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.
📄 Meeting Summary: Council on Aging (COA) – October 20, 2025
🕕 Start Time: 6:30 PM
💻 Format: Hybrid (Town Hall Conference Room and Zoom)
👩⚖️ Chair: Karen Janowski
👥 Attendees: Joan Coco, John Parsons, Karen Pinette, Ron Powell, Jean Prato, John Saczynski, Marilyn Shapleigh, Deborah Small, Thomas O’Connor, Nancy Ziemlak, Rosemary DeBenedetto, Dave Harrington, Tony Leonetta, Kathleen Harrington (temporary voting member), plus guests including Emily Sisson and Jenna Wood.
📋 Summary: Karen opened the meeting with attendance and agenda review. Key topics included approval of minutes, appointment of a secretary, Recal operations plan, membership and rental policies, elder services report, trust fund updates, and a vote to change the monthly meeting time.
🧾 Secretary Appointment
⏰ 3:34–8:56
Discussion: Marilyn and Kate previously took minutes. Nancy Ziemlak volunteered to use AI transcription and format minutes into the template.
Outcome: Nancy Ziemlak appointed secretary by unanimous vote.
🗳️ Select Board Update
⏰ 8:56–13:27
Speaker: Karen Rose Gillis
Summary: Trash contract finalized with Republic Services. Key issue resolved regarding barrel count and pricing discrepancies. No transition needed; leaf pickup continues. Drop-off options for burnables and metal items to be added.
Outcome: Trash service continuity confirmed; cost concerns noted.
🏗️ Recal Operations Plan
⏰ 13:27–1:15:03
Speakers: Jenna Wood, Emily Sisson, Chris
Summary: Draft policies and procedures presented for membership, fitness room, and rentals. Membership packet includes safety, medical, and consent forms. Fitness room access, liability, and orientation discussed. Rental policy modeled after other towns; includes insurance, kitchen use, and fee structure. Concerns raised about age limits, supervision, and senior priority in shared spaces.
Outcome: Feedback requested; programming policy to be presented next month. COA emphasized senior priority and requested clearer age and access guidelines.
📋 Elder and Human Services Report
⏰ 1:15:03–1:28:00
Speaker: Chris Kowaleski
Summary: September saw 3,048 interactions, meeting monthly goals. Waitlists for popular programs like line dancing and fiber arts. Thanksgiving dinner confirmed for Nov. 21 at Teresa’s Prime, North Reading. Carrie initiated “Coffee Talk with Carrie” and is organizing a holiday giving tree. SHINE program overwhelmed due to Medicare changes; 48 on waitlist. Trust funds remain untouched but growing; future planning needed.
Outcome: SHINE demand noted; outreach and scheduling challenges discussed. Trust fund planning and reporting improvements suggested.
🏛️ Permanent Building Committee (PBC) Update
⏰ 1:28:00–1:37:26
Speaker: Nancy Ziemlak
Summary: Recal and pickleball projects approved; waiver granted for five parking spaces. Design and construction progressing; solar options under review. Outreach updates added to town website.
Outcome: Next PBC meetings scheduled for Nov. 5 and Dec. 3. COA encouraged to stay engaged.
📣 Outreach & Events
⏰ 1:37:26–1:40:01
Connected Reading Open House: Scheduled for Oct. 28 at the library. Marilyn to represent COA; volunteers welcome.
🕕 Meeting Time Change
⏰ 1:40:01–1:49:00
Discussion: Proposal to move monthly meeting from 6:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Mixed preferences discussed; majority favored earlier time.
Outcome: Motion passed; future meetings to begin at 6:00 PM.
📅 Future Agenda & Next Meeting
⏰ 1:49:00–1:53:54
Next Meeting Date: November 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Future Agenda Items:
- Recal programming policy
- Continued discussion on membership, rentals, and fitness room
- Trust fund planning
- Outreach and engagement strategies
✅ Key Takeaways
- Recal operations planning is progressing, with strong emphasis on senior priority and safety.
- Membership, rental, and fitness room policies are under development and open for feedback.
- SHINE program demand is high due to Medicare changes; staffing and scheduling challenges noted.
- Trust funds remain available and underutilized; future planning and reporting improvements discussed.
- Meeting time officially changed to 6:00 PM going forward.
- Next meeting scheduled for November 19, 2025.
