Below is a summarized version of the Council on Aging meeting, organized by timestamps and speakers, focusing on key points raised during the discussion in Reading, Massachusetts. This summary condenses the discussion into major themes, speaker contributions, and decisions, avoiding excessive detail while retaining the essence of the conversation. Timestamps correspond to the video linked at the bottom.
Contents
- 🧾 Roll Call & Agenda Review 1:06
- 🕊️ Acknowledgment of Mike Coltman’s Passing 2:32
- 📄 Approval of Minutes & Secretary Appointment 3:26
- 🏛️ Select Board Update 9:22
- 📊 Elder & Human Services Report 19:17
- 📘 COA Manual Update 33:23
- 🧩 ReCAL Operations Plan Introduction 38:05
- 🧳 COA Annual Conference 1:38:23
- 🏗️ Permanent Building Committee (PBC) Update 1:41:24
- 📅 Future Agenda Items 1:51:24
- ✅ Key Outcomes
🗓️ Council on Aging Meeting Summary
📍 Date: August 18, 2025
🕒 Time: 6:00 PM
📌 Location: Pleasant Street Center & Zoom
🎙️ Chair: Karen Janowski
👥 Board Members Present: Board Members Present: Thomas O’Connor, Jean Prato, John Saczynski, Rosemary DeBenadetto, Karen Pinette, Nancy Ziemlak, Marilyn Shapleigh, Ron Powell, John Parsons and Kathleen Harrington
🧾 Roll Call & Agenda Review 1:06
- All members were present in person; no formal roll call required.
- Kathleen Harrington confirmed she was officially sworn in.
- Agenda items included:
- Approval of July meeting minutes
- Secretary volunteer request
- Select Board update
- Elder & Human Services report
- Trust Fund update
- COA annual conference
- Permanent Building Committee (PBC) update
- Introduction to ReCAL Operations Plan
- Future agenda items
🕊️ Acknowledgment of Mike Coltman’s Passing 2:32
- The meeting opened with a tribute to Mike Coltman a valued ReCAL committee member and community volunteer.
- His contributions were recognized, and his loss deeply felt by the community.
📄 Approval of Minutes & Secretary Appointment 3:26
- July minutes were approved unanimously (10–0).
- Corrections noted regarding name spellings and mailer distribution.
- A volunteer was appointed to take minutes after discussion and clarification about packet distribution issues.
🏛️ Select Board Update 9:22
- Karen Rose-Gillis reported on:
- Internal borrowing for ReCAL and Killam projects
- Creative revenue ideas: field sponsorships, Airbnb tax increases, liquor license transfers
- Formation of a Water & Sewer Commission to better understand rate structures
- Resident email tracking system for Select Board follow-ups
- Tour of Burbank Arena and potential town revenue discussions
- Welcome packet initiative for new residents, especially seniors and those without online access
📊 Elder & Human Services Report 19:17
- July saw nearly 3,000 duplicated interactions.
- Popular programs included:
- Fiber arts, Rockport trip, Independence Day luncheon, herbalist presentation, movie & pizza
- Waitlists noted for several events, especially the Independence Day luncheon (33 people).
- Trust Fund Update:
- Minimal use of trust funds to allow growth post-ARPA.
- ARPA funds must be used by end of 2026.
- Three of four trust funds are under COA’s discretion.
📘 COA Manual Update 33:23
- Manual is being streamlined and digitized.
- 26 documents reviewed; annotated table of contents created.
- Goal: make materials accessible online and in print, remove outdated content, and link to live updates.
🧩 ReCAL Operations Plan Introduction 38:05
Presented by Jenna Wood, Chris Kowaleski, Emily Sisson and John Sasso
Vision & Mission:
- ReCAL will support Elder & Human Services, Recreation, and Veterans divisions.
- Focus on health, wellness, social interaction, and accessibility for all ages, especially 60+.
Guiding Principles:
- Age-friendly, inclusive design
- Dedicated senior hub
- Weekend/evening hours
- Shared community spaces
- Environmentally conscious and carbon neutral
Senior Hub Features:
- Lounge, café, game room, fitness area, outdoor patio
- Priority programming for 60+ including wellness, mental health, transportation, and case management
Community Access Areas:
- Indoor track, fitness equipment room, recreation programs, rentable spaces
- Emergency shelter and alternative voting location potential
Operations Timeline:
- October: Draft policies presented
- November: Sample programming strategy
- December: Open discussion
- January 2026: Operational costs and revenue projections
- February 2026: Transportation model and grant updates
- Spring 2026: Community presentation and Select Board update
Policies in Development:
- Rental rules
- Participation policy
- Fitness room policy (modeled after Sandwich, MA)
- Liability waivers and standards of independence
Discussion Highlights:
- Emphasis on capturing participant experience
- Need for COA input on programming and assumptions
- Suggestion for joint COA-Recreation Committee meeting
- Concerns about traffic and transportation at new site
- Request for age breakdown of current participants
- Importance of including seniors in planning process
🧳 COA Annual Conference 1:38:23
- Scheduled for October 22–24 in Falmouth.
- Open to COA members; typically attended for one day.
- Vote on funding to be held at next meeting.
🏗️ Permanent Building Committee (PBC) Update 1:41:24
- Nancy Ziemlak reported:
- Budget and schedule on track
- Groundbreaking expected January 2026
- Kitchen design updated; induction stove included
- 27 design suggestions reviewed; 3 remain outstanding
- Flooring flexibility and coffee station location discussed
- Technical review of design drawings underway
📅 Future Agenda Items 1:51:24
- Conflict of interest training clarification requested
- Members encouraged to submit agenda items to Karen or Chris
✅ Key Outcomes
- Minutes Approved: July meeting minutes approved unanimously.
- Operations Plan Introduced: ReCAL operations framework and timeline presented.
- Manual Update Progress: COA manual being streamlined and digitized.
- Trust Fund Strategy: Funds preserved to support post-ARPA programming.
- COA Conference: Scheduled for October; vote on attendance funding next meeting.
- PBC Update: Budget and schedule on track; kitchen and design updates shared.
- Community Engagement: Emphasis on COA input, programming strategy, and transportation planning.
