So, I'd like to call the February 26 House on Aging meeting to order. This is a special meeting um tonight and I appreciate everybody that was able to make it. We do have a quorum. No one is online. So I don't need to call you
call. Uh the we have one agenda item on the the uh one item on the agenda tonight. And I just we have many people in the the uh who would like to speak >> and what I'd like you to know I really appreciate you all coming. The way that
meetings work in reading and this is true for every meetings not board school committee everything is the council the meeting participants um uh give their feedback first and when we are done speaking you are welcome to speak as well. So you all
have an opportunity to speak with me too and I appreciate you coming tonight. So um the one item on the agenda is to discuss the new programming fees at the Pleasant Street Center. And uh there was a
presentation two weeks ago that uh that Jenna then shared in the packet with us. So in pre in preparation for this meeting. So Jenna and Carrie if you would like to just share anything quickly about that because we've all
we've either all heard it or we all um had a chance to review the information in the packet. >> Oh, can she hear us? >> Karen, you can hear us. I can hear you. Thank you.
>> Yeah, we can't hear you. >> Is she gonna get recorded? >> Can you hear me now? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Okay. It's been timing. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Jenna. Whatever you did worked. >> It usually doesn't.
>> Yeah. Um, so I know everyone's been hearing rumors and talk and maybe not rumors because it's pretty much fact because Jenna gave a talk while I was away last week about co-pays and bringing back um paying for classes. And the reason for that is, and as much as
I've listened to everybody, um, and heard everyone's wishes and thoughts and everything, um, is that we we have a $13,000 programming budget and our programs for instructors cost
$48,000. So, we don't have enough money to pay for programs based solely on our budget. So, we have to bring back payments in order for to for us to be able to support the programs that we still offer, which we were lucky for a couple
of years. We didn't have to pay because of our opera funds, but now that that money has run out, we in order to sustain what we have, we have to bring back the payment system. And I did um print out a newsletter from 2016 where the cost is exactly the same as what
we're talking about still. So, $5 a class. Um, and then we would do it in sessions so that people would pay in sessions. Um, we did talk about I've heard all the concerns about missing a class and losing out on that money. We
did come to an agreement that there could be exceptions for missing classes without doctor's notes. I mean, we're not going to minimize anyone in this in this in this world. Like, everybody has a right to have a medical appointment and I don't need to see your note. Um, I
think what we would do is is we have to have rules on that because we feel like people might abuse the fact that they're missing a class. We would have like, you know, you can miss so many classes in six months or something and once you get to that limit, then we would have to, you'd have to talk to us about that. Um,
so as a team, you know, we're trying the best we can to come up with solutions and brainstorm. And my brain is exploding because I am not a math girl when it comes to stuff. I'm in social services and working with people because I like that aspect of things. So, we've all
talked about the cost of everything and I just want to make it clear that we're working together as a team to come up with the best solution for everyone. It's not a recside, elder service side. It's a team side. So, and as a new person coming in, I can say that with confidence. So,
>> yeah. And we love the ideas of the class memberships um for the future or for the class passes in the future, but there does need to be a money buffer behind that because we can't guarantee that,
you know, over 200 of you are going to pay for a membership or a certain amount of class passes will be sold to guarantee that we can pay these instructors. And with the $13,000 programming budget, it's like relatively impossible to implement something like
that. And our goal as staff is to um and things will become a little bit more clearer too when we present our operational plan um on March 9th that in FY28 we're hoping to get more funding and we're hoping to transfer some things
from the formula grant that gets applied towards salaries and apply that towards staff. Um, it's something that we've been talking about internally. Nothing set in stone, but it it's just an idea because that's what we're struggling with. We just don't have the money to >> have everything.
>> Yeah. And to and to have that buffer. So, we want to have these options and we think that with our plan, we can have it in the future. Um, but in in the immediate future, unfortunately, this is the best we can do. So, and we're sorry.
Okay. So, I'm opening it up to um CLA members. I hope everybody has a chance to participate in spoke first and then everyone else and then you know a $13,000 budget is not
doable. Let's face it. Has there been an increase at all from pre previous years? Say what was the budget last year the year before? Why has this not been increase going forward?
>> Sure. So, I'm not sure the exact year. It was when Gene Delios was here. Our budget was around 20 to 25,000 and we did get an increase and now we're at 51,700 um for our total budget and 13,000 of that is obviously allocated towards the
programs. Um, and I think the the short answer is that fiscally the town is tightening up the reigns. So, we can ask for all the money we want as staff, but it's it's a no. And it's like that
across the board for for all departments right now. >> Yep. >> So, Carrie, you just said something that has been confusing me since I was looking at the presentation because I've heard this before. the the figure you're
using for examples is roughly $5 a class 20th session, but there's a line in the presentation where you say that instructors will ask for what they want per participant.
So that sounds to me like a conflict here. So the 20 is in sort of a static figure from what I'm hearing. Is that right? It is. They have the option to tell us what they want per participant, but right now that's what all the
instructors are charging aside from I think Matt yoga. >> Yeah, it's >> Matt yoga is more expensive. >> Um, >> but everyone else is charging $5 a class. So, part of what concerns me with that is when I looked at this, I figured
out if you're getting $20 a session and your monthly, I think you said budget is between four to 5,000 a month for instructors, you need to sell 200 to 250 sessions.
And currently you don't hit I think anywhere near those figures in the classes. I went back and looked at the figures on the reports >> from last July and I assume the category that reflects the classes is
uh what's it called? Fitness, health, and something else. But that number never even hits 200. So, this suggests to me you're going to have a lot of canceled classes.
>> I'm not sure I understand the question. I'm sorry. >> You told me you need a budget of $4,000 to $5,000 a month to pay instructors. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Okay. If you're charging $20 a session >> per person per person.
>> Per person. Yeah. >> You would need to sell 200 people. Well, no, because >> in a month to get that that money. >> No, the so so the the structure now because before they were charging per
class the instructor, right? >> But now they gave us a fee that's per person. So, and in a minimum and a maximum. So, say like we have um chair yoga and she's charging
$20 per participant. She can have a minimum of six people and only make x amount amount x amount of money for that class, but she can get take up to 18 >> and then it would change like her fee per the month will change because it's
per participant now. >> So the four to five is not necessarily reflective then of what you're actually paying. The four to 5,000 a month that you suggest is your rough monthly budget for instructors. Well, yes, because now
it will vary by participant participants, >> which is and and we have to do it that way. Otherwise, we wouldn't know how much money to pay the >> instructor. I'm trying to get clear because that didn't make sense. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's a great question. >> But I have to say that sounds like a
logistical light. Why wouldn't you just do a flat fee that this is not much? Well, because we don't think it's fair that regardless of how many participants that the instructor gets that they would get $100 for 45 minutes if only >> four people came.
