Last Updated on December 7, 2023
THE RECORD OF THE CHARLESTOWN RESIDENTS’ COUNCIL
(web version)
November 6, 2023
Residents’ Council Website: ccicharlestown.org
The Council observed a moment of silence for those who have passed away.
Previously distributed minutes of the October meeting of the Residents’ Council meeting were approved as presented.
Mission Moment
We have one Mission Moment to share. I believe this a helping hand given by Andrea Harvey. Carol Timinus was having pain in her left leg and could not walk to the medical center so she called security and asked for a ride. Security came and took her over to the medical center. They said that when she was done with her appointment, please let them know and they would come back for her. At the end of her appointment, she called back. And it turns out that security was having a crisis on campus and could not come right away. In the meantime, Andrea Harvey was in the medical center and overheard the conversation and asked if she could help. Carol said that she needed a ride. Andrea took her back to her Charlestown Square apartment and returned the wheel chair to its proper place in Charlestown Square. Andrea who has only lived here for about six months just wanted to do a good deed. Carol couldn’t thank her enough for taking time out of her day to help. Carol says that if there were more people like Andrea, the world would be a better place. Andrea demonstrated the essence of being a good person and showed respect, caring, excellence, friendliness, empathy, and desire to help.
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
This is the month for giving thanks, speaking of which, there are only 5 days to give that thanks to our staff. Our Staff Appreciation Fund drive ends this Friday, November 10. The current total of giving is just over $200,000 with our goal being $300,000. Frankly, I am worried that we won’t meet last year’s total giving of about $272,000. This is our one chance, once a year, to show our appreciation to our great staff – front rooms and back rooms. If you have already made a contribution, thank you.
If you haven’t taken the opportunity to share your appreciation yet, please do so. We do have the Appreciation fund materials here for you if you have misplaced yours. You can also simply write a check made out to the CCI Staff Appreciation Fund, put it in an envelope and put it into the Appreciation fund deposit boxes that are at all of the front desks.
OR if you wish to make a contribution using a Resident Charge or a credit card, please stop in at the Philanthropy office in the Cross Creek lobby. I do want to thank Jacquie Lucy for taking on the chairmanship of this effort. She has done yeoman’s work. Thank you, Jacquie AND your dedicated team. Obviously, thanks to Patti Santoni and our wonderful new Philanthropy team addition, Bette Holub.
To see the gratitude on the faces of the employees on the day they receive our thanks is really heartwarming. Help us make those smiles just a little wider.
On the flip side, we did a great job of completing our Resident Surveys (also known as the Holleran survey) as we have come very close to our 80% goal – almost a full 10% over last year. Now our Administration will have a good picture of where we stand in our feelings about how they are doing and what they need to do yet to meet their promise of giving us the right kind of Home for Life that we want to have. It’s never going to be perfect, but it can be, and is, very good.
Diana Dunaway, Treasurer
| September 01, 2023, Balance | $ 8,335.77 |
| Revenue – from Dues Campaign | $ .00 |
| Expenses | $-190.36 |
| September 30, Balance | $8,145.41 |
| October 2023 Expense Details | |
| Secretary – $129.99, Transcription software | |
| Health Services, $60.37, Medical Disposal supplies |
Committee Reports
Benevolent Care, Carol Kefford
The October Treasure Sale netted $45,149.00, exceeding the goal of $40,000 for the 40th Anniversary. It was a terrific effort by many hands.
As the year draws to a close, please consider a year-end gift to the Benevolent Care Fund. If you are taking a required minimum distribution from your IRA, you can reduce your taxes and donate to Benevolent Care using a Qualified Charitable Distribution approach. Please contact Patti Santoni in the Philanthropy Department for additional information and forms.
There is still time to get a Red leaf on the Legacy Tree in honor of the 40th Anniversary celebration with a donation at the $5000 and $10,000 level. There will be a ceremony early in 2024 to honor those who have given this year.
The next meeting: November 20 in room CTS116 at 2PM.
Communications, David Elder and Larry Taylor, Co-chairs
- Xfinity/Comcast Channel lineup changes were posted to MyErickson.
