issues. SO, there is a lot of TRANSITION going on as we change leadership positions on more than half of our committees. I have asked our new Council members to say a few words about their transition as they have met with their predecessors. This is one way for them to ‘hit the ground running’ as they carry forward on-going projects or issues and bring to their committees’ new approaches and ideas as time goes on.

JOIN US!!

My theme for this year is PARTNERSHIP! The partnership that I want to focus on right now is for you, for those of you here in the auditorium and those of you watching us on TV, to JOIN US on our committees. This is the venue where you can best be heard by both other residents AND our staff liaisons. (Hold up a copy of our Res Council brochure – copies at the refreshment table). In this brochure you will find out what each committee is tasked to do and to see the schedule of our meetings. Speaking of committee staff liaisons, let me give a shoutout to all of them for taking time away from their full-time jobs and in fact joining us as part of those jobs. We thank them!

Diana Dunaway, Treasurer

July 31, 2023 Balance                                                             $ 8,463.96

Revenue – from Dues Campaign                                            $      96.99

Expenses                                                                                 $     273.58

August 31, 2023 Balance                                                       $8,287.37

            August 2023 Revenue

            Dues                                                                            $      42.00

            Lost check                                                                   $      54.99

            August 2023 Expenses

            Transition materials (badges, certificates)                 $    218.59

            Replacement check                                                    $      54.99                 

Committee Reports

Benevolent Care, Carol Kefford

September is Benevolent Care Month and the committee will be involved in many activities including:

• A donor reception for Individuals who contribute $300.00 or more annually.
• Distribution of a letter and pledge card to all resident cubbies. Residents who donate will receive a ribbon for their name tags and a card to hang on their door to show their support.

On September 11 the first “Get the Scoop” ice cream social will be held to inform residents about the Benevolent Care Fund and, in particular, planned/legacy giving. The Gala will be held on September 22. It is the primary fundraiser this year.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 27 at 2:00 in Charlestown Square RM-116.

Communications, David Elder and Larry Taylor, Co-chairs

John already talked about Hope Tillman’s induction.  Dave Elder and I also appreciate everything she does for our committee. She does so much work for us throughout the whole year. One of the main things she’s also working on is the continuing care communications survey that will give those residents a chance to comment. The survey has been shortened quite a bit so we can move faster through each person. Currently, that is going to take place in September. It is proposed to take place on the 26th and the 29^th between 9:30 and 11:00.  Rob Hunter and Denise Puckett will provide us with a list of residents to visit each day, promoting the activity in the monthly schedules. But the only way this can happen is if we get your support. We need resident volunteers to help us do this. If anybody would like to volunteer for this, please contact Hope.

The ongoing WIFI issues include:

• Persistent Wi-FiWi-Fi is a family of wireless network protocols based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, which are commonly used for wireless networking and allow nearby devices to exchange data by radio waves. Wireless local area networks (WLAN) are widely used in the world to link laptop computers, tablet co... READ MORE System and equipment outages caused by Power outages.
• Status of UPSAn uninterruptible power supply or uninterruptible power source (UPS) is an electrical apparatus that provides emergency power to a load when the input power source fails. It is supposed to kick in when there is a power outage. A UPS is typically used to protect hardware such as computers, data cent... READ MORE systems to keep power to the NetworkA network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams. See also... READ MORE Equipment.
• Status of Dining Services Wi-Fi tablets not working
• Resident use of Voice-over Wi-Fi. Note there are instructions in MyErickson on how to enable it.
• Wi-Fi Calling on Android and Apple Phones.

Regarding ComcastThe Charlestown Comcast bulk service contract provides basic HD television in the apartments. Address your concerns to General Services. See more information about apartment television and television connections. READ MORE/Xfinity, Gregory Johnson is still trying to get Comcast to resolve our Comcast issues and Tom Moore is still trying to get our 972 problems resolved.

The next meeting of the Communications Committee will be Monday, September 25^th at 2 PM by ZOOM preceded by the Website Committee ZOOM Meeting at 1 PM.

Conservation, Mark Buehlman

Good afternoon, my name is Mark Buehlman and I’m once again Chair of the Conservation Committee.

We did not meet in August, but the Committee stayed active with several ongoing projects.

At the last Resident Council meeting I introduced a proposed statement on sustainability to be formally included in the Council Policy and Procedures Manual. That statement was approved by the Council at the August Work Session.

At the August meeting, I mentioned that the Charlestown Senior Leadership Team agreed to start three Sustainability Working Teams, focusing on sustainable grounds, sustainable dining, and sustainable transportation at Charlestown. We are currently meeting with several Council Committees, familiarizing them with the Working Teams, and finalizing the Team membership. The Teams will be complete by the end of September and will begin work in early October.