>> Yeah. Or like six people came. >> So, can't you negotiate and say, you know, this and my what I actually I want to be the last one to speak. I want to hear from everybody else because I >> Yeah. And I mean, I guess like >> the the dollars in the sense even if you
were to do it the other way versus this way, you're still going to be in a deficit and you still need some backup programming funds to sustain the programs. So there's no other way that we can do it other than the sessions unless we had some type of buffer that
you know if there was a flat fee and we could negotiate then and we need x amount of people with it would still be the same thing. So this is easier for the instructors because they know like you know they're responsible for marketing their programs and um they're all going to be on new
contracts and it's going to be set. Um, and yeah, we didn't we didn't agree with the structure that people were getting paid a really large amount of money for very few people. >> Yeah. And having taught at all levels
from nth grade up through college, professors get paid a set fee for a course. And there's some minimum that could be like six people, but they usually have maximums that are in the 20s. That does not affect salary. You
get paid to teach. It's no that's just the way it's structured. So, it's not that weird to do it. Um, it is very This sounds very complicated to me in terms of managing it. Plus, we've got that rule that we can't charge more than it
actually costs. So, are we responding that by upping the cost if there are more people? >> Well, no. So, we're not we're just trying to break even at this point. Typically, you would mark up the cost for for a class to account for other overhead fees. Like, so if a class needs
equipment or certain supplies or things like that, we would do that. Um, >> but that's different. And that's very common. >> Pure salary of the instructor. >> Yeah. No, and that's that's that's your opinion. And we did we had meetings with all the vendors too to kind of go over the new structure.
>> Yeah. As someone that's been here for a long time, when you walk into a room and see three people in a class and the instructor getting paid $150 just for three people sitting there when we could be running a program that might have 12 people in that room and that person would get $150. It just doesn't seem to
be fair for the instructors to not to get different amounts of money. >> I I I understand the perspective. It's just from the instructor's perspective, they're bringing their knowledge and their teaching skill and it's a minor variation how many people are in the depending on the kind of class. I mean,
if it's something they have to work with every single student, but that's pretty rare. Um, but anyway, it it's my other question on it. It's just an observation in in the educational hierarchy. This is not a model would prevail that I've encountered and it would be much more.
Here's what we pay usually per course credit is how those things run. But um my question is about 13,000 and I could be all wrong in this. I'm just reporting folklore that I heard over the years. Chris told me a year ago
they had cut their the budget because we had all the ARPA money and we didn't need it. And and I've seen others like the library. I understand we're all trying to tighten our belts, but inflation has been well over 1%. So if you ask for only a 1% increase, that's a
tightening of the belt. And I I'm puzzled as to why we aren't fighting for our 1% along with the library and facilities and all the others. I mean, if you don't ask, you're not going to get it. And of course, they're going to tell you, "We want flat budgeting." I
mean, that's just the game. >> Asked. And we asked. >> Yeah. And this year, >> I didn't I didn't hear it at the presentation of the select board. >> Well, because we asked before it goes to the select board and it gets approved by
the town manager, the CFO, and the CFO actually even tried to take some money from our budget. And I >> going back several months ago when I heard it presented. >> Yes. And Jane and I fought to keep money in our budget. >> No. >> So, but that's how but this is how it is
all the way around. I don't >> you know >> the library got an increase was no one was arguing over the library getting an increase. Nobody was arguing and again it was like a 1% not a 3%. So it is a belt tightening but >> in our case it's like starvation 13
pounds. Just and just for the record, we did not have any budget cuts in our operating funds at all. >> No either misunderstood or >> Yeah. And when there is a decrease, it's typically because of the formula grant
because we get more money in the formula grant that's applied to our salaries right now um in elder and human services. And it shows that we have less of less money overall, but it's applied towards the salaries, but our operating expenses have always been pretty much
level funded. >> But so Carrie was saying it used to be 20 or you said one of you said >> yeah before before co >> before. So, it used to be close to twice what it is now. >> No, no, it was less. >> Less. It was 20,000 total.
>> Okay. Okay. I got Thank you. >> I know. Ron and then Ry. Ron. >> Yeah. I was just going to say that Gary was saying that it was >> okay. I got it. I stand correcting. Thank you, please. >> Um, and just getting back to the the pricing model. This creates an incentive
for the instructors to go out and bring students to the class, right? Right. The idea is that if only if you only bring in four students then you get a certain amount but if the more you bring in the more >> essentially yeah
>> so it creates an >> yeah you mentioned the fiscal budget that you're going to be getting money. So, are you looking for money between now and fiscal budget to cover up expenses or is this going to be
permanent charges that you're going to put in? >> I think it depends. Yeah, I mean if we come forward with our plan for FY28 specifically, not not this fiscal year, but the following year with our plan,
then I'm relatively confident that we wouldn't we would probably still have to charge a little bit, but there'd be a a buffer for us to subsidize a lot of these programs and also implement a lot of the things that people would like to see like perhaps the membership or a
class pass card or just like a little bit more flex flexibility with with um the payment structures and things like that. That's something that we could implement at that time. Um but right now in an FY27, we're not going to have that >> buffer. We're not going to have that
buffer. So, we would need funds from somewhere. Um, you know, I know a few months ago when Chris was here, we asked perhaps for the Council on Aging to consider like funding some money out of out of the trust to help with with that
buffer. Um, >> which we do, >> right? But I'm I'm saying, you know, a more significant amount now to to help with to help with that. It's an option, but um, we should use it. Um, if you go
back precoid, we all came in and paid for the class we were attending that day. >> That's what the majority of seniors want to go back to. They won't don't want to be paying for something that they're not attending. >> Right. Sure. >> That's really a bone of contention. But
the fiscal year budget, are we going to get a larger budget than last year? Are we going for a larger budget? >> Not an FY27. No. >> Why not? >> We we can't. They asked for and it was the >> that's the bill that I
>> so is there a way of asking for it again? >> The way work is count meeting talk to your town meeting members because the town meeting members look on the budget and at the April town meeting and you can lobby for any event. So when the
town meeting that's at the high school and about 300 people show up can you ask for mic time just typically but you can talk to your meeting and
members >> I'm a town meeting member >> so that you would want to speak to your family meeting me that's what I But I don't want to change the subject. So let me ask you first. I have some questions not so much about the fees themselves but about the system and its
implementation. Are they okay for >> So I I feel like we've got different categories. Um >> so can we move on to the next category? >> Okay. So, so, um, so if I understood the
presentation right, to register for a class now, you would use this new system that we don't even know the name of. Yeah. >> Correct. >> Technologies. >> Um, so I'm I'm So is my active center going away?
>> Yes, >> completely. So all programs, both aid and unpaid, you'd now register for through this new system. >> Correct. Okay. And one other question about my active center. Um I don't know
that this is going to be happening, but like I was on there the other night and looking at things and there are currently like I could have the other night. I think I didn't do it. Maybe something would have happened and I couldn't. I could have registered for classes into April.
>> Yes, that that would be right. So, but but as of No, at the till the end of March, >> right, but the dates were listed is what I'm saying. I Yes. And I could have put them in. And so, if someone happens to do that, are you going to have a way to
deal with that to catch it >> because they would have registered >> prior to this system going into >> Yeah, that's the question. >> That That's great. Thank you for bringing that up. and we can actually go into my senior center and make sure that the April programs are are not eligible
for Thank you. >> That's a great point. >> They are right now. >> Right. So, we'll address that. It's a great question. What is my active center being replaced by? And why was my active center put in by
>> when you sign? >> It's called my active on >> Why was it established? So we had all go through a landing period and now it's going to be replaced. >> Yeah. So with the opening of recal next
roughly August, we had to go to one system to for many reasons. Um so we're moving into the platform of wreck technologies it's called. On March 12th it was in the pleasantries and we've
been kind of marketing it around here. We'll create a a nice little fly or two next week. Um we'll be talking more about the platform and how you can register on the platform, creating an account or you could fill out a registration form and staff can put in
your information for you to register you on the system. Um so we'll be going through all >> I'm now using my ad center. >> Yeah. Yep. We're We're just about learning it. >> Yeah. >> And it's going to be replaced.