- Dining Services Wi-Fi tablets problems continue with broken devices and Wi-Fi issues.
- Resident Voice-over Wi-F. The survey team successfully evaluated and tested Wi-Fi calling service at Wilton Overlook. IT continues to work on this.
- Tech Bar had 60 Residents Participated. The next one is scheduled for December 13 at 10:00 AM in the Chesapeake Dining Room.
- Assisted Living Communications Surveys were completed on Friday September 29 and October 24. Communication Committee and Residents’ Council members included
Donna Ferrara, Seldra Funk, Steve Harders, Merci Izquierdo-Whitaker, Phyl Lansing
Nancy Meier, Ken Parezo, Deborah Richards, Hope Tillman, and Jean Williamson. The results show that Continuing Care residents primarily get their information about what is going on here from Channel 972 and the two monthly publications distributed by Caton Woods and Wilton Overlook: weekly schedule and special activities calendar.
Some of the residents read the Sunburst, while some didn’t even know what it was.
Assisted living residents mostly rely on their family to share their concerns and issues with Charlestown. 50% of Caton Woods residents and 20% of Wilton Overlook residents have a computing device. Of those with smartphones, tablets, or computers, the majority use email daily. They do not rely on it for Charlestown communications, however.
The Committee chairs continue increasing awareness of the Resident Website: CCICharlestown.org, and promote the CCI Communications Email Chat, CCI-Communications@googlegroups.com. They also encourage residents to use the New Council Communication Forms.
The next meeting of the Communications Committee: Monday November 27 at 2:00 via ZOOM, preceded by the WEBSITE Committee ZOOM Meeting at 1:00.
Conservation, Mark Buehlman
In October our meeting was combined with a presentation on runoff and erosion control, so there were no new reports or action items.
We completed the presentation entitled “Runoff and Erosion Control at Charlestown, a Raindrop’s Journey to the Chesapeake Bay”, cosponsored by our Committee and the Nature Trail Club. The presentation was recorded and will be available soon on MyErickson for anyone who missed it.
Early this month we also did an ELLIC class on “Sustainable Living and Recycling at Charlestown”. Marty Tewksbury, head of our Recycling Subcommittee, had informative displays throughout the Auditorium and was able to answer many questions from Residents on some of the more problematic recycling items.
Next meeting: Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at 2:00 pm in Brookside Classroom 1.
Dining , Peggy Carey and Stephanie Leddy, Co-Chairs
The Dining Committee met with Ken Zahn, Director of Dining.
The Atrium reported on the issue of the Sysco delivery time interfering with service at the restaurants, specifically at the Atrium, and that reservations are picking up at the Atrium as residents have seen improvements in service. Since transparency was noted as a problem, it was suggested that John and Cynthia at the Atrium let people know if there is a problem with supplies, or what may be happening in the kitchen. Ken agreed, and said he would address this in meeting with restaurant managers.
Chair sliders have been placed in the Chesapeake and should be installed in Atrium and Fireside within the week.
Reservations at the Chesapeake have increased. However, inconsistency was reported to be an issue. One night a dish is good another night the same dish is bad. Branzino was served as a whole fish one night and as then as a fillet.
Residents complimented the Filet mignon and crab cakes, as well as theme nights, improvements in service, and the survey breakfast.
Salt/Sodium was focus of the Dietary Focus Group meeting last week. There is a question as to whether we could have low salt or salt free salad dressings and gravy sauce with no salt. Mr. Zahn said that they use low salt base for gravy.
Verbatim responses from diners indicate that the first of the month and last week of the month show the most negative comments. Mr. Zahn would like to have a dialogue next Dining Committee meeting to discuss how to remedy this by possibly not running specials the first week of the month. He would like feedback from the Dining Committee.
The next meeting: November 20,2023 at 1:30 in Charlestown Square 116.
Finance, John Yoder
A report from the Dining Services Sustainability Work Group was received and discussed. The importance of having a representative of the Finance Committee serve in each work group was noted.
Operating margins continue to be healthy, driven in large part by strong occupancy in both Independent Living and Continuing Care. (All are above industry averages.)
