Once a quorum was present, Council on Aging (CoA) Chair Yvette Cain called the February 9, 2022, meeting to order at 2:07pm. As evidenced by the image below, CoA meetings are accessible real-time via Zoom. This feature is available to all residents via the link provided in the posted meeting agenda on the Town website.

After attending to CoA business, Chair Cain reviewed the recent Open Meeting Law guidance received from Town Counsel Mead, Talerman, and Costa. Then she shared some other informational updates with the Council, including that Linda Marshall is working part-time filling in as Outreach and Transportation Coordinator.

Staff Updates:

• Assistant Director Amanda Boralessa:
  • The March / April Newsletter will be sent out soon (Did you know it costs $600 to mail about 3,100 printed copies?  Only 68 copies are e-mailed at no cost.  If you would like to receive the newsletter via e-mail (a few days earlier than the mailed copies), please contact Amanda boralessaa@holliston.k12.ma.us
  • Prof. Gary Hylander will present two programs in March and April, sign up required
  • Holliston’s Sustainability Coordinator Matt Zettek will be conducting two sessions on Sustainability at the Senior Center
  • March features the St. Patrick’s Day luncheon.
  • The Senior Center Book Shop is being renamed in honor of recently deceased Edwina Kirby – the Shop will be known as the “Maria Thorn and Edwina Kirby Bookshop”
• Director Lisa Borchetta
  • The Survey of Holliston’s Senior population is in the planning phase.  Ms. Borchetta expects the survey to be completed, with results available, by the end of this calendar year.  This survey is funded by a grant from the MetroWest Health Foundation and Holliston’s ARPA grant.
  • Director Borchetta is working with the MetroWest / Greater Worcester affiliate of Habitat for Humanity to provide liveability and safety repairs to qualified Holliston seniors.  The proposed program would last for three years and be funded by Holliston’s ARPA grant.
  • Activities at the Senior Center are being modified through February to adhere to a mask requirement that is in place at the Senior Center (also Youth & Family Services and the Library).  Check with the Center 508.429.0622 for updates.
  • Several applications are being screened to fill the Full-time role of Outreach and Transportation Coordinator.
  • A part-time van driver is still being sought.
  • Several training programs are being provided for Senior Center staff and volunteers.
  • The proposed CoA FY 23 budget, approved by the CoA last month, was submitted to the Town Administrator prior to the submission deadline.
  • A request for $1,260 from the Senior Support Foundation (SSF) was approved by the CoA.

Associate Member Peter Eagan provided an update from the Envisioning Future Holliston (EFH) committee.  The first survey has closed, and the data are being presented to the EFH committee at its next meeting.  These survey data will inform the next set of questions to be asked via focus groups and a second survey.  Mr. Eagan noted that 18% of those responding to the survey identified as seniors – a healthy representation.

The next CoA meeting is scheduled for March 9th, 2022 – 2:00pm. 

The February meeting was adjourned at 2:44pm.