It might be delayed a little just because of the Wi-Fi. >> Six. >> Oh, that that exactly six. >> I can't see. >> Yes. >> Harris, right?
Yes. >> Okay. >> Ron >> here. >> Jean >> here. >> Darren >> here. Marilyn >> here. >> Kate >> here. >> Rosemary >> here. >> John >> here. And John. Um,
next thing is the overview of the of of the agenda. Um, we are going to add the PBC report because that was inadvertently left off and that should be part of every meeting. And uh, we left off the uh the opening joke.
So, so we'll start with that. Um, there was this elderly woman who got caught shoplifted. The jokes in the senior center. So, an elderly woman got caught shoplifting. And she's standing there in front of the judge and she's looking up at the bench and he's looking down at her and and her and the paperwork and he
says, "I see you get caught shoplifting." He He says, "What did you take?" He said, "Well, I took a can of peaches." He says, "How many peaches were in the can?" He says, "Six, your honor." So, he says, "Well, to teach you a lesson, I'm going to sentence you to six days in
jail." All of a sudden, this male voice at the end way in the back of the courtroom says, "Your honor, that's my wife up there. Could I say something on this?" Judge says, "Well, it's really uh not really protocol, but but go ahead. What do you have to say?" The husband says, "Well, you know, she
also took a can of peas." >> Is that a good joke for a senior? >> Okay. So, the next thing is the approval of the minutes. Do we have uh >> any Did you have any questions? >> Um quite a few. I don't think I'll go through them all. Um there you are. I
appreciate that you hit the AI transcripting and didn't have it and it was the last minute. Um but there are gaps um on virtually anything that a decision was made. The details of John made a motion and someone seconded it and seven people are missing. We we we
should put it in there for the record. Um there are other places >> the attendance is at the top, >> but that doesn't tell you who vote that we actually had a motion and what it said and the wording of the motion. It it's just protocol. Uh and again, I appreciate you you weren't presented
with what you expected and you had a short window. Um but I'd ask that we go back and tighten them up. Um also some of the discussion like when we got discussing the orientation packet there's mention about um issues
with the links which did come up but the conclusion of the discussion was that the links were all working. It's just that it's will they'll only work when it's posted. So kind of the punchline got lost. It's just it's details. So if you just read the minutes it's somewhat misleading in places. So I would ask
that we fill in those gaps. >> Sorry. Could you repeat that? >> Yeah. On the um discussion of the packet, the orientation packet, it mentions that we discussed things like >> the links about the links, >> right? But the links actually Jen um
Karen went on to clarify that the links actually are fine. It's just that within the PDF, some of them are not active, but when it's posted on the website, they will be. So, there's no action required on that. It's little things like that. Um if you want, I could talk you through some of it. I didn't write
it all out. It's just they're minor gaps and I understand your situation. It's just things like that become the record and someone saying, "Why didn't the links get fixed?" I'm like, "Well, there weren't any problems." You know, >> I just used it. >> I I I understand what you did. I know. So, anyway, um I would ask that we
tighten up the minutes before we vote and accept them. So, maybe next meeting we'll have it amended and revisited. >> Do you have anything else? >> So, what are you doing? making a motion to uh >> I'm making a motion to kick the can down
to next month because there's information that's missing and needs to be added and I don't give it all. I didn't go through it in detail. I just in noticing it things jumped out at me they knew were missing and I looked them up and it confirmed they were missing and I gather there probably some more as well.
>> I don't hear a second. >> I second. >> Okay, there's a second. So, uh, all in favor of the motion. Um, yeah, but we don't have anybody on the screen. >> No, we don't.
>> So, that's four in favor. So, five in favor. So, >> no one else. >> Five doesn't do it, but we need six. >> Six. >> I was I was gonna stay in the garden.
>> Oh, that's right. The new rules. It's a smaller majority. Yeah, that's right. Thank you. >> I should mention before we go any further besides the people that we had for attendance, we've got Jenna on screen, Nora Buckle is also on Zoom.
Janitor Bo for uh volunte coordinator for the town and Nancy Zim. There's a place for public comment. I guess you're the public. >> No comment. That's quick. >> And the discussion for voting. >> Pardon me.
>> Discussion for vote for secretary. >> Yeah. No, I I see that. I understand Ron has decided to run for secretary. >> Yes. >> Do we have anybody else who wants to name on the ballot? >> Seeing none, all in favor raise their hands.
>> Anybody oppose? You didn't put your hand up front. Oh, so it's it's official. Honestly, secretary. >> Next thing on the agenda is a public comment. What does public have to say? >> Um, doing a great job.
