signal. There we are. Wow, look at us. Important there. That was nice. That should have been recorded. No switch. No switch anymore. I think I think we look very impressive
in our new building. I think we Oh, we've always been impressed, but now now we're really impressive. Well, this is um August 11th at 3:00. The CO8 board is now in session and um I
would like to say as my first time as chairman, I sort of screwed up. I didn't get the agenda out till last night and I'm sorry for that, but I was just doing things and completely forgot that Marge isn't doing this anymore and it's not my
job to do this. So, I'm sorry for the late paperwork going out last night. What? I almost called you. Well, you know, anytime you call me when I'm screwing up, it's perfectly okay. Well, I was like, well, I don't I don't want to get on.
You learn that way. Could you kick him, please? Do you believe what he said? We're not repeating it on live TV. No, but I will get even. I know. I know that.
Okay. So, um we'll start the meeting call to order and um all members are present and we do have a quorum. Um, we have to remember this is open meeting and we have to follow the open meeting laws
which we're all really familiar with, but um, it's always worth repeating. And this meeting is recorded and we're now public on TV. Mark is doing a very good job. So, first I will ask if there are any
announcements from board members. Yes. Um, we attended our C meeting and flu clinics and COVID clinics are coming up. So, okay. I do believe what Liz will probably be putting into the bulletin, but
they're they're around the bend. Okay. You don't have dates yet. Um, we do, you know, September, October. Yeah, there's two. There's two scheduled. All right. So, we will I'm sure Liz will post it in the Yeah, we'll look at it in the
broadcaster. Yeah, it's through the U town nurse. She is attending our meeting and we're very pleased as part of the search team to be able to staff it again. Nice. Yeah. Very good. Yeah. One will be here and then I think
the other one will be at the school. School. At the school. Okay. Good. Yeah. Very good. Yep. Thank you. Anybody else? And there are now two um food little food shelters to put food in. One is at
the Baptist church and the other one is here outside. And feel free to put any nonproduce in there any and if you need food, please stop by one of the two and pick up whatever you need.
Correct. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Anyone else? In case anyone's wondering about the microphones, that big circle is the microphone. Oh, okay. Impressive. And very impressive.
Very impressive. Yes, it is. I'm like, we're missing microphones. I have a question. When the um bluegrass band is in here, is that microphone on? No.
It probably making enough noise. Is it on to so that we can hear the bluegrass people that are singing because we have a small mic that they put a small mic up but the individual person who's singing a song with all the music you really don't get
the words. I didn't know that was there was I wondered how does that work? If they want to sing into our microphone we can set them up easy and then it will come from the ceiling. Okay. All right. Cool. Little bit there. And if you haven't
attended one of the blueg grass jams, you want to do it. It's fantastic. Oh, really? They do a fantastic job. Okay. Um, the minutes of June.
Has everybody had a chance to read them? And are there any questions? And if not, I would entertain a motion to accept them. Accept the minutes. Second. Okay. Motion by Marilyn, seconded by.
Any further questions? Then I'll entertain a vote. All in favor? Switching to the wrong table. And the friends report. There are no friends here today. Did they send any anything in, Liz?
Okay, then we'll go on to the director's report. I think my laptop is picking up the audio. Is that what it sounds like? Is my laptop picking up the audio? And
it's plug it into a turn. Try to turn the sound off. Okay. Plugged back in here. All right.
Before you do that, Liz, I would just like to recognize um we have the public here today, Mr. Rob Rouse, and we welcome you to come to the meeting and just wanted to recognize that you were here.
Okay. All right. So, I'm going to talk just so Mark can hear, but it doesn't sound like it's echoing anymore when I'm talking. Was Was Did you have that unplugged for a bit? I unplugged it for a minute. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Probably shouldn't do that. So, if I unplug
See the big camera and then Yeah. Um, I pull up a blank word doc. No, it has to do with the audio in the closet. So, okay. Yes, troubleshoot. Pull up a blank word doc. Okay, that'll be great. All right. Thank you, Mark. Sorry for the interruption. No, we're learning. This is our first
time. Are you our very first time? I just wanted to be on camera. Okay. So, as always, I will start off with our statistics for the previous month. So, in July, our highest ever, ever, ever
since I've been here in 20 since 2018, um 2211 signins in one month. Um that just blew us away from last last July 855 signins in a month. Wow. Wow, we are huge difference.
We knew it was coming. We knew we were going to big difference increase, you know, 30 to 40%. And this here it is. It's happening. Um, fast. Yes. Uh, transportation is remaining the same. Our outreach interactions are
about the same. Um, still just very busy trying to learn the building and learn the spaces that are available to us and what fits where. Mhm. Uh, speaking of the building, moving on from the statistics, you might have
noticed around the floor, lots of blue tape throughout the entire building. We're having some flooring issues. Um, so we have, you can probably notice all of the seams on this marmolum flooring are um, buckling in this room.
