Good morning everyone. >> Good morning. >> Welcome to this meeting of the Akush Council on Aging. Today is July 8th, 2026 and we are located at 59 and a half South Main Street in Aushnet and the uh
zip code is 02743. This meeting is being videoed and audio taped for later broadcast on local channel 18 and on the town of Cushion it's YouTube channel. >> I'd like to call the uh get get a motion to call the meeting to order. Please
motion. >> Okay and second. This meeting is in session. All right. And I'd like to read the off the board of directors. We have Lauren Boulder who is our director. Uh myself, the chairman, uh vice chair, Deborah Reposa, and we have Linda
Gilbert. >> Gilbo. How do you pronounce your last name? >> Gilbo. >> Gilbo. Okay. I'm sorry. >> Elbow. >> Gilbo. >> Okay, good. Uh we have Secretary Joan Howland, who prefers Jerry, likes to be called Jerry. Plet Hudson and Pauline
Texera. Okay, we have minutes from June 19th that need to be approved. Do I have a motion to approve the minutes from June 9th? Do I have a motion? Seconded. And it's approved. We will move on to old business, which incidentally I am. All right. We have therusha council on
aging monthly newsletters delivered throughout businesses in a we want to make you aware of uh the events that take place regularly here at the council on aging. Flyers are always available well in advance at the front desk and on the bulletin board facing the front
desk. We have gently used medical equipment and new incontinent supplies available at the COA free of charge. If you if you need some help with that inclement weather, if we are closed, the schools are closed. I mean, if the schools are closed, we are closed. It's
the other way around. Um >> well, wait a minute. Schools are all closed right now. Are we closed? No, we're here. We're only weather. >> Yes. All right. I got it. Wait till he's still got it. >> So, so the schools are closed. We're
closed for all classes and uh and and other sessions that go on your programs. Um sometimes the director or the custodial staff will be on hand if necessary for emergencies, but if the town hall is closed, we're closed due to inclement weather. Our outreach
specialist is Samantha Ortiz. She's here on Friday. And Pat Murki >> has resigned. >> Has resigned. >> And um so do we we don't have to vote on her resignation, right? I mean that's just automatic. She sent it over. >> Um yes. So I sent it over to town hall.
Um I believe that the board of selectman has to um approve of or vote on that. Um but I don't believe that we have to. >> Okay. >> All right. >> So it's just on Friday now, not Friday and Tuesday. Um, I have a little bit more um during my director update. Okay.
Um, that we can get into, but um, as of right now, Sam will be the one and only on Fridays. Yes. >> If you'd like to make an appointment with Samantha Ortiz, you can call her at 5089980280 to make an appointment. Representative Mark Sylvia is here on
the first Monday of every month from 10:00 to 11:00 in the morning. Representative Steve Wlette is here on the first Monday of the month every morning from 11 to noon. We have a veteran oh sorry veterans coffee social
here at AFC uh the ACOA first Tuesday of every month with veteran service officer Brad Fish. He's a really good guy. I think you'll enjoy that. It's from 8:30 to 9:30 and I want to stop coming to that. We >> have coffee. Brad brings donuts. It's a great time. Last uh last week, yesterday
we had a visit um from our resource officer. Um Officer Cafkart and Sunny the dog came to visit during the veteran social. So it was it was it was a great time. >> So I I do believe that um Officer Calfcar is and Sunny are planning on coming next month, too. So you'll get to see Sunny.
>> Oh, great. >> Yeah, they were here by July 7th, so we just missed it this month. Yes. So >> yeah. So these people need to know that, >> you know, look at the bulletin. Yep. the bulletin. Yes, I want to remind you about that, too. >> Uh the bulletin here that we have the
the Kushnet Senior Community Center, we have these delivered throughout the town >> and also they're available here and this will tell you everything you need to know about what's happening and I think there's quite a bit of things that we do. So, >> absolutely. >> You want to pick up one of these? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Do I have a motion to approve the
old business? Motion. Seconded. >> Second. >> Seconded. Okay. The old business is approved. New business. Kind of sound like the Adams family. Remember that movie? The Adams family with new business. >> Okay. We have an update from our director, Lauren Bula. All right. Yes.