Marty Tewksbury, who heads our recycling sub-committee, and his team completed modifying the recycling boards. These boards will circulate among the dining venues and are currently outside the Shortline. The new boards were in response to residents’ requests for better explanations on why some items can be recycled, and others can’t.

We are working on a couple of presentations for Fall. On Tuesday, October 17, at 1:00 p.m., in the Auditorium the Conservation Committee along with the Nature Trail Club, is making a presentation entitled “Erosion and Runoff Control at Charlestown, a Raindrops Journey to the Chesapeake Bay”. It’s free and everyone is invited. On Wednesday, November 1, at 1:00 p.m. in the Auditorium, there will be an ELLIC class titled “Sustainable Living and Recycling at Charlestown” presented by Marty Tewksbury and me. I will give a short introduction on sustainability and provide practical tips for residents and Marty will focus on the more problematic recycling items.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. in Brookside Classroom 1.

Dining, Peggy Carey and Stephanie Leddy, Co-Chairs

Peggy Carey & Stephanie Leddy, the new Co-Chairs introduced themselves.

No meeting was held in August, but the co-chairs met with Mary Lee Seaman, the previous chair who explained the structure of the committee. Peggy and Stephanie will speak with the current chairs of the internal committees to see if they are interested in retaining their chair. Mark Buehlman, Sustainability, will speak at our September 18th meeting to explain its purpose and recruit a member for Dining Sustainability. Stephanie will meet with Ken Zahn on Friday, September 15th to discuss items for the September 18th meeting.

The next meeting is Monday, September 18, 2023, in Charlestown Square 116 at 1:30 pm

Finance, John Yoder

5. The Finance Committee met on September 29, 2023, at 9:00 AM in Brookside Classroom 1.
6. Mark Buehlman presented an overview of new sustainability initiative being pursued in cooperation between Residents’ Council and the Administration. Working Groups are being formed around that draw from Council Committees. Finance was invited to place a representative on each of three WGs. We are pleased that the following individuals have volunteered to be members of the working groups as follows: Transportation: Merci Izquierdo-Whitaker, Dining: Pat Kasuda and Grounds: Ron DeAbreu.
7. Net Operating Income (operating revenue minus expense) remains strong. YTD (July) over $2.5 m above budget
8. Billed occupancy YTD as of July 31, 2023:
   94. Independent Living 3%
   95. Continuing Care 2%
9. YTD as of July 31 there have been 115 settlements (7 above budget) and 96 releases (2 under budget) resulting in a net gain, overall, of 9 .
10. Twelve residents were receiving Benevolent Care funds at the end of July; down one from 13 at the end of June.

Grounds, Dick Voelkel

There was no Grounds committee meeting in August.
The September meeting agenda will include deer control update, new fence along Erickson Way, revisiting idea of a secure gate in the fence and introducing the sustainability plans.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 26 at 11:00 in Brookside Classroom 1.

Health Services, Jean Tribulski and Connie Cooney, Co-Chairs

There was no meeting in August because of vacations but we have scheduled the next Medication Disposal event for Monday, October 16 from 1-3 pm at both Cross Creek and Fireside lobbies. We ask that you not leave medications at other times at unattended tables. We have officers from both our Security and the Baltimore County Police at the designated times to ensure the meds are not picked up by any passerby in a very public place.

Our next meeting is Tuesday, September 12, 2023, in Brookside Classroom 2. We will be introducing the new Director of Nursing, Mohamed Jalloh.

Housekeeping, Sebastian Petix

The Housekeeping Committee did not meet in August although I want to make it clear that we work every month and sometimes every day to keep our facilities here neat and clean and attractive. Our committee at this point numbers 20 people, which is a good number and they’re working constantly. And we’re also very grateful to those of you who do report on your own through CCIworkorders@erickson.com. We are going to need new committee members for Edgewood, Fountain Hill/New Caroll, Herbert’s Run 1,2, Maple Terrace 1,2,  and St. Charles 4,5,6. These buildings don’t have any committee members right now. If you’re living in one of these buildings we do need your help. If you can provide that help, please be in touch with me. If you know someone else and you’re living in that building, or if you don’t live in those buildings, but would like to cover those buildings just let me know. It’s actually a continuation of our See Something, Say Something campaign and we started last year. We’re very grateful to Michelle Fenn who is in management for housekeeping. And because she has started the process of inviting us to attend what they’re called walk-abouts, I can publish that. She just sent it to me in an email and I don’t have the dates, but I’ll get that out. I’m hoping to repeat this information in the next Sunburst and perhaps in that same article. I can include the dates of the walkabouts when you’re invited to join inspectors and, take a look at what they do.

Our next meeting is on September,18 in Brookside classroom one.