Multi-purpose 2, program room one, program room two, reception, front door, lobby, every room that has this flooring. and the fitness room. Um, all of the seams are buckling. So, we had the installer, the builder, and the flooring manufacturer come out um a
couple weeks ago. They sent back, the manufacturer came back out, and they believe it's probably um an issue where the glue dried prior to the uh flooring going on top of it. Oh. So, the installer has committed to
repairing all of this and doing it over the course of several Saturdays so as not to interrupt our programming. So, that's one that we're rectifying. Um, other little things have been going on. Ice machine
firmware wasn't up to date. Had to do a service call and warranty call for that. No big deal. Um, there was a water leak upstairs in the second floor women's room, but it wasn't actually the women's room facility. It was the spigot on the
external wall spraying back into the masonry going in through a weep channel back into the building. It really looked scary when you first when I first saw it. Sure did. It was like, oh boy, here we go. Yeah. But it got rectified so quickly that day.
Yeah. So yeah, we shut the water off, got it cleaned up. Um, and yeah, the builder is coming to work on that issue. Um, did I miss anything, Abe? Anything big? Building issues. Uh, nope, that's it. Just we can't use that water
up there until the issue is resolved. Yeah. So, if people are coming by to water the outdoor plants and the raised garden beds, they'll have to come inside to fill. Um, they can use a janitor's closet to fill watering cans for the time being um because we don't want any more water
coming back into the building. Um, and then lastly, building things. The sink in our staff bathroom stopped turning on completely. So, that's also another service call, but
things happen. We'll work out the kinks and getting through it. We're learning a lot. We're learning a lot. A lot more than you thought you were going to do, huh? Yes. Yes. Yes. And um that reminds me, two other small issues if you hear about it as board members. Um one piece of equipment in the fitness room, the LCD
display is resetting. Working on that. Did a warranty service call. They're shipping a new part. They're going to take care of it. It's under warranty. It's fine. And um on the Botchi Court, for those who use the Botchi Court, uh the sediment that they laid down, there's some larger rocks underneath it
that are emerging now. Uh working with facilities and DPW to get some new sediment laid down. I'm not sure quite what the technical term is, but fine rock particles
will be coming down. So that will be resolved. We're working on it. Keep telling us all the issues you find. We'll get them fixed. Everything's under warranty. Just give us time to correct them. Um, okay. Next on my list, I don't know
if everyone saw it, but parked at the very end of the row here, our brand new electric van is here. Got delivered last week. Yay. It's beautiful. Um, it's a um fully electric wheelchair van. It's got the
wheelchair lift, six seats on the inside. Um, beautiful display inside, backup camera, whole nine yards. Comes with software so we can track mileage, speed, location.
Um, it's truly quite a vehicle. Um, um, and again, this was through a mass dot grant. So, it's about $115,000 vehicle that we only had to do a local
match of about um $24,000 for this brand new 2025 vehicle. Yeah. Very, very excited about it. It's already outfitted with graphics as Littleton Elder and Human Services with our phone number. Matches the color
scheme of our other vans. It's quite nice. No. Are the drivers able to use it or do they have to do any training before they can use it? Um, everyone's going to get a little bit of training. Um, there's definitely some hesitation because it's a brand new
vehicle and nobody wants to drive it and get stressed. I'm not going to make the first step. It's a little scary. Um, but yeah, we'll we'll do a little bit of training. We're still in the process of getting it
registered, insured, all of that. Got temporary plates and I'm learning a lot on how to register a municipal vehicle because this is our first time getting brand new vehicles since I've been here and you'll have to check it out on your way out. It's parked beautiful.
Tried to park it as far away from all the other cars as possible. Um, it did come with a charger that, uh, we're going to, uh, mount on the side of the building down past the kitchen over here with a lock box. So,
the energy coming in from our solar panels, which powers the building, will also power your vehicle. Wow. Yes. And I talked to LWD um and Connor Rearen, their sustainability sustainability manager, and this building is using running all
on the power that we're getting from the solar panels and giving back to Really? Wow. That's amazing. That is. Yeah. Not giving back a ton, but you know, we still have to But even if it was just sustaining, it would be a big deal.
Yeah. You know, that's awesome. So that uh the electrician is coming tomorrow for that um quote for getting the charger mounted down by the kitchen. Um and that will be just for our vehicle. It'll have a lock box um because we can't have public charging
powered off of our building. Um and then what else is on my list? I think I think that about covers it. Covers it. Any questions? Not at the moment.
Oh, senior tax work off is still filled. 100 participants. Umund4 100 households. It's about 114 participants. There is still room in veterans tax work off if anyone is interested in that program.
I mean that fills up fast. Really does. We're so so lucky in Littleton to be able to have the services of the seniors to do all the things that they do to help everybody. It's really such a great program.
How many have signed up so far? It's 100 households and 114 participants. So, married couples. And how many do we have signed up already? 114.
And I have think one person on the wait list ready to come in in August. That's impressive, too. It really is. That program grew so quickly. When I was when I was It started when I
was in the assessor's office, we had a hard time getting 60 people. I know. Look at it now. It's just grown so much. Yeah. Benefits both the citizens and the benefits lift.
It's a great program. Um so do we want to have Amy get up and talk about her um assistant report to the podium? Yes, please. Super official. Okay. So you can be official.
All right. So, um, at the end of July, I sent out applications to the people that had participated in the Tread program last year and anybody that has reached out over the course of this past year
um, expressing interest in the program. So, 21 applications were sent out to 21 different households um, for them to complete the application for the Tread program. They are due by September 30th with all supporting documentation.