>> I know. I know. It's tough. Um my active center I think has been around for a few years now, right? Two or three. I don't know. Less than a year. >> Yeah. Well, and >> believe me, it's challenging.
>> Yeah. >> For all of us. >> So, what is the advantage then? because again, you know, I compare what we're doing to the um super center and you know, and I'm so glad that I was able to go there. But one of the things is they
do keep it separate. They do have what they call OAS programs to register. So, they do keep it separate separate from the recreation. >> I think it should be separate. So, I wonder >> we want a senior central. We don't want a rec center. We have a senior. >> I'm just wondering if that's been considered.
>> It is a community center. Um, it's a Reading Center for Active Living in the Newton Center is a little bit different because they have dedicated hours from 9 to 3. So, their community at large um that isn't the 60 plus
population will come in after 3:00 p.m. They also don't have dedicated staff offices for veterans or recreation like we do in our building. So it's a complete it's not like a completely different model but it is significantly different from ours. So we can't have
members of the public coming in and you know checking in at my senior center and then another person coming in and checking in at you know the wreck platform and then we have volunteers that we have to train on two systems to register people with. We have staff that
needs to be on two different systems and then we have um programs that are happening sometimes that are going to be simultaneous and we're on two different systems and we don't know we don't have one platform that reads everything >> our system why don't they go to our
system >> well the my senior center is very it's very outdated there's not a lot of modern capabilities in that system um and this system is a lot more modern, up to-date. Um,
so and and it works for it works for all of us as a team. >> Do you feel like it covers the unique community? We haven't seen it. >> I have to be honest, I don't know yet. >> We I mean, we want to make sure that it's embedded and that it does work
well. >> I know that it works well for WCK programming, but we haven't gone that model before. So, it's it's going to be a learning curve for all of us, especially in the senior center world. >> But what if it doesn't work for us? >> Yeah. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. But excuse me. If you don't know if it's going to
work >> well because we haven't used it yet. >> Well, right. >> Then why are we going to implement? >> We interviewed several different things. >> Yeah. And did a bit. >> My thing is I do have to agree with Rosemary.
>> Yes. It's called the writing active center, but this is a senior center that we're going to be having programs for the seniors. So, it definitely should be, I think,
separated going forward. I know you might not agree with it and I understand that staffing needs to be trained and so they can use this but there are many many
companies out there that train the system for their employees for different technology and the same site. So I think it definitely needs to be separated seniors
and wreck and it's going to be if we implement this now >> like Rosemary had mentioned we're in one technology right now we're going to implement something new we need to think of the future we need
to think about when the new building is up and running I think it should definitely be separated and if this technology is not going to accommodate that. >> No, I think >> then we need to look for a different technology. >> I No, I think you're misunderstanding. I
think it's going to be new for us as a senior center community to adapt to the changes of this model because it's a it's a payment system. It takes credit cards. It's diff it's different than we're used to >> completely whether we use my senior center or not
>> separated when it was brought up. I don't think it should be one technology system for the 18 up or the 60. It should be two separate. >> No. And I we appreciate that feedback. This is something that we've talked
about as a team for about a year. We've interviewed several different companies to accommodate what what they can accommodate. We sent out um a programming quote and we put everything that we wanted in the system.
we met with these people beforehand as as a team. Um, also it's pricing becomes a big factor too in these things. Um, and again this is the reading center for active living. We don't want people who
cuz we we ran into this a lot like in the recall discussions. People who are 60 don't want to go to a senior center. Some people who are 90 still don't want to go to a senior center. So, if we're telling them to come in and have a my senior center key tag and go check it at
the senior center, you know, station for their program >> and then if they signed up for a wreck program and they went to the wrong computer system, it could get very >> Yeah, because recenting it now because the the recount is not opening up for another year and a half.
Does my seat does my active center allow for payment? >> It does. Yeah, we're preparing for the future. We're preparing people so that they know we don't want to take payments in this system and have people have to learn how to do >> relearn another payment system. So we
figured we would roll this system out to start taking payments through the new system so that that learning piece isn't as >> our concerns would like to go into another category too >> because so um you want
>> I just sure it some of our questions and concerns might be alleviated if we had a demonstration >> that's what I'm doing on March 12th Yeah, here at Pleasant Street, I'm
talking about for the council. I mean, I have concerns beyond the payment and learning and everything, I have concerns about what data is going to go into the system. So, what data can we get out as a council or the questions that we want
to have answered and everything? And so a full explanation of the system from the council's point of view to me would be very helpful to understand the totality and the breadth of this picture. That's just
>> and and it's a very very advanced software. Um the data analytics that you can pull from this system are better than what my wreck offers for wreck and what my senior center offers for. >> So it would be great to know. >> Yeah.
to get a demo and see what we can get. >> Well, yeah, we already picked that quickly. If this system is going to handle both the seniors, etc., how is it going to determine the budget
and the money's coming in and separating the technology for what is being used dollar-wise? >> Yeah, that's a great question. So right now anything any payments that we take right now for our rentals here at the Pleasant Street Center um actually go
through my so there's a separate GL code that you put into these systems. So the GL code is you know the revolving fund for elder and human services. So each of those programs will be set up with their own GL code. So veterans run something
they'll have their own. Elder and Human Services will have their own and Wreck will have their own and then on the deposit itemizes them out and then they get deposited into the appropriate accounts. >> Okay, >> that's quick. Um,
>> just so I understand, are we basically moving into the same system that Rex currently uses? Is it >> No, Rex's learning a new system. >> Okay, so they're getting a new system. >> And is it by any chance Lexington's system? >> No. >> Good. because they couldn't give us any numbers on how many seniors they had. So that's good. Thank you.
>> Okay. So we're all moving to a new system. >> No. Oh, sorry. >> I'm still on the same data. >> Yeah. >> Said there's going to be a lot of data collected. Maybe it's things we don't want you to know about us. >> What are you collecting?
>> Well, I was thinking more of like a programmatic programmatic data. >> Um, not confidential information. Yeah, that wouldn't be a lot for us to give. >> What is the security if people are
giving you their credit card numbers and all of this information? >> Sure. So, there's capability in this system to have um your credit card saved. There are a lot of safeguards in these advanced technology systems. But
there is also a way that you if you're not comfortable, you know, we can take your credit card every time. Um we can also accept checks. Um so >> because I was concerned there are a lot of 60 that worry.
>> All right. Thank you. Do you take do they take VBO or employees out? >> No. >> All right. Another um category what's >> uh pleasantries. How people will know. Okay. Uh this requires quite a bit of
advanced notice of what's coming and commitment. Is pleasantry still going to be published and will it be in a timely right now? It wouldn't spoil it because you know comes out a week before the month that will work. We need it two months before. Will that happen? >> What do you mean two months before? I'm confused.
