The meeting began with the announcement that the Council on Aging is seeking volunteers for various roles, such as Meals on Wheels and senior tax writeoff services. Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact Paulie, the director, for more information.

The board then shifted focus to the reorganization for the new fiscal year. Donna’s nomination and confirmation as the new chair were conducted smoothly, with unanimous support from the board. However, the process of electing a vice chair proved slightly more complex due to some procedural confusion. Ultimately, Gail was nominated and approved for the vice chair position, though the vote was not entirely unanimous, reflecting some dissent. Deb was nominated and accepted the role of secretary, with her duties to commence immediately, pending a formal election in the forthcoming meeting.

Resignations were a point of discussion, with the departure of three long-serving members: Katie Star, Mary Haramman, and Joan Hutcherson. Each member’s contributions were acknowledged, particularly Joan’s extensive service and recruitment efforts. The board highlighted the need for new members to fill these vacancies, currently leaving the board with five members and several open positions. The chair outlined the procedural steps for potential candidates interested in joining the board, encouraging community members to attend upcoming meetings and express their interest.

In addition to leadership changes, the meeting delved into new initiatives aimed at fostering a more inclusive community environment for seniors. A key point was the discussion on reinstating office hours for the advisory board. These office hours are intended to provide seniors with an opportunity to engage with board members directly, share concerns, and ask questions. The proposal to hold these hours on the last Thursday of each month from 10:30 to 11:30 AM was put forward, aligning with existing town schedules and avoiding conflicts with other functions such as the police chief’s office hours.

The board also addressed updates on the age and dementia-friendly working group. Holly, expected to provide further details, noted that the group’s initiatives are inclusive and have garnered interest from various age groups. An upcoming survey aimed at gathering community input on needs and services was highlighted, with plans to distribute it in both print and digital formats using QR codes. Promotion of the survey will occur through town events and social media channels.

Holly further reported on new programming at the senior center, including a music bingo event called Singo and a fitness class designed to improve strength, flexibility, and balance. The fitness class will begin with a free demonstration, followed by a fee-based schedule, offering seniors new opportunities to engage in physical activity.

Another update involved the introduction of Deborah Jenkins as a new driver in the transportation program. Her training will soon enable her to fully operate the service, which has provided numerous rides to seniors in the past fiscal year, underscoring its importance to the community. Outreach efforts are ongoing, with a staff member named Jenny pursuing grant opportunities and engaging with local agencies to support these initiatives.

The meeting concluded with the chair expressing gratitude for being elected to the position, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and respect among board members. A moment of remembrance was observed for individuals affected by recent tragedies. The next meeting was scheduled for August 12, with a motion to adjourn approved unanimously.