Applications received after that date will not be considered. So again, this is for the Tread program, which is tax relief for the elderly and disabled. It's a program that is solely based on donations through members of the community that want to help um elderly
or disabled folks afford their property taxes and remain in their homes for as long as possible. So, this would help avert some of those costs for them. Um, and did you add to the application like you did last year where they have to go to the assessor's office? Yes.
First to make sure that they understand tax deferral. So, because we're not in the same building anymore, I'm meeting with them first. Okay. And going over and seeing what they qualify for. And if they do qualify for any other tax exemptions based on what's
put on the assessor's office website, I will complete the application with them and make a copy of their tax returns to submit. Okay. One one thing with the um tax deferral this year, the uh selectmen are
going to put um an article in for October that's going to raise the income limit from 55 to 72,000. Yep. To match up with the senior circuit breaker tax credit. Right. So if it if it passes in October, then that will work on the 2026 bills.
That'll be perfect. So that's a good that's a good step in the right direction to help. Yeah. The other program is our state and you can't really change those. Yeah. You got to go with the Mass General that when we can. And we're also going
to make it so that it's agrees with the circuit breaker each year. So if that goes up, our amount will go up. That way it doesn't have to go to town meeting every year for public. Right. Then we don't have to do it every year. Makes sense. But thank you for
making sure that they, you know, see all the exemptions of what they may or may not qualify for. It only makes sense. We want to make sure that they can maximize their Yeah. what they're eligible for. So, um, the other thing I wanted to speak on briefly was a small grant program, which has
been a huge success. And if you recall back in what was it February, Sue, that the affordable housing trust and and Maren, our town planner, had applied for a grant um that can be used for our critical home repairs or home modifications.
Um the grant was for $120,000. We have until the end of FY26 to spend that money. To date, we have received and approved 14 applications and we have our 15th
going for approval next week. Um the grant was originally intended to have people receive up to $7,500 towards these types of costs um for home modification or for critical home repairs. So if everybody utilized that
7500, that's where the 16 households will came into play. it could potentially help 16 households, but if people receive less than that because the job doesn't cost as much, then we can help more. So, I believe there is still some money remaining. So,
please apply or call us to explore interest. I don't know the exact dollar amount just yet. Um, but we will be getting that information. Um, I will say that Maren did apply for another grant. she will not receive the decision as to whether that grant was approved or not
until November, right? During the last meeting, that's what I recall. So, um it's good for me to know people that are interested in in these programs just because when the time comes, if we do get approved, it makes it a lot easier for me to move forward. I have a list going of people
that have expressed interest and I know that there's a couple different people that have reached out and I because I didn't know the exact dollar amount we had left. I have them tabled until I can confirm that. Um but even if you don't get it this round, if we get approved for the next round, I can process your application when that money comes in.
What were some examples of what people are using it for? We had a couple people get um we had one lady get a ramp so that she can get in and out of her home easier. We had another household get stair lifts so that they can access all floors of their
home safely. Um moving laundry to the main floor of the home to eliminate the low lighting of basement stairs. That was a couple of them. Um we had and then chimney repairs is another one. The roof repairs and
one was a roof roof replacement. So trees were ended up getting approved that way. had to go through some extra layers of approval, but um because of the risk that they posed to the home, it was um confirmed that they could include that
uh gutters and sophets for proper water runoff to reduce rot. So, I think that's pretty much most of them right there. That's a wonderful program. Hopefully, the grant will come through again and we can continue to help people. I do think she doubled the amount,
right? Yes. Okay. Wow. So, anybody that's possibly thinking of doing anything, please contact me so I can put you on that list. Okay. And that's all I have. Oh, we are coming up into fuel assistance time frame. So,
people that apply for fuel assistance, please start working on gathering your documents um so that we can get those applications processed in a timely fashion. Uh October is open enrollment, too. So, anybody wanting to get an appointment with Alicia to explore
Shine benefits, Medicare enrollment, prescription drug plans, make sure to have all of that information ready because the time will come and she fills up quick with appointments. So, all right, that's all I got. Does anyone have any questions for Louis
or Amy? Busy place. Very busy. Forgot to mention our barbecue on Thursday, right? Big barbecue. Big barbecue. Yes, the legislator's barbecue.
Senator Eldridge and state repres. We'll open up the wall. Be grilling down by the kitchen. Got 110 people signed up. parking. Yeah. Are you having any like parking away?
Um I've asked department heads if they would like to park further away. They can do that. So free up some more space for seniors coming to the barbecue. You can also look at the manifest for Thursday and see if there's extra room to do some
shuttling. We'll talk about that after. We can put out a blast. Let people know. If no one else has any questions, can I have a motion to accept the director and outreach reports? I'll make a motion to accept the
outreach and the director's reports. Marilyn made the motion and Mary seconded the motion. All those in favor? Okay. I I did get a notice from
Peggy Larson couldn't make the meeting, okay, from the friends. So that's why no one's here. Um there doesn't seem to be any old business, so we'll get into the new business and we can start with board member updates.
And I know you have a lot to say, Susan, so we'll let you start. No, I don't have a lot to say for report. That's okay. Um um under affordable housing trust Amy
went through the things that the for the mini grant that 14 total 14 grants have been given and um as you said it's a great program and if you we've put in for increasing it and but won't know
that until October or November. But if you do have um any things that qualify, talk to Amy because it's better to get on the list than um to wait till the new one comes out.