Independent Living 94.6% (September)
Assisted Living 95.5%
Memory Care 98.5%
Skilled Nursing 90.0%
Thirteen residents received Benevolent Care funds at the end of September. The funds (both current and Foundation) have benefitted from recent substantial gifts and a very successful treasure sale.
Budget for 2024 has been presented to, and approved by, Board of Directors. A letter announcing a 4.5% monthly fee increase went out to residents on 11/1/2023.
PNC Financial Planning seminar on 10/28/2023 was successful and well attended. A follow-up session is being planned.
The next meeting: November 28, 9:00 AM in Brookside #1
Grounds, Dick Voelkel
The Grounds Committee continues to discuss deer control methods, and Dick has been in contact with the Department of Natural Resources who provided a number of options. We are hoping to have some kind of conclusion soon. According to Courtney Baker, Grounds Manager, they will be doing a major tree pruning this autumn and into the first quarter of the winter to get rid of all the dead branches and things like that. He also plans on new native plants to be put around Charlestown Square and Chapel court. For those people with garden plots, they will do a free tilling either this autumn or early spring. They also plan to do hydro raking hydro raking of the mud at the bottom of the lake because it has become shallow due to all the sediment that’s going on.
Next meeting: November 28, at 11am in Brookside classroom 1.
Health Services, Jean Tribulski and Connie Cooney, Co-Chairs
Leslie Johnson, Associate Executive Director, gave a report on the Falls Prevention Committee which was suspended during the Covid pandemic. Their goal is to coordinate the effort of various groups such as the Medical Center, the Fitness Center, the Physical Therapy Group, and Housekeeping, who have had a hand in helping to work towards Fall Prevention. The Committee will work on a more positive image on the use of assistive devices.
Resident Louise Dempsey reported that there is a Covid outbreak in Wilton Overlook and Leslie reported that the definition of an outbreak can be one person.
Dean Crawford , Practice Administrator of the Medical Center, reported that the RSV vaccinations will not be given at Charlestown due to concerns of the differing conditions of the population. The Covid shots will be given on Oct 18 and Oct 25. The CDC report offered by resident Dr. Pelczar recommends that all people over 65 receive this season’s Flu and latest Covid shots.
A discussion of the Drug Take Back program regarding taking sharps was tabled until the next meeting until talks could be had with Housekeeping and the Medical Center regarding their concerns. The next Drug Take back date is October 16.
Next meeting: November 14 at 11:00 am in Brookside Classroom 1 with the Resident Services representatives speaking on their roles for residents.
Housekeeping, Sebastian Petix
The Housekeeping Committee did not meet in October.
Committee members reported issues via cciworkorders@erickson.com and to me via email as usual.
Volunteers needed for Edgewood, Fountain Hill/New Carrol, Herbert’s Run 1 and 2, Maple terrace, and St. Charles 4,5,6.
Next meeting: November 20 at 10 AM in Brookside classroom 1.
Legislative/Political, Paulette Hammond and Art Johnson, Co-Chairs
The planned “Meet and Greet” with our elected state and local government representatives is scheduled for November 7 at 7:00 p.m., in the Gallery. All residents are encouraged to attend the event, with a neighbor or friend. There will be opportunity to ask questions of our elected officials.
Committee members were alerted to a town hall meeting on the Maiden Choice Lane repaving project being organized by Baltimore County Council member Pat Young. The meeting took place on the evening of October 11. Don Grove, Executive Director, agreed to provide a bus at no cost for residents to attend the meeting. Approximately fifteen residents attended. We concluded that (1) BGE is driving the project; (2) coordination with the county is lacking; (3) work will not begin until after winter 2024; and (4) despite BGE’s estimate that the project will be completed by the end of summer 2024, any timetable for completion at this point will not be reliable.
The committee agreed to alert members of the Resident Council and leaders of other potentially interested Charlestown groups about a petition being circulated on line to support the reinstatement of prescription drug benefits for state government retirees scheduled to be withdrawn as early as next year. If you are interested in attending, please see me after the meeting or email me ajohnson44@comcast.net). Jean Williamson
The next meeting: November 8, 2023 at 10 a.m. in Brookside Classroom #1
Maintenance and Engineering, Jerry Donaldson
Actions from Baltimore County include repair of the Herbert’s Run to St. Charles bridge washout and the movement of the wooden covered bridge on the Nature Walking Trail.