Um so, as previously mentioned, um Pat did resign. Um her goal is to stay on as a Shine counselor, as a volunteer. Um she was actually here this morning and we were just trying to hash out some details of what that might look like. Um so, at least once a month that she'll be
in as a Shine counselor. Um, so more to come on that. Um, but we were planning on hopefully it being the um the second Tuesday of every month just so we could be consistent and when folks call in um you know if it's a an immediate concern that they have they may have to seek um
you know other counseling other Shine counseling from a number of different locations. So Fair Haven Middle is like the headquarters for Shine. Um so we want to be able to provide as much information as we can to folks you know who have concerns. Um, but again, if it's something that could wait till that
next visit with Pat, um, we'll be able to kind of screen. I made a little bit of a checklist for the the front desk, which was basically like a rough draft. Um, but I'm working on fine-tuning that with Pat just to be able to give us some guidance on um, you know, how to sort those um, types of calls out. So,
definitely more to come on that. Um, you know, I do have to run things by town hall and it as far as um, cuz she'll need um, email access and things like that. Um, and I'm not quite sure what that looks like with her not being a um an employee, but rather than a a
volunteer. So, um, this is our plan and hopefully everything works out, but um, still trying to, um, you know, smooth out all the edges with that. Um, and but thank you for Pat for everything that she's done for us and the fact that she's willing to stay on as a volunteer is great because there's a there's a huge need for Shine counselors in the
>> um, in this area. So, thank you, Pat. Um and then we had our cookout um last month and I did want to just thank the Aushet Firefighters Association in Eversource. They did sponsor the event. Um in past years, Jamie Kelly, our former town um administrator, had funded
or sponsored the the cookout himself. Um so, thank you Jamie for your your past um contributions to the to the COA. This year, we had to get a little creative. Um I wanted to make sure that we were still able to host that cookout for our seniors. Um and again thanks to the Accession firefighters association and
Eversource we were able to make that happen. Um and then our last meeting um that exact day the AC project um was starting um so it is complete. We have four new um units um and then we had it's five total but the the first one
was um replaced last year. So we do have five new units all installed and up and running. So um we're very excited about that. Um and thank you to everyone in the town. We had Matt Trip working on that. Um the new town administrator, he you know helped push things along and
along with our state reps. Um uh Sylvia and Mlette were both behind that. We had earmarks from the state um that were able to help us with the funding for that because that was a a decent sized project that we had along with funding from the town. So as it was a a collective um collective project. So
thank you to everyone who was involved. Um, and then the roof project, that's been something that we've discussed a few times throughout the last few years um that is on the horizon. I do know that there's a few other roofs in town that have to be um looked at. So um talking with Matt Tripower maintenance
foreman, I know that he um was going to discuss with town hall to see if that was kind of like a a bundle project or something that we could do. um once you go out to bid it it it's a lengthy process. So um I'm hoping to get this moving sooner than later. Um but so more
to come on that, but I think that would be hopefully not it would that this would be the last project for a little while. We've done a lot in the last few years even that I've been here. Um we've done some great improvements to the building. So um I'm hoping to get that going. But so more to
come on that. >> Thank you. >> We're working in the right direction. Yeah. >> Thank you, Lauren. >> Thank you. >> Okay, on to the new business. Ice cream social. Unfortunately, this is today, but uh I want to I wanted to uh let everybody know that we are having it.
It's an ice cream float social with Lisa Bo. >> Um >> follow River Senior Living. Uh registration is required. And did you want to say anything about this, Linda? >> I don't know too much about it. I guess uh this is anformational meeting. Um so
you know if you are looking into uh downsizing uh going to public housing or some type of housing um Lisa will be able to give you some guidance and I think her last name is Liber Libero >> and yeah and um and I have seen some
very nice advertisements for group homes in Fall River. Very very nice and very reasonable. Um, you know, I I don't want to move to Well, but some I want to stay right here, but you know, it's >> Yeah.