The other thing under affordable housing trust is the property on Tahadawa that we're working with Habitat for Humanity. There's a site visit. The affordable housing trust is doing a site visit with
Habitat um tomorrow night and after that the deed will be signed turning the property over to Habitat. Um they are
applying for a grant to help them build the duplex and they in the future will between Habitat and or Affordable Housing Trust will be seeking uh volunteers and
community involvement in the project. And Derky Derky That's a deep sigh. The jerky sits there. It's a jerky farmhouse. Um we have taken out
liability insurance on the property. Um we are awaiting a report back from the um consultant uh that will give us a a very detailed outline of what options can happen on
the property. either new build, rehab, do something with the barn or not, or whatever. It truly the options are all there. And then the next project at the last
affordable housing trust meeting is to um have affordable housing trust perhaps purchase probably purchase unless there's some kind of person out there that wants to donate land um
purchase some land to develop um affordable housing especially for that not the deeply affordable but the the middle affordable, you know, 80% 100% AMI and um
families especially, not just uh seniors. So that's in the talking stages at this point. They were looking at some property that came to mind.
And I think that's it for update questions. You're right. That was brief. Brief brief. So I have a question. Now the affordable trust with more for affordable housing,
but what about the IBM and all of that? That's all this affordable. That's under that's under under the planning board, the permit that the planning board gave to the developer.
Yeah. And in that permit, it outlines how many what percentage it's 10% of the total building project that has to be um affordable. I was just
and there's some there's also in somewhere in the fine print um about like it can't wait till the total end of the project to do the affordable last right
it has to be some being provided as the project goes along I was just confused with you know that's all but if it's only 10% % of all of that. That's a big difference from what I Right. It's 10 It's 10% and then there's
a also a clause about 40 units that are deeply affordable senior, but that's a different project. And it and that's and that's rental. That's rental.
And that will not be at 550. I was just it seemed like, you know, at least that's my understanding of it. Okay. I I was just curious what was going on. Yeah. Between the planning board and and
that whole issue, it's not by by town bylaw, any developer has to produce 10%. for affordable or if they're building a small um complex they have to they can
give an income a donation to the housing trust. Thank you. Any questions? Good job. So every year or every couple of years,
it's the board's job to appoint members of this committee to different um groups like the tread organization. We appoint people for that. And to the transportation committee, we've
appointed them before and um other committees. And then the selectmen take those names and they review and they're the ones that do the final appointment. And I believe Tread is the way it is this year. I haven't gotten any calls
saying that anybody is up for reappoint for Tread or for transportation. That's kind of a defunct committee right now. I think I think it's an active inactiv. Sorry, it didn't go defunct.
I have a report on a minute man. Oh, that's right. Go ahead. I'm sorry. Got to raise your hand. Um, minute man did not meet in July, but they had a very lengthy meeting and went over the budget and there are lots of
unknowns. The federal budget is largely blessed, but we will that through there to get through the summer. Um the governor's budget continues to align very closely with what they passed in
January. Capit capit capitation um of nursing facilities they don't that don't for people don't have Medicaid is a decrease of 3% monthtomonth 6% decrease for the rest of the year. the
number of people with the number of people they can serve is going down because they don't have the money. They tried to get different contracts in place 20 to 30 intakes and many of those have homed delivered meals on on the
charge plan and they're not able to make them. They will have a degree of change. It doesn't cover the cost of nursing at nursing at home care. It will not work in the current environment. The state is still working through um the age budget
and the health and human services budget does not cover what's in the Medicaid. The dollars will not increase the way they have in previous years. The program costs are higher, so there will be less people involved in the programs because
there isn't the money. Um they recommend keeping TRIO um community meals, but there will be a 5% increase in cost effective October 1st, 25. They have a three-year um contract with two one-year
extensions for TRIO. That was the bulk of what they talked the other day. And it's kind of like very depressing thinking. Is there anything I miss that you're aware of, Liz? I think that mostly covers it. I think
the the hardest hit home care program is still care is very hard hit. Yeah. The enhanced community options program, which is people who are at home but nursing home eligible but do not financially qualify for Medicaid.
The program is pretty much capped right now. Aren't um I don't think they've officially instituted a weight list for EOP. now, but they're not increasing any service plans. So, that's if we get a call from somebody in the community who's at home
and needing help with bathing, dressing, medication management, we refer them to Minute Man for a program like enhanced community options. But now we're making a referral and it's they don't have the money from the state to pay for it anymore, the state home care program.
The only thing they didn't talk about was the um daycare program. And they never mentioned that the other day. So I'm feeling the daycare program must be going continuing as it was as it has been. That's a service that they provide. Yeah.
They would pay for that through whatever care program you're in, whether it be home care, enhanced community options. Mass Health covers the cost of that for the people that are on the waiver. But so that that service is still an option that they can provide. But you if you're in a program where you're capped and you
can't increase it, you're stuck at where you're at. This isn't the first time there's been weight lists with the with these programs. We've been in this position before. It's unfortunate, but it was a very down meeting the other day.
It's not looking good. Okay. So, back to committees. I think Sue was going to talk about the affordable housing trust and um someone needs to be appointed to that.