>> Because people need to register at least a month or more before the class. So >> I think the schedule of classes will will be in the calendar each month and that's not going to change for exercise. online calendar or in pleasantries >> the pleasantries. >> So right now I would have them if we
were going into it now I would have in my hands >> large I would have >> no it wouldn't change. So I think you'd be able to go online if you could had the capability to and you could say I want to sign up for four sessions
weekly. >> Is it going to tell me now what sessions are there in May? >> I don't know how far in advance does it tell you. we're talking about. I mean, you need a day or two to think, am I going to be on vacation? Do I want to I mean, you know, they need they need some time. And if they're mailing you checks,
you need some time for the post office to check over and someone read the check and we need time. It's it's different from what we have. >> What ties the sign up and the payment? What What ties those together? >> The sign up and the payment. >> Sign up online for the course. How else
you get paid for it? Um, so you can either pay with a cash or check. I mean, um, sorry, not not cash. Sorry. Check or credit card, >> right? Online when you're signing up. >> You would put it in then. >> So, for a the April classes, the
registration starts on March 23rd. >> We can do that on Pleasant Tree, whatever it is now. The one that's open. >> No, not now. You can not now. The new system. >> The new system. >> Yeah, the new system. So >> still puzzled about how the check part's going to work, but we'll figure that
out. We're not >> One of the things I do wonder about is if we could have a a pilot program starting from now until, you know, the rest of the year that would then evaluate, you know, first of all, do you think we need to do a survey? How many
people are interested in this? Because if you calculate, if you do the math, you know, people will be spending a significant amount of money monthly. And when you think of, you know, green classes and being at $15. So that's, you know, some people were saying $60 a
month. 60 time 127. Yeah. $720. And then you compare that to um two to 300 for the month, the annual membership. So certainly a bargain get an annual membership. So, I'm wondering
if we could take a survey and see how many people are interested in getting membership from here to what the $60 or whatever it would be. Um, has that been considered? >> Yeah, we actually talked about doing that in Well, I keep looking at you like
you were there. She was in Sunny P. No. Yeah. Um, but yeah, I did mention that at the end of the presentation that we would talk as a team about doing the survey, but that survey again, just because we get that data back doesn't mean that we can implement it right away
because again, we'll still need the buffer. And even if we got 200 surveys back and 50 people said that they could do would do a membership pass and 50 said that they would do a class pass, it's great to have that data, but it doesn't guarantee that those people
would be able to pay that. You know what I mean? Um or would pay that? They can say it, but then >> would they do it? >> Would they do it? So going into the COA too change and you know like to say no to
you know they have to pay a session is real life you know a lot of people maybe once uh and then you know there's cancellations potentially by by the um the instructor you know there's unexpected activities always so that's I
wonder about a pilot program that would look at implementing um the pass speed testing, you know, maps as well. And I and I also want to throw it out at the COA and this is just for discussion and
another meeting that we would be willing to collaboratively during this and I'm just throwing that out to the um to the COA because this is a big change and we want to
60 plus community And so just again just throwing that out. So I am concerned about the no refund policy. I am concerned about you know the octive phase of the session. Um I I you know mentioned flexibility in the future. I know the flexibility is happening now
and we're transition transitioning to a new system. >> So I'm sorry I just had to. >> Yeah. So Kate, you were fetching head up for a while then. >> I was wondering as you looked at rolling this out if you dug into the current set
of data that you have to break out the numbers of how many people take three sessions a week, how many take two, how many only take one. Um, and in thinking about that and thinking about what you
had said at the end of the session here, Jen, about doing a survey, I was thinking, well, those that would be a really good targeted group to go and talk to because if you've got a group of people that take three sessions a week, their feelings and perspective is going
to be different from somebody maybe who takes one session a week. And so, I was just wondering if you had pulled that data out. >> It's hard because he's free right now. >> I'm sorry. It's hard because everything is free right now. >> So, it's hard to gauge who's because everybody's coming from everywhere to
come to the free stuff. >> So, it's hard to say people that may be taking three classes right now when they start charging, they might not be doing that. >> And that's my point is that's a group to start a conversation with. You're taking it now. Would you pay for it? Do you
think you'd continue at the same in other words, you can get targeted information if you use targeted data? And I'm just asking if you pulled that data out. >> We have not because I didn't >> Yeah, we didn't think that was relevant to the
>> Well, because I think point I mean it's Yeah, because the attendance and participation can decrease. >> It's going to decrease. We know that that's >> Yeah. Without a doubt. >> It might be time to evaluate well do we need to run these particular programs with the number that's
actually John? No, you can't. >> Okay. A lot of insurance companies like will give you $150 or $200 back. I was going to say that. >> Is that applicable to our system? >> Absolutely. We used to do that back in the day. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, we could do that now. And that offsets lots of cost right there.
>> And that can be applied with the It's much easier with the annual membership. >> I didn't approve it. It would be >> No, it's it's easy no matter what you as long as you have record of what you've paid to whatever exercise. We actually would pull it from my senior center would submit a receipt from my senior
center to for the client in McMahon. >> Will the news been pulled out? >> I haven't looked into that piece. Yeah. >> Is it you mean like the >> to submit to Blue Cross? Like the amount of money they pay. >> Oh yeah. Yeah. You can print out a receipt of registrations. Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> Related I think Kate's question. Maybe not. Um, in terms of doing some survey work and evaluation or focus group, whatever it takes, I I think it's really important for us to keep in mind that the goal for seniors is to
cease under serving seniors and to change it to a model where we're at least on par with what's needed and maybe even up the gold standard a little bit. So if we're losing people and to your point, maybe we're not offering the
right courses because we need to be offering things that they will come to. It might be a different mix. Yes, >> I'm going to speak to you in a second. >> So it might be, >> you know, something entirely different from what we're doing now. It might be a
whole lot more of the coffee and chat kind of thing to Rosemary's point that people need people. They need places they can go. It might not be so much the exercise. It might be >> a chorus that doesn't need a paid instructor that just needs a room to
come and raise their voices. It might be any number of other things. And it's really important that while we're doing this because the point of the Reading Center for Active Living, which if you look at the the diagram, it clearly says
full service senior center, full service veterans, and full service wreck. all three and you I don't care if it's called senior center. I'm very sensitive to the name issue, but the full range of services to meet current and future needs is a key. In fact, the priority
thing for this building and so we need to be really researching in this environment which is going to be different. What is going to draw in more people and be sustainable and I think there is a lot of data we could probably gather by starting to look at what are
the current use patterns and who's doing it and why and why why do people not come? Well, we can say a lot of people are coming because it's free right now. >> I can tell you that 100%. And that's 100% factual because they've been here through a lot a lot of transitions and a lot of change over the years. >> I understand.
