The Council on Aging (CoA) held recently held its May meeting at the Holliston Senior Center. All members were present, and Chair Yvette Cain called the meeting to order at 2:02 pm on May 10th.

During the brief meeting, members of the Senior Center staff updated the CoA on actions and activities that are underway / planned.

• Assistant Director Amanda Boralessa (bottom right corner above) shared:
  • 4 special luncheons are happening in the next month
  • A new ukulele jam session is starting Thursdays in May
  • The Center is very active
  • Mask wearing remains optional – and COVID case counts are being tracked to see if any changes are needed.
• Outreach / Transportation Coordinator Melicia DaCosta (bottom left corner above) shared:
  • She is meeting residents and members of staff in other Town departments
• Senior Center Director Lisa Bochetta (below) shared:

• $60,000 was approved at Town Meeting for exterior work (including improved drainage) at the Center.
• The MetroWest Health Foundation Technology grant has been extended through December 2022.
• The ARPA supported CoA program to assist low-income seniors with critical home repairs is starting to take shape in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.
• The town-wide survey for 55 and older citizens conducted by UMass “key informant” interviews have begun. This survey is separate from the Envisioning Future Holliston survey that will be available to ALL residents.
• The Senior Center continues to receive generous donations from residents and local businesses which goes to support the programs at the Center.
• The Center’s van driver staff is now at full strength with the addition of Howard “Scott” Babbits.
• A coffee hour with representatives from the Envisioning Future Holliston (EFH) committee is in the planning stages.
• An EFH information table will be set up outside the High School on election day, May 24th.

Chair Cain announced that Frank Caron, a CoA since 2008 will be leaving at the end of his current term in June. Member Bob Malone thanked Frank for his willingness to always step up to volunteer.

The June meeting will be the Annual Meeting and Chair Cain asked members to consider on which CoA subcommittees they would like to serve.