I made um I took it upon myself to make a list to look up and make a list of all the things the committees that the COA appoints to. affordable housing trust is um the COA makes an
appointment to that and that has been me and I however need to be reappointed by this board um or someone else because the seal away spot ran out
ran out at the end of June. Um the other one which you already brought up which is transportation advisory committee is inactive but Marilyn was um on that on that. Um then the one the one that um
you keep talking about not tread but the taxation one the tax you want to know the real title for that? I can tell you what it is. Committee for Exploration of Real Estate Tax Relief for Seniors.
And every time we have a meeting, we sit there and say, "Now, what was our title?" An acronym for that. That's up to the selectman. They're the ones that And I found out the other day that I'm
my term just continues. It doesn't go away, which doesn't I don't understand that either. Um, but there are two terms that were up and I know one person has resigned and I don't know what whether
the other person will, you know, want to be replir ation. So, you're there forever. You're here forever. You're stuck. I don't know what you did, Marge, when you set me up on that, but doesn't go away. You can't leave it. You're there,
I guess. So, and then, um, tread, which we've already talked about, um, that's listed on the, uh, town clerk's or on the web page, town's web page as taxation aid. I know
it's totally different. It doesn't have it. It doesn't even say tread. It just says taxation aid, right? And um you are the actually I thought you were the COA appointee, but you're
actually a citizen at large. I love it. So, we don't even need to reappoint you to that. I'm just Your term isn't up until another year. 2026. Another year 26 is that for Tread?
Yeah, that's Tre. Another year on that citizen. So you're there and I'm there but I'm a citizen at large appointed by the board of selectments, right? You're different and I have two more years I think it is or three. Anyway, maybe it's only one
year and that's all those appointments that we made. So now we need to discuss we need to discuss affordable housing trust. Right? So first of all,
do you want to be reappointed and continue on the board? I will continue with it if no one else wants it. It's I don't want it. It take it takes up a lot of time. But
it does but that's okay. But if somebody else would like it, they've done a good job. They can have it. She's done a great job though. She has. Does anybody else show any interest in
wanting to take over Sue's position? I don't see anybody raising their hands. Sue, did you expect them? Can I have step down at some point? Right. If you want to step down, then we're going to have to find someone to remember what you're saying.
Okay. All right. So, are you stepping down or continuing? No, I'll Okay. Well, then I'll need a motion. I need a motion to reappoint Sumlander to the affordable housing trust committee. You're making your own motion.
No, I need someone to make that motion. So moved. Thank you. Can I have a second? Second motion. Okay, Joe made the motion and it was second by Mary. All those in favor? I I will abstain.
Too late to change your mind now. Thank you. Yes. Yes. Thank you very much. Now Liz is up again. Yes. because we have to discuss policies and procedures
because everyone has the big lengthy document in front of that quite a little bit of work, huh? Yes, it's a little bit of work. Um, so in within this packet is our original code of conduct and standards of
independence which the COA board reviewed in 2020. Um so it's within this packet but with the new building um comes lots of new questions lots of new issues issues lots of new scenarios that have
come up. So new policies and procedures were a necessary um thing to do. So this is my first draft of new policies and procedures. I tried to cover everything that could possibly happen. Um, from
age requirements to weapons in the building. Uh, the ones that I had questions about or was looking for feedback, I have yellow highlighted. So, for age requirement 55 plus was my question to you all
whether you thought that was appropriate or not. Um, do you want to go one by one? I think or if anyone had any specific questions about any of these. I think in our conversation um the Seaway board doesn't
necessarily enforce the policies and procedures. You review them with me and support you support. Yeah. The whole thing is supporting you as to a situation that comes up that needs to be handled. And um there may be
ways that these can be enhanced or changed, but we'll just see that as we go along. Yeah, this is Did any of you come up with any real major concerns having seen these policies
for a couple of days? A lot of time this feels amazing. Well, a lot of this work we're is already in practice, but we've never written it down or it's been in several different documents, so we've compiled it together. Um, and then there's the brand new stuff
like weapons in the building. That was a brand new thing I didn't need know I needed a policy on until it comes up. Yes. Well, I think too we never had to be in charge of the east because we had a town administrator take care of the building
and Liz would go to the town administrator with any issue and that's how it was done. But now we have our own building that Liz is responsible for and things come up during the day. It's a whole new world for her and the other ladies that are
working in here. And it's important that this document is upfront and personal so everybody understands, you know, if they get a call at home, you know, Liz had to deal with this and we didn't like the way she did it or something complaining to a board member, then we
have this to fall back on, you know, and we know that she's doing what she's supposed to be doing. I got one question. Sure. This is under the bus trips. Yes.
Payment for trips is due on sign up at center and people sign up on the phone. Okay. So, how do we do that? Payment for trips is due upon sign up at
the center. I guess that is worded kind of clunky. Um I know in the broadcast you have um if there's a a fee it's in there and um you normally have a date.
So I don't know. I just thought that I was a little I think maybe removing at the center from that sentence would make more sense. Just payments due upon sign up.