Um, my little weights just can't take it now. Uh, yeah. So, well, no, I might fall. You don't want me to fall? Yeah. Not >> Okay. Um, we have a seed oil
presentation on Wednesday 22nd of July at 12:00. Registration is required. And I'm assuming this is about the health of using seed oil. >> Let's see. >> Okay. >> How they're made, why they've become so controversial, >> uh, common myths, uh, claims surrounding
seed oils, examine what the current evidence says about their health effects, uh, discuss whether or not they can fit into a balanced diet. Um, and this is from cosign elderly and it's a newest that's going to be doing this. Well, it says MS
registered dietician. Oh, okay. I believe she probably it's masters in science, maybe registered dietitian. >> Yep. So, that looks pretty interesting. Yeah. >> I've read some things about it that it's pro and con, but a lot of people say you're better off using butter.
>> That's not my opinion. I'm just saying I've read that. >> I don't know. We can ask Ashley. really and also um there are flyers out there. So if somebody just wants a reminder, they can pick up a flyer like what you have. I was going to say and that's why we put flyers out there for more
information. >> Yeah, the flyers are really great and we don't talk about them enough. Yeah, we talk about the newsletter, but there's so much going on in the area and Yeah. And they can be found all all over the area. Uh the BFW, the American Legion,
um the mill restaurants. >> I think they does Lloyds get them. >> Yes. Okay. >> And online also. I know that we had discussed that last meeting. Um but you can view them online as well. >> Yeah. If you went to the Kushnet Town website, um you go to the Council on
Aging Department and then um from there there's a a drop down menu with uh the newsletters listed. Okay, good. >> Okay, we have Wala Law. Did I say that correctly, Malikica? >> I think you did. Welcome. >> I think you did. Welcome. Yeah,
>> okay. Personal uh um attorney, >> estate and elder law. That's going to be Thursday, July 16th. You get a 15minute one-on-one consultation. Just call the ACA to make an appointment. This might be kind of important for a lot of people cuz I've been hearing some things about
these reverse mortgages and all that and people lose their homes >> and they get these really good stars to go on TV and say they're wonderful and I don't think they are. I mean, that's my opinion, but but I think it's just a quick way for the bank to get your house. >> That's right. That's right. Right.
>> But I have to tell you, he will also talk with you about estate planning, >> wills, trusts, power of attorney, >> um, healthcare proxies, nursing home planning, asset protection, probate, and estate administration. So, you know,
those are all important things. Again, there are flyers and it's also in the newsletter. You know, I would like to add that I did add that specifically in there because that is his forte. um that was to kind of help with screening of appointments because um he only has a
limited amount of appointments that he's able to do in within each setting. So, he just wanted to make sure that they were appropriate candidates. >> Um and then it's also important to mention too that um this is more of like a um if you have a question, you can bring it to him and he
can let you know if this warrants further um evaluation. It's not meant to um necessarily like solve the problem. >> Exactly. Thank you for I my brain is supposed the wheels were turning um but more so or if it's something that he's
not able to handle then uh maybe referring to another um um agency that would be able to to assist but specifically um it seems more of the the um future planning is what he's he wants to focus on. >> Perfect. Good.
>> All right. We have excuse me this is very popular. The inner water color class will be on July 15th. It's al was on July 1st. Uh it's $10 per person. Uh it's at 10:30 a.m. Uh again on on July
15th and registration is required. Improve your hearing complimentary hearing screening. hearing aid cleaning video ear exam I don't know Fridays July 10th and August 14th from
1:00 to 3:00 uh telephone uh the Christian council on Asian at 508998280 to make to schedule an appointment lunch trip the old grist mill tavern complimentary transportation you're
responsible for your own meal limited seats are available and registration is required and that's going to It does not say >> I'm sorry I messed up. >> That is Thursday, July 16th. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> At what time?
>> Um, usually we ask that everyone's here for about 10:30, but when you sign up, Jan gives all of the um the information, but usually I think Marcel likes to be on the road by, you know, quarter of 11 depending on where um where they're going. >> Okay, perfect. Uh nutritional
demonstration will be Wednesday, July 15th at 12:30. There'll be late refreshments. Are those the ones that like you have to hold them down? >> Yes. >> Registration is required. Okay. Let's talk about the Aushna Consolon Aging Travel Program. This is
real real uh popular with everybody. So if you planning on trying to go on any of these trips, please try to make your your uh registration early. First, we have Captain John's whale watch tour Thursday, August 13th. That's $88 for
that. Now, does that include any kind of transport or they just >> That's the transportation to Plymouth and the the Wheelw Watch itself. >> Okay. Oh boy. Lost Roll and Cruise at Cuppy's Boardwalk. That'll be Tuesday, September 8th. And the price
for that is $82, which is probably what a lobster roll cost now. at least half. Yeah. >> The Springfield Fair is going to be held uh the uh trip is going to be held September 24th and that's $72.