>> And we've so some things that people request and want and we put this program forward, we get four people in a room. Sometimes we put things forward and we expect nobody to show up and we get 35 people in a room. It's not it's not an easy task and we just have to every day
we're we as a staff are evaluating and re-evaluating and taking a look at what we're offering to see what's webbing and flowing with the times. We're not not doing those things. So, I don't want that that to get lost on the council on aging that we're not reevaluating pretty
consistently. I'm >> I'm not suggesting that you don't take it into your job very seriously. Now, I am suggesting we're going to have a much broader audience that you don't talk to. None of us do yet. It's going to be potentially 2,000 people a year, not 1,000 people a year who are going to be
using the space. We have a lot to learn about these people. And if fees are going to drive them away, I mean, they can all go to the Y to get their classes and they can fight to get in because they're so overwhelmed with people there. If you don't press the button the second they open the doors, you don't
get in. But that's their problem. But every senior center in this area is charging. >> I'm not suggesting that we don't. >> No. Right. No, I'm just saying I know >> you every senior right now we are not which is why I think we've seen higher numbers which everybody that comes here and is a regular reading resident. That
becomes a point of contention because they do take up spa people out of towners do take up space of reading residents and it can be challenging. >> I understand but the point I'm trying to make is that and I'm not opposed to charging. I know we used to charge. I know we all like free
>> and I know and I know you work hard on this but what I'm trying to get all of our minds focused on is the goal the reason we want this building is because we are underserving the population even with the high numbers we've got at a thousand and we need to be thinking
about the kind of programming that will work to overcome that and isolation is one of the key things we need to be alleviating through this new programming and this is a big different mindset. So the well if six people don't sign up we cancel it job done. Well no six people
don't show up we cancel it. What did those people need that would have gotten them in there? What's the evaluation process? >> That's going to be that's it. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Rosie. So earlier tonight you talk about a
topic booth you wanted to discuss this with. We have many members of different classes here and I myself attend many different classes during the week. So we do we do have a good showing. Today I
was at a class this morning strength and balance and they had about 28 people here. >> So um I I think we should really allow the people who have attended tonight to speak up. They have many thoughts about payment.
How many of those 28 were ready residents? >> Many of the 28 left residents that read in the class >> about a quarter John about in general about a quarter of the people are out of jobs.
>> Okay. So 25 >> attend were in that session today. >> So then if last week I I were like 25 in a in a session. So if we're paying them
$5 I mean I feel like a set rate is more fair. I mean or not not above a certain amount like 25 time 5 is $125 28 times five is we actually pay them for
>> well that's what I'm seeing participant and I wonder why not perception like it would be up to a maximum allowance but anyway I just want to make sure John Ron, Ron, John, I just want to make sure
that all voices are heard and then if >> as usual I'm the one who always go um >> but we love your perspective. >> You know I you've been uh you know asking an awful lot of questions to Carrie and and Jenna and at times you
know Jenna has pointed out they've been looking at some of this stuff for a year. Yeah. >> They're having meetings all the time. I think sometimes you just have to sit back and let the people who have been working on it, who have been doing all the things, let them do their stuff
that you you you can only expect so much from them and if they're putting all this time in, respect what they've got to say. That's my >> Thank you. John Ryan just want to make sure everybody's had an opportunity. I real
quick just um to follow up like something Karen just said as an IT project manager I second the idea of having a pilot >> just to work out maintenance I don't think it has to be nine months no >> I'd say like just three months at the most
>> the end of this fiscal year >> yeah exactly so that way we if there are things that need to be worked out we can go we can even go back to the vendor and say hey this part isn't working what can you do >> yeah I mean I think it would be beneficial icial if we did start with
the model that we're offering now and see how that works. >> Yeah. >> For the next few months and if we notice that no one's registering or you know it's unfavorable then we can look into a different pilot program and again we
could only run that pilot program with financial assistance >> from I wanted to throw too is the COA you know again not voting but just our way amen will cover the cost in this
particular land pilot program and it's not a decision that we need to make tonight but it is something to consider is is that you know that's is that part of our role okay so madam chair this brings the point I
think and I this is probably not the right time to mention this but see I am suggesting madam chair that in March we have a special COA meeting for the board itself because I know we're
also going to be having a joint meeting with REC in March. So, we definitely need a COA special meeting board itself to discuss a lot of these topics and consider them. So, that's what I'm
>> and then I forget Maryland. Maryland first. We talking about cushion pilot cost. I don't know buffer buffer pilot cost and some other word something we don't have enough money for. Um do we have any kind of estimate of what kind
of money you're looking for? >> Well, if you run if you want to do I mean I don't really think you you're coming with a straightforward solution right now either. I think it's kind of
like a a think tank. Um and people would like to do certain things. So if you are thinking that you want to like eliminate the sessions completely um or keep the sessions but have more flexibility. I don't I don't
know what you're looking for really. >> Um what's the cush what do you have any image of what the number would be if we had if a cushion exists? What number it would make you comfortable with a cushion? For one thing, any idea? >> I mean, for a year, yeah, maybe 20,000.
>> Okay. All right. That's not a million dollars. >> No, not a million. >> But we just have no numbers. So, we And we don't know what you've been talking about. >> And it's more like it's more to be able to accommodate people like that are missing a session. We don't want to penalize people for that. Like, me and Jennifer had extensive talks about that.
>> Okay. For the pilot, you said we would have to help subsidize, if I understood, and I may have been wrong. I'm I'm tired. things are going in one ear and they're forgotten by the time they come out the other. Um, but it pilot we said we needed money to do the pilot if we were going to do any idea what the
dollar figure might be. >> So for for the memberships we calculated it that to pay for just our fitness instructors alone, not including everything else that we're going to have to start charging for too in the future. >> Yeah. >> Um but for our fitness structure fitness
instructors alone it's 48,000. So, say if we just did um the membership program for an entire year, we would need 240 people to pay $200 in a membership. >> Well, yeah. Yeah, but like are we going
to guarantee that we're going to get 240 people to buy the membership? And that's why we would need the buffer for people who don't want to purchase that membership. >> Well, and I guess my point is sort of going along with Maryland. It's one of
the things that I be frustrated with is not having a fair understanding of total costs of running things at Pleasant Street. So, for example, none of these instructor's costs show up in any way in the budget.
And in my mind, they should show up both as an expense and anticipated revenue. And if we had some and in doing that what you could also say to us and the way I've begun to think about it is in the same way the town thinks about its
budget. The town prepares a budget and it says and we're going to need x amount of dollars in free cash. The trust fund is your free cash. Now they never need just that amount. to changes and they
come back. Sure. But going in, the town knows this is what we think we're going to have to take from precache. Getting information up front for a conversation about this is what we think we need for a buffer allows us to have a
fuller and richer discussion before voting that from you because we've got a the full ramifications of everything. >> Right. But how would I know how many people are going to pay for the memberships to know the exact >> I get that you don't know. So you have to put forth.
>> You have to put forth your best estimate. >> Yeah. >> You said in the presentation that you looked at the numbers and quote unquote you'd need 75% of current attendees to buy a membership. So, if that's your
best estimate, you say, "We anticipate this figure in revenue." Either you do anticipate you'd get the 75% or you say, "No, I think we'd only get 25%." You put that forth. We understand where you're
coming from and we can have a discussion. Then, that's all that you can do. It's what the town does when they put forth their revenue. It's their best guess as to the revenue. So all I'm saying is if you can help us understand
what you need when you're preparing a full budget, it would help us make >> I think it's very very challenging right now to do that when everything has been free for so long and it's hard to gauge how many people are willing to pay when things are free right now.