>> Is that it? >> Okay. So why don't we go to the um the PBC report to set that into >> part of the agenda. >> So Ron you can report please should be pretty. So we met on Wednesday 6
and you know uh one of the things we talk about is the state of the project. uh construction officially started on the 17th of March and it's a 499 day
timeline for substantial completion of the project. So that that puts the substantial completion date at July 9th and we are looking at a soft opening September 3rd is the day that I see so
of 2028. So that is on target. Uh right now we're um actually putting in the concrete foundation this week. So that's the so it's already started the trees have already been cleared the ground has already been leveled and um they're
laying the concrete this week uh there also um the structural steel and wood framing and um the concrete slabs are next uh in
the next two to three months. Uh, one thing I did want to provide a brief update on where things stand regarding our conversations about meeting space. As you know, last time we met, we talked about the need for small to support small programs um, and
looking for different meeting space alternatives. At the heart of the discussion was that council on aging clearly expressed the goal of creating more small program space to better serve our 60 plus community. And one of the options that was proposed to accomplish
that was the divider. That was one way to address the need, but it's not the only possible solution. So, um, over the past several weeks, I've had positive, constructive conversations with town staff and EDC chair focused on
how best to address this underlying need. I think we all agree that's an important need. Question is how best to achieve that. Uh so as part of those discussions I ask that we temporarily pause the divider conversation not to take the idea off
the table but to create space to explore whether there are other practical ways to solve the problem. And I know that um one understandable question that you might have is if the project is currently tracking $2.5 million under
budget why not simply move forward with the provider? Um, that's a fair question, but uh, construction projects are a bit like home renovations. Just because things look favorable at one point doesn't mean that every dollar
difference is automatically available for additions. Put this in terms of a football game. If this were this project were a football game, it'd be in the middle of the first quarter and maybe we're up seven to nothing. That doesn't mean that we have seven
points to give away to the other team. That just means we're in a good position right now. >> So it's it's not just as easily as saying let's take whatever it costs for the divider from our savings and spend it now because there are some strong
economic headwinds with gasoline prices, oil prices. So the town and the PBC have been trying very hard to and doing a good job of effectively managing the budget to to try to keep cost out. So
uh so you know rather than focus on one specific solution I feel the more productive path is to stay focused on solving the underlying problem. what can we do to provide small program space, make sure that there's
adequate space for these programs. And you know, last time we met, we talked about some possible solutions that the town seemed favor to. One of those was the um rec conference room. The other one was
um the maker space and also we talked about the game room. I know that there was some push back and some discussion about that. I think we we saw that there might be some value to having some programs meet there. Um but it's a
little bit more complicated than saying you know one way or the other how that that space is going to be used on a consistent basis. So, uh, so I just wanted to share that those conversations with the town and the
permanent building committee have been producing movement and they've been very productive. Uh last night the chair uh Pat Tommpkins reached out to me to let me know that the town staff has been actively developing alternative
solutions options to propose including uh possible maker space concepts and uh those additional details including the rationale and tradeoffs are going to be forthcoming in town. So I look forward to reviewing those and
sharing those with the council at a later date. But I see that as a positive step. Um, you know, my focus remains the same, advocating for practical, fiscally responsible solutions that address our goal of creating small program space for
the 60 plus community. So, that's my update there. >> Hi, Joe. Um, thank you for all that input, but I have hesitancy to say I still think we
should look into a divider because I think small space going forward, not might not be necessarily right now. Uh, there could be more new programs added with smaller space. I think a divider is
important. I am not for using other rooms that have already been designated for a purpose because then we're still doing what we're doing here right now. We're not getting the space. We're
losing space actually if we constantly put in and use a program. If it's for a game room, put a different class in. I absolutely think we should do that. periodically
but not considering that going forward when doing uh programs. I think we definitely should do a divider. If we cannot do the full divider, then we just put the mechanics in for right now and then go forward in a year or two and
then buy the actual divider, the floor. Or you take and research other dividers that are not that expensive. I just feel very strongly that if we start utilizing rooms that have been designated for a
sole purpose and use it for another purpose, we're losing space as the senior center. That is just my thought on that. >> Thank Thank you. Okay. >> Anyone else? My concern is that this isn't really
money matters, design matters, all those things absolutely matter, but the priority is making sure we're better serving seniors. And the the question for having a divider in the first place was to take a space thousand square feet
that can only generate whatever revenue is associated with the activity in that room. And we don't have right now small room spaces for smaller activities which I suspect I don't have the data. I'm not going to ask for data at the end of my rant is that I suspect that's a very
common characteristic of programs that are popular among seniors. And if we're making them use a thousand square feet, we're running something that's not going to generate the revenue that room has the capability to produce. and we're not
going to run two programs instead of just one, which we could with a divider. So, when you think about what we're providing to the seniors, it's added value to have two rooms instead of one. to know this. Well, I think what we
really need and we've asked for um but it hasn't happened yet, but I trust we'll see it soon because we heard we would see it soon, uh is some hypothetical scheduling of how is this really going to look? Are we really going to see double programming for
seniors, which was was promised to us at the town meeting? have already fixtures in it or a setup of furnitureures that those participants that need devices to walk or accommodate their
stability, they just going into a that has been set up for a program and I think that's important not just for seniors but for the community in general. >> Okay. Anybody else?
