COA Board minutes,January26, 2017 2:00 p.m.

Meeting called to order at 2:00pm by Chair, Mary Williford.

COA members present:, Pat Jordan, Mary Williford, Tom Goodwin,Mary Parrott, Janice Colbert, Bobby O'Neill, Marsha Stone, Dorothy Gagnon, Rachel Lively, Marsha Staples-Love.

Excused Absentees: Ginger Carson, Adele Stevens, Karen McCormack.

Staff present: Hope Macary, Kathy Dunn, Winfield Hall, MaryAnn Socquet.

Chair statement: this meeting is being recorded if anyone else is recording the meeting, pleasenotify the chair now.No other recorders announced.

Correspondence:Thank you and a memorial donation from Avery Plotkin’s four daughters.

Minutes for the November 17, 2016, approved as read.

Public Comment: none.

Committee Reports;

By-Law Committee: by Tom Goodwin. No quorum. Some discussion about the wording regarding who hires the Director. By-Law Committee Members should have knowledge of the Open Meeting and Conflict of Interest Laws.

Executive Committee:by Mary Williford:

  • November minutes accepted as presented.
  • Petty cash in balance.
  • Update on the new Community Center. Some items had to be cut, nothing that will effect programming. The cost to demo the old school will come out of the new building project budget.
  • January 26, 2017 COA Board meeting agenda was set.

Staff Reports:

Director’s Report:

  • FY17 CDBG application submitted, $30,000 request.
  • Weather related closings.
  • Next Building Project meeting scheduled for Feb 24, 2017 at Town Hall, 11:00 a.m.
  • Purchase of Assistive Listening Service equipment – through a 75% matching grant.

Volunteer Coordinator:

  • CDBG – Food for Seniors: Started the FY16 CDBG grant and the FY17 grant has been submitted.
  • Poet’s Seat will hold our first lunch March 17th.
  • Recipe Swap ongoing, cookbook to follow.
  • Just Roots program to continue in the Spring.
  • Volunteer Program has logged 180 hrs last month. Volunteer recognition will be in May and requires 20 volunteer hours.
  • Senior Tax Work Off Program will be holding an informational session in April.
  • Partnership with GCTV will help get our center some coverage.

Activity Director:

  • Winter Solstice report.
  • Highland St Foundation update.
  • Zumba and Seniority will return Feb/Mar.
  • New drawing class in February.
  • Oral History Project with GHS in Feb.
  • Valentine and St. Patrick’s parties planned.
  • Planning 2017 season trips.
  • Reimbursement for Cultural Council Grant submitted.

New Business: Pat Jordan – Governor Baker to establish a Council on Older Adults to help improve the lives of seniors.

Old Business:

  • New Center Projectestimated costis 60% higher than expected so some cuts will be made, nothing to affect programming. Project should go out to bid in 4 or 5 weeks. Plans are being made forfuture plans for solar panels. Next Community Center Building Committee will be February 24, 2017 at 11:00am in Town Hall.
  • Mary Williford reminded Board Members to sign in as Volunteers when they attend Board meetings.
  • Legislative Committee is to keep in contact with our legislators by sending thank you messages for their help and also to keep current with changing events.
  • Governor Baker cut the $100,000 Paul Mark earmarkedfor the new building furnishings.
  • Motion to adjourn at 2:30pm made by Janice Colbert, seconded by Tom Goodwin.

Recorder: MaryAnn Socquet

Next COA meeting, February 23, 2017