The Council’s fundraising endeavors were a central theme, with Kathy Harlow outlining the Friends of the Council on Aging’s initiatives. Harlow mentioned that four board members would approach local businesses for support, and fundraising packets had been prepared. There were questions about disseminating this information to residents, with suggestions to include it in the town newsletter and other local channels. The importance of timely communication was emphasized, particularly with the soft opening of the new building scheduled for March.

Marilyn Fedele, despite technical difficulties, continued to participate by asking about the cost of mailing library fundraising information. It was suggested she contact Sarah Racher for details, highlighting a collaborative effort to gather relevant information.

The meeting also covered the progress of the Senior Center construction. The director expressed excitement over visible advancements, particularly the installation of an air vapor barrier to enhance energy efficiency. Windows are being installed clockwise, with all windows on site and on schedule. Interior work, including framing for different rooms and offices, is underway, with plumbing and electrical work set to begin soon. The completion date remains March 11.

Concerns were raised about the budget for furnishing and equipping the new center, particularly the audio-visual budget exceeding initial estimates. Discussions with the AV consultant are ongoing to streamline costs while ensuring quality services, such as live streaming events. The budget for exercise equipment also posed challenges, initially coming in at $51,000, with efforts to reduce it to approximately $25,000. A fitness instructor has offered to provide training on the equipment.

The director also mentioned the possibility of scheduling construction walkthroughs with Commodore Builders. Some members expressed interest in visiting the site once it is safe, and the director shared positive experiences from an earlier tour. There were comments about the visibility of the construction site and the presence of “do not enter” signs that some community members have ignored.

Board member updates included a discussion about the Affordable Housing Trust and recent developments related to Hagar Homestead. Four applications were received for an 80% Area Median Income unit, while no applications were submitted for a 60% AMI unit, now available on a first-come, first-served basis. The trust is also conducting a perk test and septic design for a new project at Jerky Farm, with ongoing negotiations with Habitat for Humanity for two units on Tahan Road.

An update from the Minuteman Senior Services board meeting revealed plans for a holiday auction in early December, encouraging members to support this event as part of their community engagement efforts. The Council also discussed a potential Giving Tuesday campaign, which would be a new initiative aimed at attracting funding and assessing its effectiveness.

The meeting addressed various community resources, including the Little Food Pantry, with Raina Hoffelt as the primary contact for monitoring supplies. Discussions emphasized the need for fresh and diverse donations and invited community contributions to maintain inventory.

The Council also tackled Medicare open enrollment and the fuel assistance program. The outreach coordinator noted that applications for the fuel assistance program had started to be mailed out later than usual. For electronic submissions, the portal opens on October 1st, with assistance available for both electronic and in-person applications. The coordinator highlighted the importance of consulting with shine certified counselor Alicia for guidance on Medicare plans. Alicia will host a coffee hour in October to discuss open enrollment, with attendees encouraged to make appointments.

A motion was made to accept the director’s and outreach coordinator’s reports, which passed unanimously. The meeting then included a discussion on bylaws revisions, particularly regarding meeting dates and procedures for eliminating meetings. Members expressed the need for clarity in the language of the bylaws and proposed changes to ensure efficiency and eliminate confusion.

The meeting concluded with a discussion about board manuals, with several members noting their manuals were in disrepair. There was a suggestion to check for spare binders and update the manuals with new materials, including rules and regulations. Members were encouraged to remove outdated documents and maintain current information.