Contractor action items:
- Reviewing Contractor bids on the replacement of the wooden Guard Rails
- Replacement elevator for Chapel Court: Contractor has signed, but waiting start date from Otis. Excessive noise from HVAC unit in Chapel Court
- General Services is working two additional Water Intrusion actions. General Services will build and test a mock up of one version of a pipe restraining option and are awaiting the results while looking for improvements.
- General Services will present to the M&E Committee the results of the water leak response time on or before the next Committee meeting. Jay Spivey , Grounds Manager, briefed the committee who concluded that a lot has been done, a lot is being done, and a lot more is being planned, and we need to get the word out to as many residents as possible. Flood response times to an unannounced drill on October 19:
- Flood call went out over the radio at 2:00pm to Security Dispatch (loop line burst in HR316)
- Security arrived at 2:02pm and called Maintenance and
- Additional Security arrived at 2:05pm with Emergency Supplies
- Engineering arrived at 2:07pm
- Housekeeping and Facilities Coordinator arrived at 2:08pm
- Over the next several minutes, additional Maintenance and Housekeeping employees arrived
Additionally, based on the Signage Review Sub-Committee, there is still confusion, especially with new residents. Signage issues were deferred until the next committee meeting. General Services accepted a new action to brief the committee on their plan to address the clogged gutters at the next meeting.
The next meeting : November 28, 2023 in the General Services Conference Room at 2:00 PM
Resident Life, Nancy Fayer and Margaret Vincent, Co-Chairs
At the October 18 meeting of the Resident Life Committee, Teresa Reymann-Curran spoke about our Fitness and Aquatics activities and Mark Buehlman reported on the Sustainability working groups.
The co-chairs announced some changes to the several subcommittees to help simplify their administration. The Pet Group and Birthday Angels will now be officially independent groups and Mission Moments will be a Special Committee of the Residents’ Council. Tapestry and Ageism will be elevated to allow Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging to focus on new projects.
Marie Skane’s “Dine Together,” debuted on October 2, offering new residents an opportunity to meet each other. Again, on November 6, between 5 and 6:30, newbies can pick up their supper at the Short Line Café and gather in the Cross Creek Craft Room. The program will take a break in December and January, but will be scheduled regularly on the first Monday of the month beginning in February.
Pat Kasuda encourages all residents to place a flameless candle in their windows during the holiday season. Virginia Antevil is our point person for this revived tradition, called “Light Up Charlestown.” Residents can purchase candles locally, or online, or take advantage of our group orders. We will have sales tables at the upcoming Craft Sale and near the restaurants the week after Thanksgiving.
Our featured speaker for the next meeting will be Tom Moore of 972 and the Virtual Reality program.
Next meeting: November 15 at 2 p.m. in Brookside Classroom 2. Please note that this is a week earlier than usually.
Safety and Security, Ed Appel
According to Craig Nelson, Security Manager, six persons are currently banned from the campus due to past behavior. Enhanced safety markings are being installed currently at the crosswalk from Parkview to St. Charles. Unsafe driving can result in warnings, fines and even drivers banned from bringing cars on campus. Residents should inform Security of observed unsafe driving. Security gets one or two lost keys reports daily, most of which are subsequently found by residents. Reception front doors such as CTS, St. Charles, etc., can be unlocked by buzzing Security, but can be manually opened.
After discussion of incidents of dog owners violating Resident Handbook rules and a few dog bites, member Veronica Coleman volunteered to collect information about pets and report to the committee, which will coordinate a review with Resident Life Committee.
A firearms working group was formed, to review past committee studies, monitor new resident awareness of Charlestown Resident Handbook firearms restrictions, and monitor Maryland firearms legislation effective October 1, which has been partially suspended by a court. The committee will coordinate with the Legislative/Political Committee.
The Baltimore County Police Department public meeting reported that Kia and Hyundai dealers are now providing a software fix to prevent/deter thefts. A Wilkins-area “Shot Spotter” device is working with 90% accuracy, allowing BCPD rapid response to gunfire incidents, which are rare in this precinct.
