So, we'll call the meeting to order. It's the Town of Air Council on Aging Board meeting, Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 at 2 PM. This meeting will be held in person at the location provided on the notice. Members of the public are welcome to attend this in-person
meeting. Please note that while an option for remote attendance and/or participation via Zoom is being provided as a courtesy to the public, the meeting/hering will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast unless
otherwise required by law. Members of the public with a particular interest in a specific item on this agenda should make plans for an in-person versus virtual attendance accordingly. This meeting will be recorded live will be live on Zoom. The public may access the
proceedings by joining the Zoom meeting ID number 375 4146055 or by calling 9292056099. For additional information about remote participation, please contact Carly
Antineellis, assistant town manager, ATM atair.mma. us or at 978-7728220 extension 100 prior to the meeting. So the meeting will be called to order.
Um before we do an approval to the agenda, I'd like to make two amendments and the first and we're mending because we're going to be looking for a vote and the first is on the November 11th meeting which is the second Tuesday.
So we make an amendment to discuss whether or not we're having it, cancelling it or those types of things. >> November 11th day Veterans Day. Yep. >> Yep. So um and the second item is to
vote is a vote to support and send a letter for the um select board the and the finance committee and the capital improvement committee with support of the new senior center and
that type of thing. that we may actually will if we do agree to do that, we'll probably actually spend part of this meeting drafting and figuring out that letter since time is of the essence on that one. >> Um, I didn't realize the the timeline
until I just saw everything put down and a lot of that came from the director's report. So I was like um so those are the two amendments that I have to >> and madam chair if I could ask for a third
>> the um I went to the transportation the 10 and nine meeting >> I guess when was this probably late August I guess but in any case just kind of an update on >> okay >> where things stand with that >> perfect um
so >> you can insert that wherever conveniently Is there anything else to be added to the agenda or taken off the agenda? Does anybody have any comments or whatnot? All right. So, if not, um, I'd like to
take a role for the voting purposes of that. And Cheryl, >> I vote I. Yes. >> Um, Madam Cher, I Oh, I uh I move I move that we accept the agenda as amended.
>> Okay. All right. Well, um, Dennis, >> uh, well, we need a second. >> I second it. This is Cheryl. >> She did. >> Oh, Dennis. Marge vote.
>> Um, yeah, I get the vote. I will vote yes with questions. >> That's fine. >> Yeah, >> that's fine. I believe is we can just go through the items to discuss them. Cheryl, >> I vote I. Yes. >> All right. And Mary votes I. All right.
Um >> All right. So now we'll like to review and >> and approve any of the previous minutes. Yep. >> Any comments or anything on those or >> So, did everybody get the uh June 10th,
July 8th, and August 12th minutes? I had email. >> Yes. >> Yes. Um, and I know that Marge had uh edits that she wanted for the
for those. So, I made I believe >> I had made those before, right? >> Um, they're gone. >> No, I didn't I didn't change the July I didn't make the edits to the July 8
meetings after I got your email. They were just spelling ones, right? >> What's that? >> They were just spelling. >> No, it was um you have wanted some edits regarding >> that I had neglected to include you and
those who had voluntarily chosen not to assume an office. >> Oh, yeah. Because I just said right out I was fine not being in office at this time. Mhm. >> So, did you want to provide an edit to
that or did you want to give me some wording that you would feel comfortable with? >> Well, I think when we went around the table and we asked for guarantee, it was I was pretty direct. I did not want
>> right >> and office this >> this year. I was trying to look up that just get my copy of July or what's >> July? >> I just think instead of saying I was
doing nothing for collection. >> Find it. >> Yeah, I'm looking at it now. So, >> I'm looking for where the minutes include I have June up. I don't have
>> they were in the same email. >> Oh, okay. >> Okay, good to know. I think we had it under the clerk. Cheryl respectively declined to serve as an
officer at this time. I think >> correct. >> We're just looking to put the same thing and probably before anything is that Marge respectfully declines an officer position at this time >> for this year. >> Okay. >> But this year
>> we So here's the here is the that was concerning to you the election. Sure. and your your concern. >> Yeah, I just don't see
>> I >> because you put in about >> right that's right and this is the email that you sent. Yeah, but you put in about shareholder. >> I think if we go up to that first point underneath that where you said discussion was held on the necessity of
certain board position. If after that we add >> that Marge respectfully declined to accept an officer position for this upcoming year. >> Cher respectfully declined. >> Right. >> And I think if you just put Sher and Mar
>> All right. So Cheryl and Mar respect. Okay. >> Yeah. because you make it sound like I did nothing. >> That's how I react. >> I see. >> Okay. So, with that in mind, >> I would just put that up there.
>> Just put chairman. >> So, are you good with that edit or do you want to see it before we approve them? >> No, that's in Okay. And I when it's posted. >> Okay. >> I'm good. >> So it'll be
>> But that way I feel like I'm at least >> totally >> still active. >> Well, you're always active. I do. I do. >> But that made me feel like I was being active. >> I do understand where you're looking for that acknowledgement that you
>> I am a part of the board and I have been active. So >> all right. >> Okay. So for the June 10th, July 8th, and August 12th minutes, >> yeah, then I'm going
>> Are there any further edits? Um, >> so we'll look to take >> a vote on the July the June, July, and August with the amendments as ne has as
noted. Do I hear a >> second? >> I make a motion to accept the minutes for June, July, August. >> Okay. Second. All in f all in favor. Now we'll go through the roll call. Cheryl >> I state I
>> okay >> Marge >> I >> Dennis >> I >> Mary is I as well >> okay >> all right >> perfect um public input >> I guess there isn't anything >> all right um before we head into the
director's report do you do we want to accept um talk about the three amendment items Yes. >> Okay. So, uh, November 11th is the second Tuesday of the month. It is also Veterans Day,
so it is a holiday. So, the center is not open. So, I'm looking for board input on what they want to do. Do they want to just forego that one month meeting or do you want to try and reschedu it for another day?