>> Yes, times have changed. >> Yeah. Yes, it is. >> Okay. If you pay by the month and it's $5 a class, no may say $20 for the month. If you miss one of those weeks, does that
go to the next month, you only pay $15? >> No. >> And I talked about that today that we would not like to penalize people, but still have some type of boundary. So, say like six months you can miss three
classes or something like that. You know what I mean? Um >> because I do think the payment sometimes makes people accountable for coming. >> Yes. >> And not taking a slot because sometimes when people go on my active center, they just sign up, sign up, sign up, sign up, sign up because there's an availability
and there's no onus for signing up. It's just signing up because it's available. >> But when you're paying for something, you want to commit yourself to that program, >> right? >> Yeah. So I, you know, I don't want people to be penalized if they're sick or something because that's just what I'm saying. Yeah. >> That's ridiculous. Um because we work at
a population where people get I get sick. I mean I'm around my kids. People get ill, people go to the doctors, things come up. I get that. So that's why we want to fix that. >> Snowtorm season starts close. >> Right. Right. Exactly. >> Just a just help me understand the
formula funding. Where in the fiscal year 27 cycle when when do we find out what what the funding is? We find that out. >> I think it's the same, right? Yeah. So it's it's dependent on how many seniors you have in your community per per your
year. Um so typically I think we find out in in the in the fall usually for the next fiscal year. Um I think this year it was let me see 110,000
is the projection for FY27. >> It just seems like a lot of discussion about cost hinges on how much funding we can't handle, >> right? So, if the town were able to absorb the salaries and that formula
grant went towards programming, we'd be golden. We wouldn't even convers the you know the COA we do across fund money there is also that bucket of $50,000 so I think that you know where there is so much that's unknown because
I think that there will be fewer people participating especially out of town once we you know go to full payment um so there's so much that's unknown that's why I do see the pilot program needs to happen now so that we can be open and just kind of you know really keep on top
of the data to see you know who's pay you know >> who's coming >> who's coming you know they're paying >> who's not coming >> yeah are the numbers decreasing and what kind of buffer do we need to >> is the co I mean 90 cents from the I
mean you've also the $50,000 that Jame has mentioned too so there is there is money buffer >> that's in yeah in the donation account >> right in the donation account so I feel like for the buffer >> you don't want to use that though >> that we have some money to to kind is
used as needed. So as part of the transition because you know this is all this right >> and so you know that's part of our responsibility to stay away and say we
the ability to um have during this period of transition but again it's open for votes on it you can't commit to it but um but I think it's a good time to open it up to the to those who are in
the because you're a quick figure. If let's say $60 a month per
12 months comes to seven. If you do that with 60 people, it comes out to about 17,000 some of the trying. So that's another thing to think about.
>> I might change the subject from finances to technology. Please bear in mind that many people bully myself. I don't know anything about technology. I've just learned my as one I have to send in Illinois to know
now that I have to learn something new >> frustrating. I attended the different classes here to learn this program. >> So I'm sure there were many people like me who don't know how to even turn on a computer.
>> Yep. And and we're going to be doing the March 12th session in that session too. and in the pleasantries. Anyone's more than welcome to call me and I will help anyone and do one-on ones. I will. I will because that's that's what we're
going to have to do anyways in the new in the new transition till senior and you're doing this. >> And then we have a group sessions >> and we have a tech person who's going to be helping us in April and beyond. >> Yeah. >> To train the seniors, John Tedesco.
Thanks, John, if you're listening. He's awesome. Um what do we what what's this program called Anna officially? Tech tech talk. Um so he's going to be doing that. Um and then I'm sure even the if we ask the people who run the software
to run a training they probably would too. >> We need a lot of training sessions for people. >> Yeah. >> Simply ask I think a training session where you're like you bring your own computer in might be helpful too because for me watching someone do it I was like my head was going to pop off today. And and you don't have and you don't have to
use it, right? If you're not comfortable using it, you can call us. You can come into and register. >> You know, it's not a requirement that you need to use software yourself. >> But like I'm saying, if you want to bring a computer into a session and try to practice with your own stuff, you could do that or
>> with the new system. Can you register >> without paying? Because some people would prefer to pay by check. No, you would have to reg like if you come in with a check, you you can't register for something and not pay. >> You'd have to you'd have to pay with the check.
>> But if things fill up quickly, I'm just thinking people it's easier to, you know, register online, right? >> So, they might get closed out even they're paying by chat. >> Yeah. I mean, a lot of our classes aren't >> maxed.
>> Yeah. maxed maxed right now, but certainly if they were that would be something that we could consider part of the pilot >> early reg like for those more popular programs we could do in person registrations only or we can get creative >> once we move we'll be able to take care
of more people have more people sign up for classes >> Oh yeah'll be a lot of staff space >> and we won't be crowded and best >> okay back to monies for a minute the the monies that you're talking about are you looking for us to fill a gap between now and the fiscal budget.
Are you looking for monies for people forever? >> Well, we would have to get we would have to get in FY27. We don't have any additional funding right now. >> So, every the buffer would have to come directly from the Council on Aging or
perhaps like by some miracle people did pay for the memberships and did pay for the class passes and we were fine. um then we wouldn't have to do anything. But yeah, our proposal for the FY28 when recal opens would be our suggestion
would be to move that grant funding over. And so it we're hoping that it wouldn't be forever with our strategy, but it's not a guarantee because >> So you're looking for at least a fiscal year FY27.
>> Yes. >> And maybe into 20. >> Yes. Yeah. depending on the budget here. >> Will the will the town will the town pay for the employees? >> Yeah. >> And for the location, >> will we the council agent have to pay
for any employees? Well, all the part-time staff, and we're going to be talking about this at the March 9th meeting, a lot of the part-time staff will be offset by the um recreation revolving fund, but certainly if in FY28, if we were to move the formula
grant over um into staff >> into from staff into programming, we could use that that programming money for additional staff. So part-time staff, part-time, you know, you know, social worker, part-time,
>> counselor. >> Yeah. So there's a lot of options that you can do with that money. >> Yep. We did hire a new parttime. He's starting. >> Yeah. >> All right. community or something.
>> I just where things stand. One of the things that you've heard about many times in those three years of discussion is that because for rec programs you can charge above and do charge above just the cost of it and it goes into some funds somewhere. You know where it is
all in fund. >> Yeah. Thank you. Uh but part of the notion was and the benefit of bringing us all together was that one of the places that money could be used would be to cover costs that couldn't be covered otherwise on the senior center side. Is
that still part of this formula and is that being piloted? What's in >> Are you talking about the the wreck piece? >> Yes. Well, yeah, because all of the money that they will bring in for new programming and money that they will are running at other places that they can
now run in recal, >> right? >> Um because it's all if whatever we get from rentals and programming through wreck, >> right, >> can be used towards offsetting part-time
program staff and other things in the building. So most of what we're talking about are fees might get largely offset by that if all if all goes according to the ideal plan. >> Well, not not the fees for programming, the fees for part-time staff.
