Pat Murski, a former outreach worker and SHINE counselor, joined the board, filling a long-standing gap. Her appointment was met with enthusiasm from the board members, who commended her previous contributions to the community. This addition aims to strengthen the board’s capacity to address the needs of Acushnet’s elderly population.

One of the key highlights of the meeting was the acceptance of a new use-of-building policy by the selectmen. This policy outlines the guidelines and pricing for the use of the Council on Aging facilities. Board members expressed relief that there is now a formal document to refer to when handling requests.

In other matters, the board discussed the distribution of their newsletter, which has been successfully circulated across town except for a few locations that will be covered shortly. The newsletter provides essential information about upcoming events and schedules, including trips to Salem, Massachusetts, Foxwood Casino, and the Newport Playhouse.

The meeting also highlighted several upcoming events: an end-of-summer barbecue sponsored by Coastline, a nutritional demonstration by dietician Barbara Canuel from the Community Nurse, and regular visits from Representative Paul Schmid and Outreach Specialist Jennifer Levesque. These activities are designed to engage and assist the elderly community, addressing their nutritional, social, and health-related needs.

Lastly, the board briefly discussed potential changes in its leadership structure. This topic will be further explored in future meetings.