>> Madam Chairman, just some input. I'm not available another day on Tuesdays or other days because of my work schedule. So I would suggest deferring that. Um >> so um >> we have >> okay this just occurred to me I'm
comfortable just deferring until December. And the reason November is going to be the >> busy. >> Yeah. But the um so the building will have been if it moves forward the
building will have been voted up or down as of November 4th >> and that will give us some period of time to digest the meaning of that and the ramifications for that decision. Um because I anticipate that whichever
way the vote goes um that will be topic A, B, and C for the next meeting. Mhm. >> Um, so I'm I'm comfortable waiting until December to kind of get our heads around. >> So, is that is that a lumpy way of
saying you second it? >> Yes. >> All right. So, if we take a vote, Cheryl, are you in favor of it? >> Yes, I am in favor. >> Marge, >> I. >> Dennis, >> I. >> And Mary is I. All right. So, we will
have no meeting on November. Well, you're just accused of being longwinded. >> No, but you did that. So, >> it sounded like >> I guess just for point of order for me, do I have to notify the town? Do I have to put up anything
>> since this is a standing meeting, if you will? Hey, >> just >> it's a standing meeting, but it's not um >> it's not like statutoily >> standing required. So, um I think if you
don't post an agenda, then there is no meeting. >> Okay. I just wanted to make sure. >> Um but I didn't have to do it. Um, I mean, you you could post a meeting agenda and then cancel it if you wanted
it to be super thorough, but I don't think that there's any need to do that. >> I didn't say cancelled, >> right? >> Yeah. You know, yeah. No, I'm said I'm good with it. I just wanted to know whether or not procedurally there was something that I needed to do that I
wasn't aware of. Um because I think it's probably going to be more discussion on the build the letter >> right >> and the vote. I think we'll go right now to the transportation and Chann um yeah so the meeting um was held uh
there was quite a um there was quite a turnout especially remotely um and um a few takeaways um it seems to be the consensus and and building out transportation
infrastructure that it's more important to be reliable and consistent than it is to try to expand a service before you have the resources to service the service. So um
it's important I I think as we try to look to ways to improve transportation availability and air that it's the reliability and consistency of the service that is paramount. um whether it meets everyone's needs all the time is
is less critical to this long-term success than if it reliably consistently does what it says it's going to do. >> Does part of that also go to usage? I mean obviously is is if you have something that isn't used
>> frequently or consistently or whatnot. I mean that also lends itself to that reliability of it. Yeah. Is there some way >> and the and the consensus is that um for rural areas or for for more rural areas
or less densely populated areas, shall we say, that ondemand service is preferable to fixed group service. that fixed groups tend to
um end up being less available to the people, meet fewer people's needs, are seen by the population at large as being >> inconvenient or or not meeting what they're looking for. >> And is air considered that rural less
densely populated area? >> Um not as much as the other not as much as the other participants in in in Chin 9. um um who you know Winchon didn't guard her out out that way. >> Um
but what I would say is that these are just things I think that as we look to the future that we keep in mind. >> Okay. >> Um to the extent that you can have an ondemand service that meets the needs of the population, you're more likely to
get kind of positive public feedback to it. um if you establish a fixed route and few people are using it um and it's kind of inconvenient to get in touch or people can't access it when they need it
um then it loses its public support and and reason for being. So the long you know ultimately if you have a reliable ondemand service people will be willing to pay for it. If
you have a fixed route service that only a few people use, the public support for the funding for that becomes more imperel. >> Um, and again, I think where we're at now is is is, you know, it's
we're done well in expanding the services that we have available in terms of the transportation, but it, you know, take the next step. These are things that we should keep in mind when we're kind of looking for what kind of fund do we want and and how do how are we going
to design that service. Um it looks like the Emerson shuttle, you know, it it was acknowledged that it was poorly, you know, attended. Um whether or not it would be able to, which is an example of a fixed route
service. It's a it's a fixed route, but it's not a fixed route in the traditional sense where a fixed route is going to many many places and many people could access it from its many stops. Do you see what
I'm saying? So because it only has one stop in air versus like if it was truly I mean it is a fixed route but if it was truly like a fixed route within town you would have as many stops as you would have a
quarter mile around those stops for people that were really easily accessible. >> Yeah. And you have more pickup at the hospital >> because people want to get out of the other point. >> Yeah. and not wait an hour, >> right? Yeah. So, there's five Yeah. five
pickups a day at the hospital. So, yeah, >> there are roughly like an hour apart. Yeah. So, if you miss one, you got to wait. Yeah. Some other things just to kind of and again these are just kind of thoughts to keep in mind as we look to the future that the transportation
a lot of what other people in the region are doing not only involves seniors and the disabled but workforce development and and just kind of people who don't own cars to the extent that the transportation system meets the needs of
all of those. you obviously have a you know more public approval for it than you know this is this is the senior center or this is the senior transportation service. You want to try to create a service that is available
and accessible to all. Um, and part of that is going to be around the funding issue because if you what is it funding which would then require disability access which would then require that quarter mile
um radius. Um it it makes it difficult to plan those things sometimes. >> So you may want to look at other alternatives that don't have to comply with those certificates. Um >> I can see they're dealing with the king
and um >> yeah and people getting to work right >> there was a a uh a woman who I want to say was the code >> uh quall connector which there are to the extent that you're able
to kind of link other towns or if you have a fixed route that it goes beyond a single single town it's more likely to be successful >> um just because we got to get more people using it. >> Um >> okay >> the problem there is that the
complexities around funding where's the money coming from who works for who? Um it requires a lot of leg work and a lot of detailed finances so that everybody is um paying and and taking advantage of
the service. >> Yep. This maybe you may know Catherine who I think was the representative or she evidently has left Mark. >> Oh, >> she was the woman who was at the meeting the meeting that we Yeah. Yeah. So, she
is no longer with Mark. >> I don't know who will take her place, but she seems to be the go-to person for >> Right. Yeah. >> Um mark issues. So >> okay. >> Um and they are continuing to work on these
application software. You'll see are calling I don't know. Um and the mobility master plan, the Department of Transportation said that its mobility master plan will be coming out soon.
Um I did not die down to find soon. >> Mhm. just because I think they need to get a okay >> any questions or >> does this does the channel 9
transportation this particular group meet every month every two months every three months every two months so like the next meeting would be >> October >> yeah well they might might schedule yeah it should She said something about late September
that I think I >> All right. I'm just trying to make sure that if we have an update, we get it on the agenda if there was that sort of like that fixed bus route. Do you have a fixed meeting schedule? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> You know, so to make sure that >> we get it on the agenda. >> Yeah. >> All right.
>> So, if you if it is going to be late, let me know and I'll get it on me. >> I think I saw an email that said their annual meeting was early October, but I don't know if that's the organization as a whole or their mobility workforce which is what we've
been attending. >> Um >> just let me ask so we can get out the >> I was trying to figure out how to put it in there. But if I can get one so it's it's standard on that that that would be fine. >> Thank you, Dennis.
>> And is it do you enjoy going to meetings and do you find it worthwhile? um they are interesting to attend. I I think that given that we are the eastern most >> town um
you know and the fact that we are >> um we have the train stop here but I do I do find it intellectually I do find it interesting to listen to >> the concerns and the issues that are coming up. We also because of our
attendance there um there's some information about grants and loans and just kind of doing the people you know glad handing face to face kind of stuff which may put us in a position to just be aware of things um which would you
know be all to the good. I think that um air would benefit from and specifically the seniors in town would benefit from some additional transportation services especially around medical um visits,
appointments and how we do that. Just some ideas about how we might be able to do that efficiently um you know might come from these meetings. It's it's a worthwhile endeavor for >> or at least not have us lose any
>> Yes. >> services. And it's I think it's good to have the town be represented at meetings where money or future resources may become available and how
we can get our hands on it. >> Sounds good. >> Good. Thank you for going to those, Dennis. I think it's important. Yeah. >> Yeah. And they have the other thing is um and and not to be too mercenary about
it um they do have free coffee and donuts. They do put out quite the spread there. They do >> and bagels with cream cheese and stuff. >> Do you get lunch? >> No. No. >> If I'm still Yeah. If I'm still there on lunch,
>> these meetings will be a lot less fun to go. All right. All right. So, do we want to talk about the court of the letter or do we want to do the director's report first?
>> I think the other Let's do the director's report first. Okay. Yes, I can read it. >> All right, there we go. I can kind of go through this. Hopefully, everyone received it and had a good had a chance to look through it. Um, so for August,
there were 125 unduplicated. So in 125 individual people who came in to um for our programs a total of 720 uh three times the average daily attendance and I want to put like an
asterk by average daily attendance. Average daily attendance is the average number of people who attended on a Monday. the average number of people who attended on a Tuesday. It is not um
like there's no good range for it. Does that make sense? >> Um just the way that it's uh calculated. So >> uh these statistics of course don't uh count the 13 meals on wheels clients and the 70 van riders because these are just
programs. Um and then following our discussion from the last meeting, um I broke down further what those 125 people did when they were here in the building for programs.