>> Why not the fees for programming? >> Because w programming and elder and human services programming are completely separate. So it has to be things that are, you know, >> shared. >> Yeah. So like the this the front desk staff, the program supervisor at night,
that could all be offset by recreation. Um but it can't be rec because the money that Wreck takes in has to go towards their programming, not not towards EHS program. It it it's illegal to kind of >> I'm not disagreeing. I'm just saying my
brain a little confusing. >> My brain didn't process it that way when I heard it. >> Yeah. and and we'll be going over a lot of this on March 9th. >> But if that's the case, there's really no plus for us to be in the same building with Rick. Is there
>> there's a lot of benefits and a lot of financial benefits that you'll be seeing. And yes, >> at the moment and I'll admit, >> you wouldn't have any front desk staff. >> I'll admitting to not understanding what I heard at the time. I didn't know enough about it. But now that I'm
understanding that, I'm really puzzled about the relationship. That's a different conversation. >> Several part-time staff in the building that COA will not have to pay for that is going to be offset by the recreation revolving fund. >> Okay. So, um, if you would like it for
me, you could I did do the math. >> Okay. Just one second. Could you stand or would you prefer to >> would you identify and tell us your name and your address and you get two minutes. >> Sure. >> Okay.
>> My name is Camila. I live at Augustus and Ready. I did do the math. If you have a me, you have 471 people that come to the center. If you charge them an annual fee of $100, which is $8.34 a month, $1.97 a week, you
would get $47,100. For the people that take instructed classes, you would charge an additional $100, which would which I understand is 60, which comes out to $7,500, which comes out to about $53,000.
And you just tell the people right then and there, your annual fee is going to be $100. If you want to join, you join. Then you're going to get a great idea and you're going to get your buffer. >> Easy. Thank you.
>> Well, it it would be in theory if all those people would actually pay for the membership. >> Well, that's going that's why you say you pay your fee is going to be as of April 1st $100. The people that pay pay. The people that don't don't. But I need
to let you all know we love our instructors. We will follow them to other senior centers and pay the three bucks that the senior centers are are charging. and don't pay for people who don't come because for whatever reason.
I mean, some people go away for the for three months to Florida. So, all you got to do is say, you know, this is it. You're going to pay April 1. You want to paid, you pay. It's a hundred bucks. You can't go to McDonald's for $8.34
a month. So, the people that really want to come here are going to come here or you're going to lose people. Thank you. >> Who else? >> Yes. Uh Sandy Kishian. I live at 14 Shady Hill in Reading and I take four
courses and I did the math and I have to think twice. That's over $1,000 a year. If I am for a flat fee, a membership fee, um that entitles you to take any class you want. I'm not
talking about special events or anything like that. And I think it's scary. You want us to stay healthy and engaged and if you make it this monthto-month business, which the accounting is going to be a nightmare because I don't give
my credit cards to anyone. And I don't want to put that on a web on a on a secure site. I'd rather pay by check. uh register online, but that requires people here to receive the check. It's a lot of counting on on staffs. You're not
thinking about that. And why aren't you offering membership to the other towns if they want to come to courses here? Do you know how many people in PMP pom class come from other uh locations? with the instructor
>> uh because of the instructor uh offered them a membership. You want to take classes here, you got to buy a membership and I bet they do it. >> Yeah, I bet they would too. I don't think that was discussed at any meeting. >> Thank you.
>> Well, my name is 35 street. Um, I just think if you have an instructor and you have less than 10 people that you have to cancel that instructor, you know, why are you paying them $125
when somebody else is pulling in 25 people a class? It's just that you should have a a limit, you know, okay, if you have less than 10, sorry, can't keep you. That's my suggestion.
sim. Um I think the idea that's been cast around this group of a pilot um uh period is an excellent idea. I think the attendance that you have right here shows you that you can probably
have some ready volunteers that would be willing to give it a try. And I also strongly suggest that you push that date up. Um, we're into March now. So that gives you
one month to get ready for people to start paid programs. And I don't know about people that are sitting around the room here, but you know, when did you first notice this? And what about the
other 350 people that are coming here and all of a sudden it is going to start for them. So I would strongly urge a pilot program and um I would strongly urge a
push back on this date because the center is not going to open till 27. I understand there's a shortfall in the budget, but um you know, let's see. Maybe the town will
put in some free cash money. Let's start asking for things. Thank you. >> Is there any money available for funding these programs for March and for April? I don't think there is, is there? >> Nope. No. >> I think we had to allocate money last to
get this month running. >> We are funding ends now. So this is why it does go to >> Oh, they are things are paid for through the end of the year. The meals, you said all the meals we told the last meeting. The meals right now we have remaining budget till the end of the fiscal year.
>> When's that? >> Yeah. June. >> June. >> End of June. Thanks. Um I, you know, I just wanted to add to your discussion. I think it's really important that um the finance committee hear your concerns about the
budget situation as well. And um so their hearings, it's a public hearing on the upcoming town budget. It starts March 4th. Jenna Jenna will know when um the elder services budget will be presented and and could let people know.
it. The earlier suggestion about reaching out to town meeting members is great as well. And and really the way this works is the town meeting members should also be paying attention to these budget presentations now. And some of them do and not all of them. But I just wanted to let you know there is another
opportunity to to raise concerns, budget concerns. Um so thank you and I appreciate all the comments that are being made tonight. Thanks. >> Thank you. All right. So you've heard it. I mean I I not to discredit it at
all the effort that you put in but I do think that that there are some some recommendations and some thoughts and some concerned that we as a COA and some of the residents some of the presidents who use
the who participated in activities I think it's just important to pause here um what we understand as well and just have some flexibility because it is a big adjustment for everybody and you know we're here to
explain because it is going to be it is a big from to be the last question. >> All right. Um just it's come up in different ways. the
notion of what constitutes a senior program and what doesn't because people over age 60 maybe taking everything. I'd like to see that and that's part of what we want to accomplish is have them involved in more wreck and have
built it in all time and like where does this this dollar goes to the guys and this dollar goes to you guys if I'm over 60 is my payment going to go to services just because I'm over 60 >> well if it's because it's an el
>> Yeah. So if it's a a program that's run by recreation, let's say if it's like 40 plus basketball or you know, >> okay, >> pickle ball for >> for any ages. >> Okay. >> If it's run through the recreation division, then it will go through the
recreation revolving fund. If it's run as an EHS program and it's in the pleasantries, >> then they'll they'll run through their revolving fund. >> I think that's okay. All right. So next okay all right >> so additional questions and final
thoughts for the especially you know around this agenda item case so your answer you just then so if you were thinking of memberships you're thinking of memberships only for
seniors and those be going to the elder and human services or if you at any time thought about membership period I think there was something in the initial discussion when you presented the membership packet of of maybe a fee for a membership in
the community center. Is there any thought of that or these ideas of membership are just for >> the 60 plus? Yeah, the membership idea is just for the 60 plus because anything that's >> run through recreation right now is
predominantly fee based and then everything else that's open to the whole entire community um like the walking track or drop in open gym or something like that >> that that's completely free. And the other question which is the original question I meant to ask was in all the
other centers that you have looked at does anybody have a membership team? >> That's a great question. Um >> does I know Newton does punch cards. I don't know if they do um like membership reviews,
>> but we did um after the discussion here um >> and we got feedback on I think it was Jody um very eloquently said oh like could we have like the tiered membership option when we move into the new center and I wasn't really sure like what the
capability was of the system the new system. So, we asked our software person and they're like, "Oh, yeah." And other communities because they're they're kind of newer to um Massachusetts, but they have a lot of like southern and yeah um
>> other parts of the country and have similar models. Um and they do do a lot of memberships and it's actually on their platform that we can create memberships within the platform and they can be specific to 60 plus or the community as a whole. We'll probably do
the fitness membership through that platform as well. So, um >> it's definitely a possibility >> specific. >> Yes. Yes, it's related. >> Thank you. >> It's related. Um did you look at the why? Because the Y seems like it works
like a miracle. I pay my member Well, I don't even pay my membership. My Blue Cross plan's paying my membership for me at the moment. I don't even see it show up on a credit card. just that pass works for about 10 months of the year, not the whole year. So, two months I actually put it on a Visa card. Um,
there were many programs there that cost me nothing. The pool, yoga, all kinds of things, nothing covered. But they also have things like I've paid for personal trainer at times. Somehow this all works. Have you and I didn't see them on your list of anywhere you've
looked at for their model and their software. Did you talk to >> for the YMCA for their um gym software? >> No, for their Y me their Y membership. You pay them annual membership fee. You can only pay monthly membership fee.