Legislative/Political, Paulette Hammond and Art Johnson, Co-Chairs

No meeting of the committee was held in August

At our next meeting, we will review the status of issues that have carried over from the committee’s July meeting (including a court case challenging the potential loss of State retirees’ prescription drug benefits and a fall in-person meet and greet with our county and state representatives) and we will begin planning the committee’s agenda for the next 12 months (such as voter registration,  working with the League of Women Voters and tracking state legislation in cooperation with MaCCRA).

The committee also will participate with the Sustainability Working Teams – Transportation Team. We encourage you to join us in the discussion, planning, and support of the activities of the committee.

Our next meeting will be Wednesday, September 13 at 10 a.m. in Brookside classroom #

Maintenance and Engineering, Jerry Donaldson

The Maintenance and Engineering Committee is currently tracking 10 Projects. The General Services reported that all 10 current projects are proceeding normally with no major problems. Some of the specifics associated with these projects are:

1. Renovations for Herbert’s Run are progressing as scheduled and will finish by October of this year.
2. Signs made for the interior signage updating project have some errors. These errors are currently being corrected.
3. Work is continuing on the repair of the Bridge A/C Units. The completion date is not yet available.
4. Caton Ridge building renovations are progressing on schedule to be completed this fall.
5. A replacement elevator for Chapel Court will be done later this year.
6. The repair project for the St. Charles to Harborview Bridge support washout still awaits County approval.
7. The wooden walking bridge on the trail will be moved and rebuilt.
8. The roadway wood guard rails will be replaced this calendar
9. Still need to solve the high noise level for an HVAC unit at Chapel The noisy A/C unit in Courtyard Crossing will have additional testing.
10. Dust in apartments and hallways from various renovation projects throughout the campus has become an issue. Several solutions have been identified, evaluated and will be implemented.

The next meeting is scheduled for September 26, 2023, at 2:00 PM in the General Services Conference Room.

Resident Life, Nancy Fayer and Margaret Vincent, Co-Chairs

Nancy Fayer and Margaret Vincent, the new chairs of the Resident Life Committee, thanked the previous chairs (Joe Carrick and Peg Buehlman), the DIB chair (John Remias), and the Director of Resident Life (Karen Leighton) for getting them up to speed on past activities as well as potential future directions.

Monthly meetings will feature a presentation by a Resident Life staff member, highlighting ways in which residents can get involved with or benefit from these various departments. First up, in September, Allison Chlada, will speak about her Volunteer Program. Residents with projects that need volunteers are urged to attend. The following months will have presentations by Theresa Reymann-Curran (Fitness and Aquatics Director) and Tom Moore (971/972 CTV Manager).

Monthly meetings will also feature reports on our various subcommittees, working groups, and projects, all of which deal in some way with neighbor-to-neighbor relationships. These include, of course, the Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB)committee (and its subgroups Tapestry and Ageism/Ableism). Additional projects are now in the early planning stages.

The next meeting will be on September 20 at 2 p.m. in Brookside Classroom 2.

Safety and Security, Ed Appel

Ed Appel, the new Chairperson and 2 1/2-year member of the committee met with Justine Parezo, the previous chair. There was no meeting in August. The current concern and topic for next meeting is unsafe driving.

The next meeting will be Thursday, September 28 at 1:00 in Charlestown Square Classroom 116. This is a one-time change due to the travel of the Chair.

Comments and questions from Residents and Guests

Don Grove, Charlestown Executive Director

John Remias introduced Don Grove, Charlestown Executive Director, who gave an administration update.

Don began by, once again, congratulating Hope Tillman on her selection to the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. He took the time to thank Hope and the CCIcharlestown.org website team including Walt Howe and Sarah Nixon for their continued maintenance support. Don also acknowledged Phyl Lansing and her team for the Mission Moments work they do.

There have been some outages with the Acuity system which are Don’s highest priority. The pendants work, except that they are not transmitting back to security.  There was a concern when the system is down, people may not get the various messages from security. That is why they have security patrolling the halls during an outage and ask people to call when there is an emergency.

Don described the incident outside Charlestown Square Saturday morning involving a man parking in a reserved parking spot. He was waiting for his girlfriend to finish work at the CVS. A resident saw him parking in his space and asked the man to move. He did, to another reserved spot. The incident ended when security called the county police who handled the incident. The man and the CVS employee will no longer be allowed on the premises. 

Questions and Answers

Rick Jones reminded residents that Lantern Flies have been spotted around campus. They severely damage trees as we have seen around St. Charles. 

Another resident thanked Don for his transparency with the residents. She appreciated the dining venues’ use of the QR codes to provide both positive and negative comments. One person was frustrated with using the QR code as it doesn’t always work in the  Fireside and Terrace. She would be glad to fill out a form if they are available.

Teeny weeny bugs: A resident has been inundated with small insects which may be fruit flies. She tried using Simple Green but to no avail. It was recommended that she call Maintenance.

Respectively submitted,

Nancy Meier, Residents’ Council Secretary