>> Okay. So, we'll move on to the next item on the agenda which is the select board update. >> We didn't get to kitchen windows. >> He's moving on. He didn't do kitchen windows yet. I don't have a kitchen and windows update. >> It's part of what's going to be on the agenda.
>> It's on the agenda for next month, but I'm I'm only speaking to the update from the last meeting. >> From the last meeting, it was announced that at the next meeting, they will put on the agenda the kitchen, which is something that needs to be explained and the windows which needs to be explained.
>> I can explain it. You want the kitchen? >> The the kitchen. I as an individual sent letters to both the PBC and to the slug board pointing out that a study that was done by the PBC raised serious question as to whether the kitchen can be used
for leasing and even whether it can be used for something like serving a large lunch because volunteers are not allowed to use it under what that report says under the choice that was made and the choice involved not making the building
ADA compatible with the requirements for public use. And so I sent the PBC and the select board a list of questions specifying will we be able to lease it? Will we be able to use volunteers? It was five questions. And I was assured that the
PDC would respond and I raised my hand again and said just a friendly reminder, haven't heard from you and it's been several months. And so they had promised to put it on next month's agenda for discussion. There also is an issue about window placement up around the track,
which was not my idea, but I understood it, but I'll probably misrepresent it if I try to. But there's a question about optimal placement of windows around the walking track. Um, so I just wanted people to be aware this potentially has
a big the kitchen has a potentially big interest impact on leasing which is revenue which was part of the you know leasing out the multi-purpose room for function space which even could have include included wedding receptions to quote Mark Derer
um and unless those are going to be brown bag wedding receptions I don't think it's going to work right now from what the consultants are telling us and it affects construction as well as operations because there are oper there are ADA compliance issues that would
need to be resolved in the construction in order to make it truly a public kitchen. So I just wanted people to be aware I will be there. There's many people who care about it that come. I think it would be important to be heard of the discussion. I do want to add that uh permanent
building committee did take a vote on the windows a couple meetings ago by a vote of 7 to one. They voted down the uh >> but they put it on the agenda for the next meeting again. >> Yeah. >> And they put it on the agenda that they will discuss the kitchen at the next
one. >> Okay. going on. >> Um, happy to be here. Um, I also did attend the permanent building committee and um, you know, I spent two years on the
Kellum School building committee and also spent time on the library building committee. Um, I I'm concerned. I understand the building committee and those strong professionals who made decisions and everybody agreed with it based on fears that the budget was going
to go way over and I appreciate those decisions. I I'm concerned though now that we got great news on the budget and we are nowhere near going through contingencies and I don't disagree with
this group bringing those back forward for another decision-m process now that we know we are not going to overspend what town meeting proved. So, you know, I appreciate that Marilyn and Ron bringing this up. And one of the things that strikes me is
that um there's only one council voice on this special member on this on this committee and the K school building committee for instance has two um members um you know plus plus the staff is participating.