>> And how much is the >> I think it's like 560 for for >> Yeah. And they do also offer like other additional programs for fees. I know there are things that's what I'm saying >> that kind of offset all of that.
>> That's what I'm saying. They have some things that cost money like a personal trainer costs money if you want one cost a lot. >> And yeah, and we >> and some of their programs do, but they also have tons of stuff that's covered by that. And somehow their system manages all this.
>> Yeah, absolutely. And again, we would love we are on board as a team. We would love to see these things implemented like a punch card or a class membership. Um I think Newton does have like a variety of other towns have a variety of
things that people can do. They can register for the session. They can do the membership. They could do do a class punch card because with this population people have different needs and come for different things and some people come here to just socialize and have a meal.
>> Um some people like the fitness classes, some people only come for art. So, you know, it is nice to have all those options, but to have all those options, we need funding to back us up. >> And that's it's a question of paying for the software that would do that.
>> The the soft get funding because people would have to pay their membership, get in the door. Um, and it would grow assuming you had programs they liked. Um but >> we can't force people to pay a membership though that you know don't
come to fitness classes offer offer, you know, it might be helpful to take a choice and see >> because if we don't offer it as a choice then we don't know. >> Yes. >> But I'm wondering about offering it as as an option. >> Yeah. >> And we can do that with the buffer with
the >> I mean just know that we we're not leaving you out to we're not hanging you out. We want >> and we just want you to know that we're open to those possibilities. >> We don't want this to fail. >> Somebody said that what everything that she participates in now would cost her
$1,000 a year >> and so you know that that's in significant. So we want to consider that authority. >> But no, that's pretty much what you were saying. If it's going to cost someone thousand dollars, trust me, they're not
going to come. >> Well, people They won't. >> My thing is I and I did some research on this and there are a lot of throughout the country the most popular way for
seniors to take in revenue to meet their budgets is membership. >> So that is something that really maybe that's the way it should start. Offer membership and see if they'll take it.
Yeah. All right. So, um, thank you so much for your willingness, you know, for for you, you know, you've you've come prepared. You've answered our questions. Sorry, Ron. >> No, no, no. I want to give everybody a chance. >> Well, I just was going to say that maybe at our next
>> council meeting, we just take up the idea and possibly a vote on funding the pilot program, which would include a membership option. I think we need a concrete proposal because
>> very we can work on that. >> Yeah. I mean, >> I don't really specifically know. >> Well, can you give us something on our next meeting? >> Yeah. I don't think that we'll be able to come up with a brand new pilot
program and figure out all the the dollars and cents and like the level of detail that you're looking for. Um, so I think like there might need to be some flexibility on your part to just say, "Hey, like
we can fund some money. We can fund X amount of money with this pilot program because we don't we don't know how many people are going to pay for this membership." That's the thing. So, we can't pilot something and then people don't actually pay for the membership and then we have no money to pay the
instructors. >> And I wouldn't know how many people Let's work on that and we can present it at the next one. Does that make sense? You know, we can present at um as a co and can discuss it and then
vote is freshly made. >> Um so our next meeting is March 9th. It is a joint meeting. Um it looks like I wanted this this >> is there any reason you couldn't discuss having a special meeting right now?
>> Yes. Yes, that's the house which is going to get us a sense of who's available soon. >> I was thinking we could do something around our operations meeting in which is March 9 and I think it's going to be at 6:30 because that works better for the record.
>> Oh yeah, I I wasn't exactly sure on the time. So I think I was considering maybe something before after that but I think we do need a separate meeting. So um >> the rec department
>> is the rec department that one? Yeah. On the ninth. Yeah. >> It's the next the operations group is going to be the town group is going to be meeting with us and and sharing information with us. >> Uh so in March.
All right. So, we're meeting March 9. >> Yeah. >> Oh, wait. I'm sorry. >> They're meeting on the 12th. >> Yeah. So >> next Thursday night
I might have to attend, right? March >> giving them the money. >> Yeah, we'll talk about you know the pilot and our willing. So March 5th,
>> March 5th 6 or Thursday 6:30 >> March 5th 6:30 >> night >> when I wanted a different time. I didn't get that consideration. >> March. We can't do March. It's got
>> it's too close to March 9th. That's a lot of like >> nighttime stuff. >> But it's got to be before the 12th. >> Why is it supposed to be before the 12th? >> Because you're doing the train. >> You need the buffer to know this. >> Well, no. We're we're still rolling out the sessions and starting to charge on
March 23rd. We have to move forward with our with our plan to the community because this is what we've advertised. This is what we've been presenting. This is what the majority of the people who have come to these sessions and the majority of people that we've talked to at the center know. >> Okay.
>> And then we can implement >> these other options >> as we go. >> So, did you say roll out is the 23rd? >> Yeah. That's when registration starts for the sessions in March. >> It's in the March newsletter. >> Yeah.
We won't even have like enough information to prepare. >> March 23rd, people who want to sign up for classes have to use the new system. >> That's insane. window. >> Yeah. No one has like there's a small
percentage of people who use my active center. Most people do call and register in person anyways. >> You don't have to do it that way, >> right? You don't have to. people don't register,
>> right? We're looking at the 12th and later. >> It's only So, you'd only have to register for five classes that are fitness only. That's what we're rolling out March 29th. Not every >> Oh, so you're going to jointly
>> for now? Yes, we're going to roll. Yeah. >> Yeah. Because Best Fitness is now she's offering it for free. So that remains a drop that's gonna remain a drop in class unless Best Fitness B. >> Oh, okay.
>> And then our Zumba instructor isn't going to be here for um she said at least the month of >> April because she's going on vacation or something. >> So let's talk and we'll come up with something and if I >> think you need to be here
>> as this too. You want me to run it? Does it start after >> start at 9:00? >> Sorry. Have we talked enough? >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you.