The March meeting of the Holliston Council on Aging was held on Wednesday, March 10, 2021.  Vice-chair Bob Hopkins (below) called the meeting to order at 2:00pm.  The remote meeting guidelines were in effect for this meeting, so attendance and all votes were completed via roll call.

There was a quorum of members present.

Senior Center Director Linda Marshall, who retires at the end of March 2021, provided the Council with her monthly update. 

There was lots to report, here is a summary:

• Lisa Borchetta has been offered the position of Senior Center Director.  She  is scheduled to start on April 5th.  Linda will stay on part-time to aid in Lisa’s transition.
• While the Center has been open on a by-appointment-only basis, several areas of the building have received a fresh coat (or more) of paint.  Many areas will be recarpeted once the paint dries.  As this work came in under budget, some other flooring will be replaced.  Marshall credited Facilities Manager James Keast for his focus on keeping the work moving ahead.
• Several grants have been awarded to the Center.  The largest by far was recently announced by MassDevlopment / MAPC as follows:

“MassDevelopment, in partnership with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), has awarded $2,543,883 in funding to 47 cities and towns, municipal agencies, regional transit authorities, nonprofits, and health and human service providers through the Taxi, Livery, and Hackney Transportation Partnerships Grant Program, an operational subsidy program aimed at expanding transportation service capacity through contracts with licensed taxi or livery businesses. Administered by MAPC, these grants will help communities supplement existing transportation options, create new programs to transport individuals to work, grocery stores, non-emergency medical appointments, and other destinations, and facilitate delivery of essential supplies such as food and medicine to residents in need.

The Taxi, Livery, and Hackney Transportation Partnerships Grant Program is funded by MassDevelopment’s allocation from the Commonwealth’s Transportation Infrastructure Enhancement Trust Fund.

Holliston Council on Aging – $34,470
The organization is using this award to contract with Tommy’s Taxi and JFK Transportation to facilitate non-emergency medical transportation and other essential transportation for seniors, supplementing Council on Aging van service.”

• Director Marshall continues to go after grants with a pending request for $9,500 from the MetroWest Health Foundation to purchase tents for outdoor activities.  Stay tuned.
• Linda loves to throw a party.  Three are in the works: St. Pat’s Corned Beef to-go; Volunteer Appreciation Brunch to-go; and a Hello / Goodbye cookout to-go to – hello to Lisa and goodbye to Linda.
• The Center is looking for a part-time van driver (see want ad).
• Zoom and HCAT activities are well-attended.
• Volunteers at the Center have assisted over 100 Holliston seniors to with COVID vaccinations.
• Holliston has joined seven other Metrowest communities to apply for a regional vaccination center for residents of those towns.  IF the site is approved, it will be at the DoubleTree Hotel in Westborough.
• The State support for seniors comes by way of formula grants.  Governor Baker has proposed reducing the per senior fund from $12/senior to $9/senior.  The good news is that Holliston’s senior population has increased by nearly 1,300 so the total amount increases by about $3,000 – and the State budget has barely begun negotiations.

The Council approved the Director’s report as presented.

Looking ahead the Council discussed:

• When and how the Center will begin to welcome Seniors in for activities – especially the 30 – 50 meals that are currently delivered by staff on Mondays and Wednesdays.  How might tents (see grant above) enable outdoor gatherings.
• The Council is looking for new members.  The Council works with the Senior Center staff in ensuring the Senior Center is planning and conducting programs and services adequately serving the senior community. The Council is composed of 7 members, and meetings are held monthly, excepting July, August and January. Perhaps consider joining as an Associate member to get a feel for what membership entails.  There are currently 3,800 Holliston Seniors who could benefit from your volunteer efforts on the Council. Anyone who has an interest in the work of the Council on Aging should contact CoA Chair Bob Malone (e-mail). 

Other Business:  Bob Hopkins reported that he and American Legion Commander Steve Bradford recently went to Holliston’s Oldest Veteran Charlie Nickerson to present a Proclamation signed by Governor Baker.  Bob shared that he has known Charlie for many years and never new about his military service.

The meeting adjourned at 2:40pm.  The April meeting is scheduled for April 14^th at 2:00pm