The Fall Foliage Mystery Tour October 8th, $74. And everybody's favorite, Foxwoods Casino, except for when that's going to be November 12th, and that's a cost of $43.
Okay. So that being said, do we have a motion to approve the new business? >> Motion to approve. >> Okay. And seconded. >> Who who's who approved it? >> De and then >> Okay, that's approved. Now, information or questions from the board?
>> I I do have a question. Um, we don't talk about transportation um with Marcel and Roger to doctor's appointments and um maybe that should be put in here. And um I just wanted to say
and correct me if I'm wrong, but people if you have a doctor's appointment, you have to let the council know at least a week in advance. >> And your appointment should be in the morning because that's when Roger and Marcel drive >> and drivers have to be back here for 12:00. >> So your appointment should be like maybe
9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, and then that's about it because if you're at a 10:30 appointment and it goes to like quite past 11. Yeah. So yeah. So um so for people >> in the audience what they need to do is
call a week in advance, >> talk to someone at the desk and if you forget the times that you are available, they will remind you. But the answer might be no because maybe um other people have an appointment that day. That's why you do it a week in advance.
And I thought that that should be in there. So should I start putting that on the agenda? >> Yeah, absolutely. That's good potential. >> As far as how far that will travel, currently right now we'll go as far as Fall River and wear him. Um we don't do any like Boston trips or anything like
that. Of course, >> it's very important that you call at least a week ahead because if you call a day ahead or on that day, >> every everything's already booked. We can't help you, right? >> And we do uh Friday grocery trips to Truisies every Friday. >> That's nice. Good idea.
>> Anyone else? Okay. Um, yeah. My mind just went blank. Wait a minute. Give me the same thing. It's funny. I had a dream last night that I didn't know anybody. >> Lauren mentioned that we just put five
new air conditioning units. I want to talk just a little bit about the heat this summer because we've already had almost record breaking heat. It went up to 100° at one point or a little bit over, I think. Yeah, we had one. >> And and heat exhaustion and heat stroke are a very real thing. So, don't go
outside without a hat on and drive down the street. It's, you know, try to stay cool in the air conditioner and drink plenty of water or Gatorade or whatever it is that you prefer. But I have a feeling that the the heat is just beginning. It's not even middle of July yet.
>> We have August to go through. >> Yeah. >> So, please, you know, be mindful of that and we don't want anybody having to go to the hospital with heat stroke. Is this place a cooling center? >> I was just going to mention that. >> Good girl.
>> Um along with the um the fire department, the library and the police department, they had put out a memo during those uh record-breaking uh heat days that uh we are a cooling center. Um along with the library, they have a little bit of a different schedule. I believe that they're even open on the
weekends. Um so there's multiple locations in town. The police department also has a um for lack of a better word, a community room um that they were also opening the doors um to the community. So if anybody is ever in need of >> if they were older people and they
didn't drive, how would they get there? >> Um so I would call um probably the non-emergency um line for the police and they could probably set up a um you know trans if >> we weren't open. Um if it was a Monday through Friday 8 to 4 and we were here, we could try our best to um accommodate
to to pick somebody up. But if it was on a weekend or after hours, um of course if it is a medical emergency, call 911. Um but if you have time to um start pre-planning, um calling the non-emergency line for either the fire department or even the police and um
they would help assist. But that's a great question. >> All right, great. Anyone else? I guess we're all set. Okay. Uh let's see. Please visit following websites. The Kushnet Council on Aging, the Kushnet Library, the Kushnet Cultural
Council, which can be found on the town of Aushrushnet website. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, August 12th, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. right here at the Kushnet Council on Aging. And do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Seconded.
>> We are adjourned.