>> Um >> we were just Dennis just he was looking at this and he's like, "Oh, it's up there." >> Oh, it's up there. Yeah, I know there. So um so unduplicated statistics are unique people, unique users. Duplicated
is how many times those users came. So for example, um if someone comes in one time and has one lunch, that's one unduplicated and one duplicated. But one person who comes in
and eats all 20 lunches would appear as one unduplicated and 20 duplicated. >> So for instance this the classes/workstropped there were seven unduplicated people and only those seven were the seven that attended
>> right. So there was one there was one program that fell under the category of classes and workshops for uh August and so that had seven attendees and that was a one-time thing versus if you look at
um there were 14 people who attended arts and crafts classes a total of 26 times. >> Yeah. >> So you could say that almost everybody came to two art classes. >> Yep. Some people will have come and I I don't actually remember how many we had, but um I'm going to guess I had two
based on that that that same group of people. It's it doesn't necessarily mean each person did exactly the same thing, but that's what it works out to. >> And like the fitness and exercise, it's like they each came >> multiple times, right? Yep. >> Yep. On they came on average three
times. Um but that might mean some people came once and some people came six times. But when you look at it that way you can see it's a selective doing something multiple times a month. >> Uh so uh for nutrition for example 66
older adults ate a total of 297 meals. Um that's I think an important statistic because for example our dining room seats 24. It's not the same 24 people who are eating at our meals every
day. It is a total of 66 different people who ate 294 meals. Uh for van trips, 33 people went on 48 like they went on trips a total of
48 times. So people went, you know, one and a half times, you know, some people went once, some people went twice. um 26 people did 87 recreation activities. Same thing, you know, for social events,
you've got people coming multiple times. The special event, um I'd have to look back and I don't remember what it was, but that's clearly one that's like the classes and workshops. It was a one-time thing. And then special groups is a one was a one-time thing as well. So, um,
that comes up to that number, this 125 and 723 adds up. It's the same number as up here at the top. So, and just to point out these numbers here, 147279 do not add up to 125. But these are
unique users in arts and crafts. The unique users are duplicated and unduplicated within their category. Right? So if someone comes and has a lunch and an arts and crafts bus following it, they will be a unique user in each of those categories. But when
you look at total programming, they're one unique user >> because they came to two different kinds of programs. >> Does that make sense? >> Yes. Okay. >> Uh let's see. So several special programs in August. uh brain health,
Zenangle. We went to Mount Wuzette Community College to see Greece, did a senior center building update, an ice cream taste test, Instagram tutorial. Uh we went to the outdoor concert in Shirley. The beach bus went to York Beach and Supper Club went to Act and
Seafood and we unfortunately canceled trip to New England Botanical Gardens. Uh couple of things for outreach. We added um last month we added a suggestion box. Um there were no suggestions in the box this month, but there was a whole host of things in the
suggestion box last month. Um I added that to the report because I thought, you know, that might be really interesting to see. Uh I mean, I'm not going to transcribe it in there, but um just to see sort of what the general um the general suggestions were about. Um,
and let's see. My favorite one was the desire to have steps that connect the senior center to the overcode parking at Bernie Park. That won't happen, but I I feel the sentiment. Um, >> and >> that's because I mean, I've parked down there three
times and to walk all the way down the front, >> which has led me to either crawl under the fence or jump over it, right? Neither which is desirable. for a man at my age. Um but um and yeah, so it would require the
cooperation of the recreation department and the housing authority and >> N Park has it. >> What's that? >> Ner Parking Actton has >> I see. >> So you've been to Ner Park. >> Mhm. >> As the seniors go to a concert
>> they have it. You can walk up and down stairs. >> Do they also have a ramp? >> Cuz I would imagine that would also kick in. >> They have a small hill that you can do a wheelchair easily. >> Yeah, because I would imagine that if
you did that that would kick in. >> Yeah, but they have a very slight >> and I think the difference is at Narrow Park is that's all one piece of land managed by the same department of >> the same department of recreation. in
all of air park. And then here you've got >> three different >> the state and the town and you've got article 97. >> The pond is separate from the soccer and
the concert area. Totally separate parking. >> Agreed. Separate parking. I'm saying it's the same um it's the same agency managing though is what I meant. Um, >> it's all it all falls under parks and >> if you look on the actual parks and
website, it shows all the beach >> the beach and the beach and the field and the concert area all managed. >> My kids don't go there. >> So, um, you know, so some the point being that some of the suggestions are things that are um short-term actionable
like better cutlery. Um, we had a bad order for cutlery and it was a little flimsy. Uh, we have since remedied that. Um, but I appreciated the suggestion. >> Um, you know, so the a range of things. I hope people continue to use it. Um,
it's always a a good opportunity to see what people are thinking. Uh in terms of more formal outreach services, um we provided um 29 older adults, a total of 55 social service interactions in
August. Um as has typically been the case, financial counseling, housing concerns, and transportation difficulties, and that doesn't mean scheduling rides. that means difficulty navigating transportation issues um continue to be the most frequently
sought after assistance and then you know there's the whole list of other ones that had something in them. >> Um and then obviously there's scores of additional like simple referrals that are just phone numbers given out that you know we don't log those um these are
more involved interactions. So, uh, in terms of meals, as the chart said above, we offered, uh, a total of 294 meals to 66 older adults. Again, that illustrates the variety of people that are attending
our 24 seat dining room. Uh, 144 meals were delivered in August to the 13 meals on wheels clients. And, uh, I anticipate that number to hold kind of right where it is. our numbers were higher um but
due to funding cuts with um with MOK there's now a weight list and we don't control that weight list that belongs with MOP and um but I don't anticipate there to be much fluctuation on that um
let's see just found it mildly interesting that you know 52% of our monthly participants came for a meal many of them came and did other things too But you know the meals program is is very popular here.
>> Yeah. So just the the 66 adults 294 it's like four meals per if everybody was >> um that's a lot. I mean some people are eating I'm assuming
>> so so that just that's that's where I find data to be super interesting. So 66 people eating four meals. We couldn't actually it would be hard to accomplish that in our 24 seat diet, right? So it
spreads out. Um some people eat more meals, some people eat fewer meals. Everyone comes from a different situation. Some people are relying on our meals to be >> the the main meal of the day, >> the main meal of the day. Some people are coming because they enjoy doing a
program that's before or afterwards and they couple them together. It's more of a social thing. Um some people come when they like the particular menu item because they know that they're getting it at full market value. So there's a lot of different reasons people come in.
Um, but I do I sometimes get the sense that when folks aren't involved in our senior center that they think we're only serving 24 people here because there are 24 meals um, 24 seats in the dining
room. And I just love being able to illustrate that's not the case. We're seeing over 100 people in the month and, you know, 600 for the year. So, um, all right, let's see. Um, thank you again to
all of our amazing volunteers. 16 of you worked a total of $161 hours valued at $2,200, almost $2,300. Um, and as a reminder, uh, I know the kiosk is was went down right when you you guys came in, but for
meetings where you are, um, a volunteer for the senior center or a volunteer for the town, check in as a volunteer. >> If you are attending a meeting as a senior, then or as an older adult, then
you check in as a participant. So, um hopefully that distinction is is clear. >> It's up on the leftand corner. >> Yep. Yep. >> Yep. Um all right. So then in terms of the building committee update, um
continuing to make progress. Do you want me to do this now? If it's not a separate agenda item um on Go ahead on this one. So you put it in I always runs right into it. So I fig just keep it on. >> Yep. Yep. So, um, the committee made another round of revisions to arrive at
the current concept, which is 13,000 square ft and 15.1 million. Um, the town is um, committed to this project. It's been in the master plan for quite some time. We've made a couple attempts to
get it forth to the voters. Um, but they are proposing contributions from capital stabilization and UDA funds. Uh in addition to, you know, some grants that already received and submitted, uh the goal is to bond no more than $10 million
for the project, which um at an updated cost would cost the average air household $143 per year for 25 years um based on the current tax rate and the median air home value in air 500k,000.