Yeah. We usually say for so with all the different bus trips we do um some of them run through tour bus companies like Bloom Tours or Fox Tours or Best of Times Travel. Um and they might have separate policies or payment goes directly to Best of Times Travel than
us. Um, so I'm trying to leave it a little bit open and saying in here that it will in the advertised um how we advertise it will tell you how to pay for it but
payment is due upon sign up remove at the center. That makes sense. depending on the service. One of the things that was brought to my attention in the broadcaster, if it's possible, whenever you're paying for a
program or class or whatever, maybe the amount of money that's due could be bolded because people were saying they read like I remember even for the mac and cheese I came I never saw that I had to pay 10
bucks or whatever it was until that day. didn't I didn't see it or recognize it. So, if the the money aspect is bold and it'll remind you that you got to pay up front. Yeah, I I definitely understand that. I also don't want
people to see it and be like grabbing money. If if I can't pay for that, I can't come. Even though we have a disclaimer in the newsletter, if you can't afford it, we'll find you a scholarship to be able to pay for the course. and we'll never leave anybody out. Yeah. So, I I don't want it to give the optics
of we're focused on the money kind of thing because we're a service. We're not a really a revenue generator. Um I see what you're saying though because I miss the one I was writing a
check today for the Cclass and then I said, "Well, I might as well do the one for the chef when the chef I know I've seen it. I must have read that three times before I could find how much it was, you know, it just didn't stand
out. I I think most people though reading the broadcaster and wanting to be a part of a program is not going to look at it as a money grabbing thing because every program that you do or that you provide here, there's a cost
to it no matter what it is. And it's our costs are so low for any of the programs that we have. I mean very minimal cost that um I just want people to know that our programs are accessible but we are going
through a newsletter redesign shortly. Um and maybe part of the redesign is for each program the cost is in the bolded top section I rather than within the article about the program. Might so we can look really
health. That would be good. It gets lost in the words and like Marilyn said, you have to reread it three times sometimes. You really wanted to sink in the program to read it and when I came back
came around and said, "Where's your money?" I'm like, "For what? I didn't know I had to pay for this." Cuz I did. I And she said, "Get out of here. Get out of here anymore. You can't come." So, okay. Okay. So, I'll I'll update that uh bus trip sentence, make it more clear about
how to pay. Thank you. Maybe if payment is due at a certain date. That's my in being due upon sign, it's due by such and such. Megan had said something
to me about that that she wanted to um make sure that anything that they're they're doing payment has to be made before. Yes. So, yeah, a date would really I think would would help there. Yes. Instead of at sign up because sign up
means I've called. How do I how do I pay at the minute I'm calling? Because that's what that that's what that says. Whereas if it's due like say 10 days before something or if it's due right away, the payment is due on a certain date after sign up.
That was John's concern about that. But they're all for trips. Yeah, they're all different. It's hard. You can't be a help. It can't be. You can't because it's so everybody's is different and and the and the programs are held on
different dates and things that you say something to the effect of payments are all due two weeks prior to each program all the time. I mean your bus tours maybe it's more than that because if you don't have enough people you have to cancel.
Maybe it's best. So maybe it's best in the policy if I leave it saying um the payment is due as advertised for that specific trip, right? Because I the policy should be an
overarching thing that kind of covers all and every single program is going to have a different timeline, right? Because when people call to get a sign up Yes. they get signed up. Yeah. whether they been paid or not at the moment, right?
And I think that's what people are worried about. They want to make sure signed signed up even though you know they'll come down later and pay because if everybody's aware that since this building opened if you don't call
the first day right anyway first day you don't get in. I mean it's and then you're on a wait list. That's right. And what about if someone signs up and say, "Oh, I don't need to worry. I can
wait the day before." But then if they don't pay, you you could be using and then they decide, "Oh, I'm not going to bother go." But then you could be taking people from the wait list and putting them up if they don't pay within a certain time. Correct.
Megan's doing a good job tracking that now. Like turkey train filled up in one day. Um, she's keeping the list of who's who's paid and I paid for the turkey bread already. Be moved accordingly. What else?
Just there. I guess just don't want anyone tripping. Yeah, exactly. Is it that much that yellow? There wasn't much yellow. I have one other thing in the yellow
under animals and pets. Yeah. Um somehow I don't know what the wording should be, but I think um guidance service animals needs to be something that says they are
registed registered. something that if you ask the person, could they prove that that wasn't just a animal that they consider a therapy? It has to be I don't know what the wording would be to just to make that
what I had to put in. No. Do they do the animals have to be on a leash in the building according to our bylaw? They don't. Right. I like the way I do. They we just had this come up
because I thought we just had this come up. It was um really happy that it seems to me I think they they have to be under control of the owner. I don't think it said specifically but under the control of the owner. Yeah. Yeah. So there are town bylaws related
to animals in municipal buildings. So I can't you can't miss that. Yeah. Grab that wording. I was trying to shorten the document here, but I know I know. Well, I didn't mean that
it's And usually a guide dog or a service animal are on a leash or a harness. Yeah. Most when they're working. Liz, when you get the policies done,
will it be put on on your on the website? Yep. It'll be on all the policies. Go ahead. All the uh all policies will be on the website. We'll have handouts here in the building as well. And will you have to put up signage like
for no weapons and no smoking and that outside the building or I'd rather not just cuz I don't like the look of it. No, I'm not saying I'm just saying are you required to do that? I'm not required. Okay. Okay. So,
in reviewing this, you're going to change anything. Oh, we didn't answer Liz's question. Do we believe that 55 and over is the way that we should go? I think so because I think that you know um this counts for seniors start at 55
that they're going yes and I think 55 I think we're getting to be old so we can get them in at 55 we're ahead of the game I was just mentioning to my well since I
what's happened to happened. But anyway, I mentioned to my daughter, "Well, and she goes to Duncan all the time and I said, "Don't you do you get a discount? You're eligible?" "Oh, no. I'm not eligible." And they said, "How old are you?" You know, and
so she asked, "I am eligible." I found out, Mom. So, yeah. And she's barely over 55, but still. Counts. Yeah. And I said, "Hey, every little bit helps." That's right. That's right. So, yeah.
