A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to evaluating the senior center’s mission and strategic planning. Members discussed the necessity of having a clear, community-driven mission statement and the importance of establishing a comprehensive strategic plan. It was noted that the current mission statement had been removed from the newsletter, and there was a proposal to reinstate it for better clarity. The lack of a formal strategic plan was identified as a gap, with members agreeing that such a plan is important for guiding the center’s future actions and aligning with community needs.

The dialogue revealed that while feedback mechanisms like listening sessions were in place, they did not constitute a formal strategic plan. Members expressed a shared understanding that the senior center could benefit from a more structured approach to planning and evaluation, as there were currently no strategic goals established for the upcoming years. The necessity of formalizing processes to better serve constituents and adapt to changing circumstances was underscored.

Attention then turned to the committee’s governance, with discussions about aligning committee members’ terms to ensure staggered reappointments. This realignment was viewed as a necessary step to avoid having a majority of the committee up for reappointment simultaneously. The committee also scheduled elections for July 8th, underscoring the importance of leadership roles like the chair and secretary, while noting that the vice chair position could be addressed later.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the resignation of a planning board member and the subsequent implications for committee composition. A proposal was made to appoint new members to fill vacancies and possibly increase associate members to distribute the workload more evenly. The importance of diverse perspectives within the board was emphasized, with recent interest from the community in planning board applications encouraging individuals to apply for associate positions.

In parallel to governance discussions, the meeting considered the standards for senior center accreditation. Members agreed to tackle the standards sequentially. The importance of refining planning processes and formalizing documentation to align with accreditation requirements was stressed, particularly as the center anticipates opening a new facility in the coming years.

The meeting also featured updates on various projects, including a significant site grading and expansion project. Concerns about stormwater runoff on Park Street were raised, with plans for an on-site review to address these issues. Blasting operations for the Stratton Hill project were also discussed, with measures in place to minimize environmental impacts. Additionally, the committee enforced corrective actions on Graten Harvard Road due to infractions.

Finally, a question arose regarding the format of future meetings, debating whether to maintain a hybrid model or return to in-person meetings. The hybrid format was praised for enhancing public participation, allowing remote attendance via Zoom, and facilitating involvement from consultants located far from the meeting venue. The board agreed to continue the hybrid model until June 30, 2026, to maintain accessibility while addressing technical challenges.