>> Thank you. Um so the committee um visited the select board last month and received conditional approval for the select board to place the project on the fall town meeting warrant um contingent upon successful meetings with uh fincom and capital planning which is scheduled
for tomorrow and Thursday. So you guys are all welcome to attend those meetings. Um public outreach efforts are underway and uh we have scheduled four public information sessions um two in the day and two in
the evening to reach the widest variety of interested voters. There'll be a townwide postcard to be mailed out, an older adult specific mailer, uh a social media campaign, a video about the current um senior center conditions, and
a new websiteeniorcenter.com. Check it out. Uh the goal is to provide ample opportunity for the public to learn about this project and to make an informed vote um both at falltown meeting on October 27th and on election
day. So air senior center.com even going forward will you continue to use that or could you continue to use that? >> Um I'm unsure. It will be in place until
the hopeful uh ribbon cutting for sure and then um but normal departmental functions are supposed to exist on the town's departmental website. They couldn't just be a link off it to
>> that's a conversation that's in progress. Um, >> oh like air senior center.com >> since that's already out there and taken for us is could that continue in the future so that it becomes it has its own
separate >> site that you can put things up easily versus going through now because is the library considered a town entity because they have their own they're >> they're perhaps the friends VR senior center
could take over the domain name and then operate. >> Yeah, they certainly could. I think that's it's too early to tell what would happen with it. But in general, the senior cent's operations are supposed to
happen on the town website. um because that way it is the clearest, most transparent, most easily reviewable um and editable format for everybody. So, um there are
there are exceptions to that. The library is not technically a town department, but it does receive town funds. So, there's the gray area there. And then um park center rec has kind of moved away from that a little bit because they're using the my recre software a lot more but it is still
integrated. You still start at the town website and then link off of there. So I think it's to be determined. >> I'm sure other things involving as well too >> and you know I think it's one of those things too where technology evolves
>> faster than procedures evolve. So like the capability of the town's website >> is really limited compared to an openly sourced website. So that's why air senior center was created was so that we
could simply and easily display just the information and the town's website the way it's formatted and you can't like I can change everything on our website but I can't get rid of the calendar on the right. can't get rid of the things that are left, which means content really is
only going in third. >> So, it's just a lot less flexible. >> Is that the one you're presenting tomorrow night, the um senior center update that cost
>> the Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> that I can get behind. Yeah, that's the that's the latest update. Um it was that building committee did that about a
month ago, right? That was the update I gave at the um at the one that we did here. Um the cost per year. So the the 15.1 has been the same for about month
>> month and a half um or so. and then I had to wait for the treasurer's office to rerun the most updated bond numbers. And so that's how that number became 143. >> And then I think it's important to note that the
the bond that we're seeking that is up to $10 million is up to up to $10 million. that's likely not to be >> to the extent that you can borrow less >> right >> due to changing circumstances of >> materials or labor
>> or design changes. Um you may indeed >> because it's important to note that the when it goes out to bid the the cost estimate that we have now is on the middle of the bid range. So
the number that we got from the the cost estimator >> was let's say it's >> let's say it's $9 million for the building itself >> not including the landing. >> So but that's the middle of the range
which by definition means that he would anticipate that there are going to be some bid or a bid lower than 9 million. >> There will be some that are higher than 9 million. >> The middle of the range is 9 million. Um, but we would be unless it may well
be the case that we would be in a position to take the lower bid. >> Why? >> Because it's required by law. There are some >> I think it's actually state law that you're required to take the lowest
qualified bid and so it's if it's lower but lower for reasons that are not responsible, right? Like if it's not complete, then you don't have to take that. happens the lowest qualified. >> There's got to be a clause in there. Yep. >> Because >> and and just to clarify, I think it will
be helpful for people to hear if they want to attend FinCon tomorrow night or capital planning the following night because the charge of the building committee is to design the building and to get a cost for it. And then it is the job of the fincom to determine if the
town can afford it, capital planning to determine how to allocate money towards it, the select board as well, and then the people to to vote and decide if they would like to spend that money as planned. So like for example um you know
the number 15.1 million >> is a is a result of what the building committee created like what they planned the 143 number doesn't >> didn't come from us like did not come from the building committee that comes from the town's treasurer right
>> um and the bond council. So it really becomes this um collaborative effort now at the town level to figure out how to how to get how to pay for it. So and that will be there will be a ton of detail on that at
the finan capital planning meetings in the next two days. >> Right. No, I just look at people around my neighborhood that uh I know houses are going under the market >> and they're looking at their taxes going. >> Sure. And that there that's one of the
things that will be presented is a a forecast of >> what this amount plus what else is expected plus what else to get a total picture, right, of what what that will do for taxes next year. not to just look at it in isolation. And again, that's
something that the treasurer's office um has been working very hard on to get so that everyone can be aware of. >> And one of my neighbors said, "But that was only for the first year." And I was like, "I think it's more every year." >> So that is actually a descending bond,
which means that 143 for the first year is the highest amount it will be and then it will go down um each year after that. Uh, I would have to see the schedule of values to see, but it might be 143 the first. Don't quote me on
this. No. And then it might be 135 the following year and then 100. It may go down by $5. It may go down by10 or $15 a year. I don't actually know. I just know that it's a descending bond. It will decrease each year. And by paying the highest because the idea behind the
descending bond is that by paying the most into it upfront, you Oh, we lost Sher. um by paying the most into it up front, you are reducing the overall amount of interest that you're paying. >> And it's important to note that the
>> the bond is for 20 well these numbers are based on a 25-y year bond. >> Yeah, they building, >> right? But the building is is designed to last 50 to 75 years.
That is once the town has paid off the bond on the building and again it's not preuse because you have operational cost and you have maintenance costs >> but it's not like after 25 years we tear the building down and do it again.
>> Right. >> Right. I mean the $10 million bond that is used to pay for the building. >> Right. will then for the 25 to 50 years after the bond is paid out still be f helping to finance those services for
the uh the residents of the town. >> Yeah. >> But no, I mean that's just what I'm here. >> Yeah. >> So, and I've got neighbors with college kids who people that I know, you know, retiring next year.
>> And that is out of town. That's the beauty of Massachusetts, you know, town meeting style government is that everybody gets a voice in everything. >> They don't necessarily refer to town meeting, but they've come and say,
>> right? So, I would encourage anybody with opinions >> for the project, against the project, whatever it is on all issues to be involved in your local government because that is the place where you have the most. >> But they vote. They vote. And so that's great.
>> Yeah, that's wonderful. >> Um, so um I I I truly believe in the democratic process and I believe these are the steps we're at right now where we're designing the thing that we think is the building that we think is best suited to meet the needs of older
adults. >> And then it goes through the vetting process with the town to make sure that it is affordable and viable and all of those things. And then it gets put to the voters and they will decide. The voters will decide. Um so I hope that
again whether people are for the building or against the building that they get involved in the process and um let their opinions be known because that's >> y best way to do it. >> All right. >> Uh anything else for the building up?