So, are you going to fix it up a little more and bring it back to us or are we going to say do as you see fit and get it up on the website? I mean, I'm fine with it the way it is. There's not that many changes.
No, you know, if there's anything, Blair, you want me to um edit the gallery one? Um I have a question on that one. Because if you get an artist,
you know, might not have it finished in June for to be displayed. You know, he might have something that's going to throughout the year
all of them only in June. That Yeah. So this thinking of like the American Watercolor Society, Conquers, all of them, they do it about every three months
because artists have new stuff all the time. So that's what I was thinking. Yeah, we modeled this after the library. They have a really comprehensive policy um for our galleries. Is this done then only once a year?
Yeah, they do it uh one time a year. submissions for the year. Yeah. I mean, right now we're very flexible because we haven't opened the the um opened it out to the public. Yeah. Um so we actually need artists anytime. So
we can also change it to say rolling admission or rolling jury. I just Yeah. But as of right now, I thought sticking with something that is tried and true at the library was probably the best bet.
If it works for them, start at least start with that reinvent type of thing. Start with it. Yeah. Right. This can always be altered. This is not set in stone. But I would like to get it in in place
as soon as possible. Makes sense. I think we should let you do that, right? Anybody else have any other questions? Well, I I don't know whether I should open my mouth or not.
Sure. Sure. I had some questions on security. uh with the uh conference room document. Um if in the evening
the meeting goes in the evening um there's no way of um securing other parts of the building. We can secure the entire staff area where everything is confidential. Um, and all the program
rooms can be locked. Okay. On a schedule. And but the pool, will you take the ball? Yeah. Take them away. Yeah. And the computers, will they be there for anybody to use? Yeah, the computers will stay.
The computers will stay. Computers will stay. Okay. Um, and then I had a question. Weekends, are you opening weekends? Not right now.
Not right now. No, you don't have coverage. No, we don't have the staffing. Yeah. Um, should that be in here for the room um use policy? Yeah. I'm going to have to read back through
that. The only way people can welcome you is by calling or online. I didn't know. Okay, I do need to add something about weekends in there. Weekends is not
addressed. Um, let me think more on that one. The town hall's not open on the weekends. No, no, no. That's not mentioned the even have to mention it.
It's not an I mean, it's a public building, but it's not open on weekends. Yeah, people should realize that. And if they're applying for use of a room and they apply for a weekend, you just say, "We're not open.
I don't think we should open that can of worms. Should be open on the weekend. Yes. I mean, you got to have staff. Yeah. We don't We don't have We don't have to cover it. No. Even in the evenings. I mean, it would just be for committee meetings
like select one or something. Boards and committees. Yeah. All boards and committees. All boards and committees would be the only ones allowed in here. I remember back when we were doing all of the visitations to so many centers
prior to even, you know, building ours and we that always came up with a town administrator, whoever that was at the time and the assistant town administrator and they would always ask the administrators of those places, you
know, how do you manage if you are using allowing the town to or the city town to use the space on the weekends, who's paying the custodian, who's doing this, who's responsible for
making sure the building is secured, etc., etc. It's a big involved policy. Yes. Yeah. Right now, I think it's we don't need to have that.
I don't doesn't seem necessary to have that in place yet. We're not opening the gym after hours either, are we? No. No. It just seems we don't really have to worry about that's that's something that can change
over time if if five years from now this we have a real need to use it. We can we can put figure it out. I think we don't need it now. That's what I like. No, it was they were really exploring it
because it's complicated and there's a lot of responsibility. They're talking about people towns people renting like part of the multi-purpose room to have a baby shower or a wedding shower or whatever type of thing. But that means who's responsible for,
you know, I don't think you need to get involved in that right now personally. Okay. I think I think right now we should just do our building the way it is and just get through six or eight months of just Monday through Friday,
Monday through Friday and just iron out all the kinks that are happening and going to happen for the next six or eight months and just keep everything status quo because you've got a lot going on. You've got a lot of programs. Yes, it is good space. I mean there's no
question about that use and it should be made available timing is everything right and timing means more right are there any other questions Johnson
um I was thinking of Megan y um if you do 30day in advance Um, she has meetings in here and uh that's one of the rooms that
people can schedule. She's going to have blocks of time that she's just not you cannot rent the room or use the room so that she can put her activities in. Yep. Um, so our ongoing activities,
especially on like Mondays where we have Tai Chi, Tai Chi, line dancing, line dancing, chair yoga, back to back to back here. Um, those have been ongoing for years. We know in our calendar that anything for a Monday cannot come in
here. Um, but yeah, we do have a a calendar that we work off of. So if somebody's trying to book a space that's already booked, they can't. Your department comes first. Yes.