Peg Buehlman is consulting with Jason Spivey about adding mirrors that fit with Charlestown décor to help residents, especially those with EVs, to safely navigate at elevators and hallway intersections.
Next meeting: October 12, 2023, 2:00 in Charlestown Square Classroom 116
Comments and questions from Residents and Guests
John Remias introduced Leslie Johnson, Charlestown Associate Executive Director, who gave an administration update.
I would just like to echo Mr. Remias’ comment, your partnership and all the work you do is truly appreciated. We could not resolve the issues or face some of the challenges that we have together as a community without our support and partnerships. So, as we enter this season of gratitude, I’m very grateful to be a part of this community and appreciate everything that you have to offer and your commitment to making Charlestown the best place that can be.
That leads us into the resident satisfaction surveys. A lot of focus from our team has been on the satisfaction survey over the last year. The action plan that we put together, the measurable goals that you helped us create, all comes to this year’s survey. Our hurdle is participation. These numbers are as of Friday; our survey officially ended yesterday. I have not received the update for today and we will continue to get updates throughout this week as late responses get mailed-in. As of Friday, for Independent Living, we had a participation rate of 78.3%. We set a lofty goal of 80% participation for Charlestown; the Erickson Senior Living goal was 70%, so, we by far surpassed that of last year. For prospective, we only needed 29 more surveys to reach our 80% goal. Just phenomenal participation. And that is a huge thanks to all of you and the support of this council. Multiple efforts were put by you and our team including the door-to-door effort, the serving of breakfast where you helped communicate and help other residents navigate the QR codes. Also partnering with continuing care to support those residents that needed assistance just with the physical aspect of taking the survey. In Continuing Care, we exceeded participation in every single business line this year. We exceeded Greenspring Village, Oak Crest and Riderwood. Our first hurdle was participation. We will use the scores, the verbatims and the partnership with the Council to create a plan for next year to make it even better.
Ms. Johnson addressed the status of the Caton Ridge work, recognizing how long and frustrating it has been for the residents. The latest good news is that the underground work is complete, and that should put us on a good track. Contractors seem able to work though the remaining barriers and challenges. Starting tomorrow they will be laying some concrete so you see some additional equipment. There might be some pedestrian and vehicle traffic interruption. It will be minor and they will have spotters out there to direct, but great news that we received today that that’s moving forward. And along with that project is some work on the first floor, the outpatient rehab that had been relocated. We’ll get them all a new gym there. And we’re looking at some employee break rooms, and those projects are set to be completed by the end of March.
Mr. Donaldson did a wonderful job giving an update on the plumbing and water mitigation. The only thing I wanted to add to that is we have been partnering with an engineering firm EJ Adams, who up to this point had been doing a lot of work reviewing blueprints and things like that. But now they are on site and began last week. We are focusing on Brookside trying to have them look at vacant apartments so there’s a little disturbance, but they might be getting into some of the apartments there. They gave us an up to estimate of about eight to 12 weeks to complete that assessment and come back to us with their recommendations. But wonderful partnership with our Residents’ Council members for that.
You should have by now received your letter notifying you of the 4.5% increase to your monthly service fee. There were minimal changes to the ancillary fees. Our next resident townhall is Thursday, November 16 from 10am to 11amI in the Conference Center. This is where we will review the 2024 budget with the residents and you will also hear from our board of directors. We encourage you to attend to give you the opportunity to get more detailed explanation of the budget and also ask questions.
Mr. Remias already touched on the staff appreciation but I just wanted to touch this as we enter that season of gratitude. And it is the opportunity to show our appreciation and gratitude to the employees. There’s five more days to participate. I thank you all that have contributed. It means so much to our employees and if you have the opportunity and can you still have a few more days.
Resident Dr. Tillman expressed her thanks at living here at Charlestown. Evidently her apartment was one of those flooded. On that subject, Charlestown needs to do more to get the information out about the on-going efforts and he intends to stay on top of the work being done.
Respectively submitted,
Nancy Meier, Residents’ Council Secretary