>> I think that's good. >> Okay. Uh, in terms of transportation, um, the senior center, we had 70 riders this month and a total of 443 trips. Uh, I left the same caveat in there from last month. I think we're seeing a
decrease in medical rides in the last um, few months or so. Um, some of it I think is in July and August a number of physicians are on vacation. um clients,
you know, older adults are on vacation. So, it may be that it may also um be increased use of PT1 for folks who are eligible for Mass Health. You can get free um rides to your medical appointment. It's called the PT1
program. And um it could be that people were using the COA van instead of PT1 transportation. maybe they were comfortable using the same service that they used to get their haircut and to you know go shopping and stuff. Um but
now that the transportation needs to take them to another hospital system and they have to work around our more restricted I mean we have a lovely open schedule that services 11 towns but that in but if they need to go to 11
Pittsburgh and they can only get there on Mondays they may have decided to make better use of the PT1 transportation system which I think is ultimately a good fit right using the services for what they're intended for um alternative
transportation coordination or it could be decreased medical access. I don't know that I'm going to be able to answer that, but those are things that I'm speculating may be in play here. Um the interest in the evening errands, it's
it's modest. Um I was sort of hoping we would have more interest in it given how many people anecdotally asked for extended hours. So by errands just meant grocery shopping and >> right
>> uh so now with a second driver we're riding offering transportation 8 am to 8:00 p.m. So um we don't have a lot of people taking evening rides. We've moved some of the afternoon shopping um a little bit later in the day. Um I
wouldn't say that that's made it more popular honestly. Um, do you think some of it is that it's summer, it's still light out and that's, >> you know, and that'll change as it gets darker? >> I think as it gets darker earlier it will change and also um
I think it may be a different clientele. >> So expanding the programming may not matter to the group of individuals that are regular riders right now that are in the habit and the practice of riding during the day. So,
um, that's one of my goals for the fall is to make sure that we are doing the right kind of outreach for people who think that they can't use the COA van service because it only operates at a time that doesn't work for them that
they know that we do. You see what I'm saying? A whole set of people that we're missing out on. >> What constitutes evening after three, after four? Um, it's somewhere in between 3 and 4 and it depends upon the day. It's whatever makes a logical time
for Sam to stop driving and Donna to start driving. >> So, somewhere between three and four. >> All right. So, we want >> So, rides between 4 and 8. So, if we've got um >> they don't want to go to the grocery
store between center, etc. Well, well, like I said, I I think it's it I think it's been helpful in that we have been able to start doing some medical appointments in the afternoon. It used to be that it was pretty much the vast majority of medical appointments were happening in the
morning and shopping was happening in the afternoon. We're able to provide some more flexibility now for people for afternoon medical appointments and we're able to move around. So, we don't really have to say no, we can't take you. Um,
now it's more like I can't take you to the post office at 1:00, but I can take you at 4:00. Whereas before, if Market Basket was running from 1 to 3 or 3:30, we wouldn't have taken someone at 3:30
on another errand because Sam needed to be off the road no later than 4:00 and usually preferably a little bit before that because there's some end of day paperwork that needs to be done before he's done at 4. So now we're able to say, "Oh, you know, the day is booked
up, but we could take you at 4:00 or 4:30 right before the post office posts at 5." So >> no, I'll be interested to see how going out to eat, going to the movies. >> So there's been great interest in that
and the that social programming has been successful. And so, you know, it was has always been my goal to increase capacity for those things. So um and in the summer it's quite easy because there's a lot of summer concerts, summer things
going on. >> Do people know here or Pleasant Street they can just book to go to Chinese or >> Yeah. So that's part of the outreach I think needs to happen. I mean it's in the newsletter. We've talked about it.
Um but doing some really targeted like did you realize you can do this with the van? word of mouth. >> Yeah. Without supper. >> Right. Right. Yeah. I mean, that's always been the case. Like, we have some people who like to go to a particular
pizza place and they will probably every other month book the van >> and that was during the day to go to that favorite pizza place for lunch and come back again. Um, it can be it's not just for medical rides, it's for errands, it's for shopping, it's for
social visits, whatever. >> Yep. >> So, yeah. So, there's I think work to do. Um, I'd really like to go all the way through the winter and into the spring with the plan with the services as they are right now before I really
evaluate whether or not this is working. >> Well, it also gives you a whole year worth of data, which is really what you need to make. >> Is there any on Saturdays or Sundays? >> No, not right now. It doesn't mean that there can't be. And I can like so for example, one of the things um we may
provide transportation for the Newton Street Festival. Um we may provide it for the Harvard Market. Um we always have somebody working for the Rotary Club Chicken Barbecue. Um but that's more of a event specific than open. I'm
just thinking, you know, direct medical appointments or therapy appointments or or grocery store trips or um you know, whatever that may occur on a Saturday during the day. >> And that's you know, I think I'll I'll wait to make the decision, but that
would be one option would be to say rather than doing five evenings a week, maybe it's fewer evenings, but then there's weekends, but I'm not ready to make I want to really see this part through. But what about a sign on the band saying, "Did you know you could
book to go to Chinese?" >> Yeah. >> You know, I mean, don't got to become, you know, bored. >> Yeah. Um,
>> friends and go to go out to eat dinner. I think that's a and you know that's the next phase is really making sure that the outreach is publicity is where it needs to be >> that they know they can
>> um and then you saw this laundry list of events ending up volunteer and advocacy opportunities. I'd really like to draw attention to two of them. >> Um the first is on September 19th uh the Pleasant Park picnic. That's I think our
third annual >> third annual Pleasant Park picnic. Um I did discover that um I think Shirley is having a cookout on the same day. So it may not be as big of an event as it um >> you got a little signed up.
>> Yeah, I I haven't looked at the numbers today to see but it's um >> it's in the 40s or >> Okay, great. Great. So that unfortunately happens to be um the office of economic and community development planned a meet the town of
air event from 10 to 11 that day that I need to be at. So I'm going to ask um for volunteers. Typically we've started set up around 10. What I'd like to do is get a couple of volunteers to help closer to nine to set up the tables and
then people can leave after that. Um at least the tables and chairs piece. Um, and then I'll go to my event and then the volunteers can the um Mary Ellen and Denise can come closer to 11:00 and
start setting up the other pieces of it. Uh, and then I'll be back about 11:15. The music will start at 11:30. Uh, lunch will be at noon and then um the band is going to play for 2 hours. So, the music will stop at 1:30. So,
Uh, it is the Apathetics there. They play a wide variety of music. Um, you can just sit in your porch, Dennis, and L. Right. There you go. >> Yes. >> Um, >> we need more apathy. That's exactly what we want to be selling.
So, um, they are going to be playing some lowkey in the background kind of music from 11:30 to 12:30 and then from 12:30 to 1 when people are done eating it up the food
>> uh, iloro no I just >> I bios sorry yeah the the Italian place over in it's going to be chicken farm and lean
beans and I forget what the starch is. Mashed potatoes probably I had to guess. >> Pasta, right? >> No, no, it's over pasta. It's over pasta. >> Not from not from kilos. >> Pasta. Yes.
>> Um, so it should be a good time. And that's always a I mean we've left out great weather the last few years. Um, so I could use some volunteers if you want to do physical paperwork to set up around um 9. Um, assistance serving
around noon or cleaning up around 1:30. So uh you're going to have to let me know right now, but if you can um let me know. And then the other um one is October 11th there is uh the friends of the air senior center are offering are
doing a booth at the Harvard flea market. So um I'm looking for volunteers both to donate items that would be sold for the benefit of the friends at the booth as well as day of um help. So, um,
the setup will begin around 6:30 because early bird admission starts at 7:30. >> Um, general admissions from 9:00 a.m. to 400 p.m. So, if anybody is an early bird and wants to help with the setup, um, transporting things over to the site,
helping set it up, um, if anyone can help, the friends will be in the booth all day, but if anybody is able to help assist them in the booth, that would be great. And then um with picking up any unsold items and bringing them back to
the senior center or to one of the friends houses, I'm not sure what they're doing with that. Um at the end of the day, so I could use help on both of those days. >> Um I'll be around on the 19th. I can come but not probably until 10:15.
All right. Thank you. Yeah. I just looked at our schedule right now. I was there for the table set up last year and the tables weren't there. It's my recollection. Right. And are they the plastic folding tables?
>> So will be those tables >> and then and these chairs. So maintenance will bring them over. >> Yes. >> And last year it didn't take too long between you were there. I think Dennis and Jeff
were there and Denise and Mary Ellen and I and then uh the two housing guys. It didn't take too long to get the setup >> and we'll see if Ed was there. Yeah. Yep. I can't volunteer a task, but I think if the most people
can help get the structure set up, then yeah, I mean, I can probably I can probably get there from 9:00 and help with the setup. I got to be out about 10:00. I can go back. >> Okay. >> Closer to noon, but I do have something I'd better do in the intro
if that works for you. >> Yeah, I think that would be that would be awesome. Thank you. Appreciate that. >> Um, so yeah, so that is it for the director's report. >> And I can help with clean up. >> Okay. Thank you. >> But not tables and chairs again.