And that that's in there. Can't interfere with our programming. That's it. Okay. Little points, but we got Okay. So, um,
do we want to review the center? We just did that. Okay. Tax exemptions. And I guess that's me. Um, I'm a a big proponent of the tax
deferral program and what it can do for citizens who need help. Um, and I had a meeting with Mr. Rouse and Gary from the selectman and we
had a long discussion on how we can help seniors and um it came down to indirectly not the responsibility of the council on aging for the tax deferral
program. That program is run by the board of assessors and the information that is required to fill out an application and meet the qualifications is in the board of
assessor's office and they are so well in tuned as to all of the exemptions. and our ladies Amy and Alicia, they have the tax exemption forms and all of the policies that are state run on their
desk when anyone comes in as Amy brought up today that she can review every applicant to see if they qualify for any and then she would send them to the assessor's office and that's the way our role should be. I think it is the a tax deferral or any
exemption is very important to help the seniors. But Liz has a full-time job managing this building and the job that she has managing all the programs and tax deferral is 100% the board of assessments, right?
Having worked there for 35 years and deal has nothing to do with her job. It has nothing to do with her job and she would never not answer a question, right? No, nobody would ever not answer a question. So, what I did under the COA
board update for September is I wrote an article on tax deferral and I explained from start to finish what it is. And I You don't have any experience with the assessor? No. What are you doing? No, I know. Had a few years there.
That's why there's some confusion maybe out there. And so the um in order to qualify, you have to have an income of hopefully $72,000. And you can defer a small portion of
your tax. You can defer your whole tax. It's your choice totally. You don't have to defer every year. You can defer one year and not another year. And it's you pay back at 1% interest.
on that deferred amount. You don't pay that money back until you sell your house or your estate sells the house. And an example that I gave is if you were to defer
$4,000 a year for 10 years, you would have deferred $10,000 $40,000 plus a minimum interest. The tax lean that's put on that property is for the taxes and the taxes alone. It
has nothing to do with losing your house or a lean against your house. And the stories that I've gotten over the years in that office and even now is people don't want to um to further taxes
because they want to give everything to their family. They want to give their estate to their family and they don't want to defer anything. But there are situations where somebody may not be able to pay their taxes and may not be
able to stay in their home, but if they defer their taxes, they can stay in their home. They could use that money to pay for medical expenses or other things that come up. And when you look at if you've deferred 40,000 and your estate
sells for 500,000, you've lost hardly nothing. You're giving most of it to your family anyway. It's just that small amount that and you've been able to stay in your home and do things that are necessary to keep you in your home. So, I am a strong
proponent and always was of tax deferral and I hope that my article will explain that. Um, I'm willing to sit with anybody that has questions. Um, and I think each month going forward
until December when the first tax bills are due, I will write an article about exemptions. Um, but it's it's still very important to understand any of you listening out there today that you go to the board of assessors
and they will help you. The ladies there are so good and so willing to sit and help and everything is confidential. Everything is confidential. And and reiterating what you just said
that it's not the COA or EHS's position either to be the one to to determine all of this. It's through the assessors. COA could give information which like you said you're it's not part of our duties that's not
part of our duties or jobs to we can educate people right we can educate we've done dinners we've done all kinds of things and putting some information in the broadcaster sure but for people to think
beyond that that it's us determining things no go to the assessors and get full information. We can't that form. Remember you we did the form. We did the form last year and we put it in the broadcaster.
And I held three dinners. Yep. And a coffee to make people aware. And when they came in, I had the ladies from the assessor's office do the do the information at that meeting and answer all questions. But you know the issue is
it's an ongoing educational need that is not going to go away to help people understand where to go and you know what the duties are allowable and there are a lot of exemptions right that you might qualify for that you
don't know and unless you go talk to the assessors you won't you might be missing out on not blind but there's the elderly. There's all kinds of different ones. And that goes for the veterans, too. They
all they have their own separate exemptions that they can apply for. And I don't think a lot of people are aware of that either. So, if we put it in the broadcaster and get it out there, we're doing our job. And tech just been brought up on TV here
and Liz can put that back out on the our website again. and where to go. Anita, I'm going to have to leave. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Marilyn. So, that's all I have to say on that. That's good.
But that's true. Um, any excuse me, but I'm just going to say this much. A lot of people don't understand the function of the COA board. I think am I putting it mildly? Yes. So, and you know, our job, I'm going to
reiterate it for anybody that's listening, our job is to support the director and the staff and help them with whatever they need. It's that's it. that one enough easily explained what
our job and responsibility is and to and to advise the town on the needs of seniors. Oh yes, that's by giving out information or telling them where to get your information.
Thank you, Liz, for doing that. Yes, she's already put it up on the website. Thank you, Liz, for doing that. And I I think I I just want our board to understand the rules and to be able
to if someone walks on to you and says I'm looking for help with my taxes, send them directly to the assessors, you know, and give them and they will give all the right information. Correct. So, yes. Do we have any other business to
come before the board from anybody? Should I ask about? Yes. So, I notice for public input we have Rob Ross here and I didn't know if you had something you wanted to say or No, but thank you. Okay. Okay.
He's he's being quiet. Yeah, I noticed. I hope so. Thank you, Joe. Sorry to disappoint. Thank you, Joe. No, we we don't want to stifle anything you might want to say, Rob. It's just We're good.
We're good. So, since there is no public input and nothing else has come before the board, I would entertain no one moving. Our next meeting is scheduled for September 8th. And please get any agenda items to Liz
7 days prior to the meeting so she can get it on here. I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. So moved. Seconded. All in favor? I Okay. Thank you for a good meeting.
Really?