The Council on Aging held its October meeting on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at the Holliston Senior Center.  The meeting was held following the State’s remote meeting protocols with all actions requiring a roll call.  The Zoom portion of the meeting was facilitated using a laptop camera as the “Zoom in a box” equipment was being used elsewhere at the Senior Center.

Chair Yvette Cain (below right) called the meeting shortly after 2pm.  Following roll call attendance and vote on the last meeting’s minutes, the meeting moved on the updates from the Senior Center Staff.

The Senior Support Foundation’s (SSF) recent Fall Fair netted about the same amount as in previous years – final expenses are not yet in.  The SSF is looking for someone to Chair the 2023 Fall Fair.  Interested parties should contact the the Senior Center.

Director Lisa Borchetta (second from left above) pointed out that the old wooden ramp at the back door of the Center has been replaced with concrete ramps and iron railings.  Next on the agenda is improving the drainage behind the Center to avoid the glacier that forms in the winter in the parking lot.

Borchetta went on to report on the Senior Home Repair program being managed by Habitat for Humanity.  To date fifteen potential applicants have contacted the Program.  Several residents have not completed the application for a variety of reasons.  2 repair (roof and ramp) projects are underway – 2 are pending.  More funding is available from Holliston’s ARPA grant to support more such repairs that make seniors’ housing safer and more livable.  Contact the Senior Center for more information.

Free COVID tests are available at the Senior Center.  These kits expire in January 2023.

The Holliston Senior Survey closed on Friday, October 14, 2022.  The results will be presented to the Select Board in January 2023.

Members of the Senior Center Staff have, or will soon, participate in professional development sessions / classes.

Work is underway to update the guidelines for behavior / language when engaged in activities at or through the Senior Center – including transportation.

The Council approved requests totaling $1,955 from the SSF for upcoming programing.  Remember, programming at the Sr. Ctr. is not covered in the Town’s CoA budget.  Funding comes from the SSF and other grants.

Janet Alexander applied to become a member of the Council on Aging.  The CoA unanimously approved her request.  She will be officially appointed at an upcoming Select Board meeting.  The CoA also elected Mrs. Alexander as Secretary.

The next meeting of the CoA is November 9, 2022, at 2:00pm.