>> And you know, they'll bring housing will bring them back over again. We just have to organize them up against the edge of the parking lot. Um like wherever we found them, we'll put them back there. Yeah. And it's not a it's not a crazy
amount but tables and chairs. It's just so >> Yeah. Just as long as it's not the big I think last year they also used a few of the heavy tables, the long ones, the heavier H coffins tables.
>> They had like eight people at a table, the longer ones. I think they were these tables here. They were the bingo tables. And there was a few of those other >> there's there were there was one that didn't fold in half because that was my personal table. >> Yeah.
>> But there weren't any because they don't have any others. >> All right. I had a few of the other ones I thought because they were pretty some of them were pretty awkward to drag over to my recollection. >> Okay. But I I don't know. >> All right. Um
>> I'm not putting him on. >> I'm trying to think that the big the big one that I have is from a four lifetime tables learn that build their tables. >> Um but these tables fits portable. >> No, I didn't. No, it wasn't these. It was kind of god awful. >> They were long the ones I
>> Yeah. you know, like was like the eight foot pop stated >> cardboard ones that are heavier than hell. They got the ridges on them. >> I remember where those came from cuz we haven't done those. >> I don't know where they're but I saw
they came. I don't know them >> because are those enough tables? >> I think so. I think we had I think we had Yeah, we had two or three for serving
including the square ones and then there were like six six of those tables. Well, we'll work out the logistics of it. >> Yeah. Just just Yeah. Yeah. >> So, yeah. So, I'll be there for like 9
like quarter or 10 probably and then >> I'll come in. >> I'll come back about 11:30. Y >> thank you. >> All right. Um >> you need canopies in the tent. Let us >> Yeah, I will watch the weather. There's
um the senior center owns one and I own one. >> We have a big one and we have a small one. >> We'll just depend on the on the weather. Um that's part of why I do it this time of year is you know in September is that usually the sun isn't
Okay. And we put two tables and one table. >> Yeah, we're record. Okay. >> All right. So, those are the two things. Um, Newton Street Festival, you're all set with.
>> Oh, yes. I'm sorry. Newton Street Festival. That was the other one. Is that on my list? >> No, it's not. >> Yeah. So, Newton Street Festival. Um, I do actually need helpers to put that on because I am out of town that weekend.
>> So, I am going to need a complete team >> to um Marilyn's like, "Yeah, I'm not doing that by myself." um a complete team to set up um that should be I'm hoping largely
manned by the building committee um with support from the counting and the senior center staff but I'd like the building committee to really take the the lead on that one but if you guys are available to stuff I
help. That's 10 to three. And I believe the setup for um >> we're non food vending uh boos is at 9:00 a.m. I think if
you're selling food then um if we're selling food then we can get in earlier but so all right. All right. Okay. Okay. So then the last thing, not the
last thing on the agenda because one of these weeks, one of these months, we do have to get back to the assessment. Um, >> but I do want to talk about a letter in support to the >> um
to the uh >> the select board but also too is is I think whether it's to the select board or whether it's to the three of the committees um the financing capital planning committee is it two or three.
So is it is it select board? So finance and capital planner are in the same committee. >> No, that's what I thought. So there would be three letters. >> I thought they were. So it was just the way I was reading it. So those three letters I said whether it's written to all three committees, the same verbiage
or whatnot. Um basically saying that we have taken a vote and that we are in support of the project. I would like to include some of the um I was looking at it and I happened to
pop into um UMass has a healthy aging collaborative site that has an infographic um that I found that was really kind of interesting that had a lot of information on it. Katie's going to pop it up here,
>> you know, on on what it is, you know, sort of Why would you leave where this these types of things um and that type of thing? I don't know. But I guess it's first of all before we
go further is to take a vote to see whether or not everybody is in support of sending this letter. >> Well, and from the Council on Aging to those three committees basically
saying we are in support of the senior center. >> Look how dark the terror is. >> Yeah. >> What does the darkness mean? >> Community rates of 60 plus individuals. >> Oh, that can't be right. There's no one
there's no one six. There's no one older than 60 living out in the western along the New York border. >> Well, I think I'm sure there is. >> I think I think the idea is >> that town. >> Would you live up there? I would not. But
>> I think some of those I think the white areas are towns that didn't provide information back. >> Oh, okay. Yeah, >> that's a different thing. All right. >> I that that is my thinking. >> No, she clarified that. Yeah. >> What's that?
>> Think of the snow. Do you want to get out there and snowb blow? >> I mean, you know, it's sort of, you know, 1.6 people in Massachusetts are over 60. That's 24% of our population >> and anything you read and whatnot is is our population is aging. So that number
is only going to grow. >> So I think that and that actually is pretty indicative of the town of air too, isn't it? Isn't it about 25% of the town of air is >> Yeah. So they 25% of this of the population when you look at adults
>> what percent of adults are over 60? It's like 40% but of the total population. Yeah. >> So I think I think one letter is to all three committees. >> But I don't think the committees have made their decisions. >> You're talking to the members of the
committees. >> No, they have. You're right. They haven't. Which is why we're looking to >> they're like undecided. Sure. >> But I guess this is >> this is sort of why I'm thinking that you know a letter in support from the
council on aging to those three committees and it does sort of have to be done today because those meetings are tomorrow and are tomorrow and the next day. So, would the goal be to read this letter of support during
public input for the meeting and then submit it to them? >> I don't know. I don't know what the answer to that is >> because I think it would be most impactful if this letter had come in before they deliberated the issue.
>> I don't disagree. I don't disagree. Like I says, I think it crept up on all of us. >> Yeah. before we thought about it and yeah, you know, part of the reason for the open and the discussion is it worth it or is it worth it that we as
individual individually as residents in the town of just send letters and I don't know those answers. That's what I'm sort of having the discussion about. Well, I think it it it would be appropriate for the Council on Aging as being the advisory committee
for the senior center >> to officially weigh in on a matter of such public policy import. Um it would be odd if the Council on Aging did not,
you know, take a particular stand on this one way or the other. So I think it is incumbent on us as as members of the ad, you know, the citizens advisory committee to the senior center and to the the staff at the senior center that
we weigh in officially on on what our views of it is. Um I think it I think one letter to the three that is the contents of the of the letter should be relatively short and direct and and um
and maybe have this kind of information as an addendum to or >> that is an attachment. I think if we this kind of information is valuable it's important for those committees to have >> but I don't think we can put it inside
the body of the letter because >> it's not it's not town specific either. So yeah, you know, >> and it becomes too, it becomes overwhelming to them. >> Um, you know, having sat on the building committee, you know, for well, I've been a couple of times now for a lot of those
folks. And I know the finance committee will want to dive down into the um the nuts and bolts of the financing piece. that is they will want to just see how the money is going, where it's going to go, how they can afford it, and
that will be the gist of what the finance committee will be looking at as opposed to the clinical justification for why this is good social policy. So I mean are we looking at it more from a from a committee basis is are we looking
at it more from that clinical support that justification of it as opposed to is you know that >> yes I think that what we want to say and again speaking for myself what I think it is it is important that the committee
say agent that we as the advisory committee to the senior center who have been following these matters of the needs of seniors etc etc etc.
In in our view, in my view, um the town critically needs a new building which can meet the current and future need of the senior citizen population in air that the money that we the size of the
building is consistent with. That is this is not an exorbitant expenditure which goes outside the bound the bounds of what is commonly held to be you know within the the range of the services that are being delivered in town after
town in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Um, for air to do otherwise in my view deprivives the residents, the senior residents of the town of Air deprivives them of particularly important services
that will improve their quality of life, that will increase their ability to stay in their own homes, that will make them healthier, that will decrease the amount of isolation that they have to endure. I think that all of those things are true.
Um, and we as a board should let the world let the other committees in town um know that. Um, >> okay. Now, I'm going to play Dennis. I just want to
>> because Wait a minute. Hang on, Cheryl. I I lost you that there for a second. I just want to make sure I've got the It's like couldn't hear you. I'm not I'm not putting her person. I'm just trying to make sure we >> can hear. >> I'm sorry. my internet. >> That's way better now. Okay, thank you.
Sorry. >> I I apologize for um my absence for a few minutes. My internet went out and it's back on. So, let's I just wanted to say while my internet is still on, Dennis, well put I would add present
value. It's the construction costs today are going to be less than 5 10 20 years out. And I think if we as a board present that um fact along with our
endorsement of the social and and um the the reason that the town needs a new senior center, I think that will also help um the the it's it the concept of present value is difficult for a lot of people to understand, but it essentially
means your money today is worth more than it's going to be worth in the future. Um, and it's going to cost more with less money, with less value going forward to build a center. Um, and I absolutely agree with Dennis's point and I'm rather than repeat it, I just agree
with it and I would support endorsing this project and I think it's our duty as um the board of directors to support quality of life enhancements and aging in place enhancements for the seniors of
air and the surrounding towns. So, I I apologize for the interruption, but I was afraid that my internet was going to fade away again. >> Okay. Thanks, >> No, I'm just going to be the devil's advocate for a minute. And Katie, you know what I'm going to say. I saw the
figure today made me a lot happier. But, um, >> sorry, which figure the >> 15 actually I think it was 143. Yeah. No, the 15.1.
>> Um, and I have talked to Kurt. I've talked to a lot of the board me. Um, and I know we have a fire engine coming up. I know we have other things that the Fingconom's
worrying about. Um, and they're taken into effect, too. And I know what the seniors are talking about here every day. And even though you say, "Yeah, they can
get to the senior the new one on the bus and come back after lunch," they're like, "That takes half our day." Or they can come for lunch and come back at the end of the day. >> They're like, "There goes half our day."
Um, it's I see people looking at the plan. It's beautiful. And I give you that. It's gorgeous. Um, and people are saying, "But if I need fire truck at my house or I need the
senior center." >> Mhm. I don't >> choose in between >> just a point of clarification and I'm going to make sure I want to make sure I'm listening. >> But I don't think anyone's asking voters
to choose between them. Each capital expense gets voted on >> individually, right? And so each person should be voting on what the value of that item is to themselves, their neighbors, and their community,
>> right? >> But it isn't like But it isn't like you can only have one or the other. I just want to be careful about the positioning of that. >> There's one going up. >> A fire engine is coming on.
No, not at not at this town meeting, but >> on the back. >> It's always for upgraded safety equipment, though. That's just a given in a town. You're always going to have that come up. >> So, I I think that the conversation is
is that is we as the Council on Aging board of directors have a specific charge. how other town department needs or other
capital planning requests for me do not enter into those deliberations. I as a taxpayer may have some concerns one way or the other. In this case, I do not frankly,
but I could see where a taxpayer may ask those questions. We as a board are charged with attempting to advocate for and pursue resources in an effort to improve the quality of life for the
seniors in the town of air. >> But I'm hearing the seniors that are here. I understand that >> and that's what a and they think >> and everyone will get a vote on the floor at town meeting and at the ballot.
The question for us, the four of us here in the absence of Robert, >> is do we as a board support the current proposal for the new senior center as it's been laid out um you know by Katie and and through the work on the building
committee or not? That's what that's what that's the question we are charged to answer. Um there is a current proposal that is going to be brought forward to the finance
committee, the capital planning committee and the select board. And I think we as a committee should notify those committees that we as the board of directors support that our proposal. >> So in order to do that, I have to turn
my bad on the seniors that are here. >> No. What what we're doing is my proposing is that we take a vote and send a letter. >> It would be nice and lovely to have everybody has a unanimous
vote. But if the if there is a majority rules, >> the members who are in agreement with it >> will sign the letter or will be entered in on that letter. And and typically in
the minute like not typically always in the minutes it should reflect the votes. So there is a public record like if it's not a unanimous vote people are able to acknowledge their descent. Right. >> So, so given that it given the the the
the charge is to the charge of the COA board is to advocate for the needs of older adults would your position which I I presume is
leading up to to descent like that's the assumption I'm making. It might be wrong but that's what I'm assuming. So is your stance that this building and its level of services meets the needs of older adults? >> People don't like the design.
>> Mhm. So, so you feel like this build, but that's that's what I'm trying to really clarify because So, you feel like this building, this space, and the services we can provide here are doing a great job meeting the needs of the 2,200 older
adults in town. >> They feel like they're not listening. >> No, I'm asking you. I'm asking you. I'm asking you though. >> Yes. >> You do. You feel like this building is sufficient. >> It meets
what the seniors wanted. >> Okay. That's that's what I wanted to clarify. So you feel like for the people who are using it today, it meets their needs and so you don't you don't feel the need for for a new building.
>> Um I feel the need Katie, but I feel It should have been talked with what they wanted to. >> Okay. Yeah. I just wanted to I wanted to clarify where you were with it. So,
thank thank you. I appreciate that. >> Yeah. So I am putting making a proposal that the board of council on aging sends a letter in support of the new building to the select
board, the finance plan finance board and the capital planning committee. Um does anybody second it? >> I second. All right. So, so there is a motion on
the floor and there is a vote. So, we'll go around and take a roll call for the vote. Cheryl >> I. >> Marge. >> Dennis. >> I Mary's an I. >> All right. So what is the majority of
that too is so I what I would like to do then is take the next few minutes and sort of hone in on some of the language that we will use in the letter and then um figure out also how we will present
the topic to >> those three boards. um and that type of stuff. All right. >> Well, I I think that we can say um
>> actually we haven't haven't had a whole lot of time. >> No. something to the effect of um the C board would like to express our strong support for the current proposal for the new senior center
as outlined as as described in the work of the building committee. Um and and both those committees have seen in detail the the finances, the building architecture and all the rest of it. So they're very much aware.
>> I guess I'd rather stick more towards that. I'm getting into the weeds with it, but that >> we're in that the majority of us are in support of the proposal that is before
you that we that's going to go to town rooting and those types of things that we're in support of that, right? that we feel that that is a necessary component in the town of or something along those lines without sort of delving into like the building committee or
>> you could talk about so you're making a statement of support >> y >> for as propos like the >> yeah as presented by the building committee >> right >> and then you say the the importance of a senior center and I'm just trying to get
the main pieces a statement of support >> the importance of a viable vibrant senior center is AB C and D and therefore the ask at the end is we
encourage you to vote yes to support >> this going to the fall town meeting I think it really can be >> you want as simple as possible >> right as as short and sweet >> and that's my thing today by a vote of three to one >> a committee vote
>> I will be there tomorrow night so Yeah. >> And I think, you know, I think it being transparent is important and you know, so um >> and Kurt knows how Yeah. You and I have talked quite a bit. You know, another another point that I
think it needs to be made, and I'm not sure if this letter is the appropriate um way to document it, but we also need to think that we want to keep quality workers like Katie at the helm. And by
having a modern, efficient senior center, we're going to attract capable and resourceful professional people to serve the population of air going forward. >> But I think that's getting very long, Cheryl. I think you just
>> long, but it it needs to be somewhere stated that we value people like Katie and the work that she does. And by endorsing the center, we're also endorsing maintaining that level of professionalism and advocacy for the
seniors in the town. And that just I I just need to say that. >> So I I I think that's a good point, Cheryl. So if you're if you're talking about the statement of support and then the importance of the senior center, maybe it could be a bulleted list of things that are important about a senior
center starting from the benefits to seniors. Um, sorry, I'm forgetting my language. The benefits to older adults. Um, and then broadening out towards the end in terms of there's a couple of community benefits that we've
acknowledged and then including, >> you know, the the >> the maintenance of recruitment or the value of um being able to have high quality professionals that serve the needs. I think that's a that's one I
would not have myself put in. Um >> well, that's why but that's why we're here to say it >> can read that. Right. >> Right. uh because I do think that's part of the broader oversight of the COA >> because I do think it is difficult
um it will be difficult to keep qualified professionals in this environment going >> I think that it's abundantly clear and I actually I was just talking to some folks at the show valley fitness who live in Littleton and have time in the
town and coming here and I >> just asked you how does you know you getting any feedback on the new Wilton Senior Center and and um it was generally it was quite positive you know they're loving the new building but I I
think that and I don't think that this would go in the letter but I I think that the town ought to be aware that in the absence of a new senior center that is without
the town of air and especially the senior citizens who live there, their quality of life, their standard of living, the availability of service to them will decline over time >> and will be seen as grossly deficient
compared to the neighboring towns. >> I strongly suspect that people in air would not want to be considered grossly deficient >> in the kinds of services that they provide for the seniors. Um, so you know I I mean and and that point
was driven home when I guess the visiting nurse of whoever it is wrote that letter. >> Oh, the shine counselor. Yeah. Yeah. >> Saying that she had been in I don't know 20 senior centers or 15 senior centers. >> Yeah. >> And she pointedly said that this was the
most >> by far the worst one. Yeah. >> Yeah. By far the worst one. Yeah. So um and obviously that is something that we would want to rectify by the new building right. >> Yeah I mean
it is difficult to provide financial services or even that shine >> counselor type of appointment in this facility. Um you know sharing this room this room
is used for that. This room is also used by the air housing authority. We use it for taxes. >> Um there is no privacy and that to me is a real disruption and shame that the
seniors don't have that privacy to have those financial issues. >> Um >> financial issues, health issues. Where do you do where do you do your well checks? I mean, >> out in the open. >> Yeah.
>> Everybody hears what everybody's blood pressure is. >> Yeah. >> So, >> I've never heard one. >> I really have. I That's probably more of a reflection of your interest in ease on other people if you're not interested in
it. But there are lots of people who are and they do. >> I've never heard. >> Do they compare numbers? >> They probably do. Sometimes they do. >> Never hear one. >> Thank god it's not your weight. or your age. >> No scales allowed, >> but it could be.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Um so, so is the goal to have a letter for the meeting tomorrow? If so, um I'm happy to sit with whoever's writing it or I'm happy to write it since I have a device
here or >> um Yeah. Sorry. >> I mean, the commit the the board has >> has already voted on that. >> Okay. And we've got input from Dennis
and Cheryl. I know Cheryl, I know you have your hardline commitment. >> Is there anything you want to specifically see in the letter that you haven't said yet? Um, I think that by having a modern senior center with it with great professional staff, it will
enable the seniors in air to age in place and that's a huge goal. I think that could be understated. >> Yeah. >> All right. Yeah. So, I guess we just have to nail down the rest of the wording on that.
And I'm I'm happy to help with that, you know, after the meeting. >> Okay. >> I think one, you know, one page, half a page, you know, nothing >> definitely not really lengthy. Not everything really lengthy. >> Um,
but that type of stuff. >> All right. >> Any other anything? Yeah. Anybody have anything else? So where table the assessment we're going to table the assessment
where where are we in that on that what what remains to be done what >> on the assessment we have like three or four left >> we do >> yeah I think we've got three four >> three
or five and six >> did we do three >> three >> no three is the next one that's >> four Five. Six. Why does six have nothing in it in my binder? Seven is done. >> Seven's done. Is eight done?
>> Eight is not done. >> All right. Boom. >> Yeah. Nine is done. >> Yeah. So >> So there's a handful. They're about half there. >> Yeah. that we just have to do once we I think once we can really start looking at them and focusing on that and sort of
trying to to sort of wield in some of the other pieces we can sort of just move along >> and what is the so after we have completed that process what is the next step like what would we do with that completed information
>> well I think it's sort of it's got to be put together and looked at as a whole and it's really nothing it's more for what do we see want coming from it? Um some of obviously some of the deficits
where it doesn't look for us to be that national standard maybe because of the building because of what we can't do physically within the confines of it. Um, as far as and that
will depending on what happens with the vote and the building committee is knowing that we'll never be compliant until we can meet some of those other standards. >> I think it would set you guys have set
strategic goals. You set them last year, >> right? And but they were mostly related to how you guys as a board will operate. What I would see coming from this would be you guys looking at what are the action items from each of these modules
and you might set forth goals for me as a director or for the center as part of your strategic goals. So >> for us as a board >> and when it so at the end of the day does the the
entity which created that assessment tool >> look at our scoring or send in a third party to look at how things are and then we get a certificate on the line. >> So yeah so we're we're nowhere near getting that now right. The idea was to
I know right. The idea was to get a baseline going and then at some point in the future if we were actually trying to get certified, yes, that is indeed what happens. We send it in, it gets evaluated, we meet the criteria, we don't we get a big thing like the like
the plaque that hangs in town hall um you know for the police department certification. >> Same thing. But that takes a long process because if we were like I said at school when we got a credit >> it was a yearong process.
>> So we it's going to take us about a year to >> but I mean I mean it was a year long and it's observations observations observations >> I I I'm not exactly sure whether all of that is included in this. I don't think schools and senior centers operate in
the same way but >> um we could look into that. I know they're rebuilding this this year um this tool. So, um you know, I don't think obviously not this year, probably
not next year are we going to be in a place where we're going to even begin to think we could be accredited. So, so we are using this tool as an in-house self assessment. >> That's true. >> Yeah. >> At some point the entity we we may want
to reach out to the entity that created that >> to look for their information upon the work that we have done and then we get them the foam and the plaque and the gold. >> Right. So, this is an official process you go through with them when you are
doing it for real. But our goal was to do this for our own self assessment as well as to document where our strengths are and where our weaknesses are for what we can and cannot achieve in this space.
>> So there's it's operational, it's space, it's a baseline, it's setting, it's informing strategic goals, it's all of those things, >> right? But I wasn't I wasn't thinking about contacting the NCOA about our
>> No, not that. And knowing they're redoing it, I'm happy to hear that because some of the way those questions are worded. >> Yeah. >> Um, you know, and some of the questions, it's not necessarily a black and white yes or no. >> And to be able to add that caveat in
there as to why it doesn't do it. And I said also too as I said it I think some of them those are built for senior centers that are not part of municipalities. >> Right. Right. In every state it's a little different. Yeah.
>> But I will say once you are accredited it it falls in place every >> Sure. Yeah. There's yeah different different standards for before during after and you know some people choose to maintain it the accreditation each year.
Some people say I've been in graduate once therefore you know I feel like I have achieved this accolade you know it's not um I'm not required to be accredited as a center of excellence in order to operate a senior center whereas
in education or um in police you're required to be accredited >> to operate like that's not this situation. So it's it's quite different in that respect. Um it is more of like a standard of excellence like am I in the
top percentage? Am I practicing nearly all of the best practices um versus am I meeting a minimum standard you know for for operation so I'll take a motion for the meeting to
adjourn. >> I make a motion. Um, Cheryl, are you in favor of joining the meeting? Marge? >> Yes. >> Dennis? >> Yes. >> And Mary is yes. Thank you very much. We
will see everybody in October.