Um, you know, one thing that might be of interest is to have somebody from the senior plus committee committee sign up to be an associate member for the the permanent building committee. It's a non voting member, but it could make you feel more part of the process. And and
I've also asked um staff to please reconsider this operations group that does that has very dedicated volunteers involved. Neither of which who regularly visit the senior center that that is and
and as a select board member I shouldn't be hearing week after week after week are we're not being heard that we're spending too much money to solve this problem. Um, so I think this is great conversation. I think we're all a community. We got to keep talking about
this. Um, and I will continue to do that. Um, I believe that um, Salamante may be the new second senior lean on, but I I've said I'd like to continue. This is a once in a generation
building and and I've seen how the divided woman library works and I've said this at the permanent building committee. It's divided whole time. So, this isn't this divider, which yeah, it's more expensive now because it wasn't designed in to be begin with, but that doesn't mean we throw the whole
idea out because we now actually have the money to afford it and not go over our budget. Um, so that that's my personal stance on this that we continue to talk to the permanent building committee staff about figuring out how to solve this divider problem. I'm also
very interested in this kitchen concern. I've been in there as a volunteer. I see volunteers in there. I've belonged to a club that wasn't ADA compliant and people don't attend those functions and you can't bring in a catering company if
you can't provide certain. So, you know, no disrespect to the permanent building committee, very very strong, talented building professionals, but what in my opinion, what we're seeing is not enough voice and advocacy.
You all are living this. Um, you know how the so the center operates. The members of the building committee don't. The two members on the operational task force don't. And and that that really
concerns me. So any other updates just not I appreciate the hard work you do. This is I've been to the new recal. I strongly encourage you. I don't think this group has been there yet. I'd be willing to go again. It would be good for a field trip to see and and there is
a member of the permanent building who now who is on the design team I think for the new recal. It would be so inspiring for everybody to take a ride down there and see that now it's in action and see how this, you know, adult focused center works and how it's set
up. And um yeah, as I said, I'd be happy to go see that again. It has the walking track and um everybody was playing pickle ball the day I was there and then people were walking on the walking track. It's funny. I don't remember the windows, but I understand the building um committees, the permanent building
committees, uh you know, pausing to say, well, you don't really want windows down where balls can break windows. But when you're up on a walking track, it's good to be able to see outside. It makes it much more enjoyable. That gymnasium, that walking track are fabulous. And then, of course, they have the different sites. It's not a perfect one to one
what we're trying to do here, but a lot of the spaces that you guys have designed in that that are not necessarily dedicated to seniors actually work for both populations and work for our community at large. So, um I just I'm so excited about this project and and
we need to we need to make sure your voices are heard. We are fully authorized to spend one town meeting authorized. We are nowhere near the contingency limit. Yeah, the happy news that it's coming in lower. I I'm sure the building committee, permanent
building committee doesn't want to take another vote, but there's no reason not to take another vote now that we know we're not budget busting by asking for these things and and we barely put a shovel in the ground. We've chopped down some trees. So, it will it will cost less now than it will later. That's for
sure. So, u if there's anything specific, John, you want to know, please let me know. Um >> does anybody have any questions for Karen? I guess we're ready. So, we're going to talk about the elder services report. So, this was our first full month using
the new system. So, I just want to explain my stats. So most of the stats are from my senior center and and all the exercise stats
are from Rec Technologies. So I toggled between both. Um so that's why when you see underneath the chart where it says health, wellness, and fitness, there's a dip in numbers. And that's solely because most people except for one class two
classes I think the first week of April had to register for a session by paying in wreck technologies. So with that said, um the average attendance is is is pretty
on. So one of the pro one of the things we're running into is that a lot of the teacher the teachers are determining >> Oh. Yeah, that was Jenna. That was Jenna. She's fine. should have kicked them out to begin
with. I didn't recognize the name, but >> yeah, sorry. >> So, anyway, um, one of the things we're running into is that the teacher's determining the amount of of students she wants, he or
she wants in a class. So, if the teacher says they want 10 people or the class is going to be cancelled, but we only have seven registered, we're now having to get in a position where we have to call the teacher and say, "You really want to cancel this or do you want to go
forward?" >> Three classes, >> right? >> Because of the paying system and the teachers and and it's not the money, it's how it's collected. I think that's got to be looked into. >> Yeah. We have people going that used to
go here are going to stone now >> and they're willing to pay over there. >> You had someone who was teaching a class here instead of a church a local church teaching it there getting paid for payment systems are working.
>> I mean which we So I don't I think what people don't understand is is that we don't have the money to pay for the teachers. So the people are paying the teachers and the teachers are determining what the cost is that they want to come here for.
>> Or maybe if you had like some place has like tickets where you buy the book and you could just bring any one of these classes and we're looking punched. >> Yeah. >> Well, you're gonna buy it. I don't think people like the idea of they if you spend $20 for maybe it's a lot of money
for some people $20 a month >> and if you miss one or two you have to have a doctors they see people don't want to share their health information either >> right >> so there's got to be some changes some flexibility there's got to be something in here >> and all of this is a work in progress
and we're obviously trying out all different kinds of things but right now in order to build up a baseline of money we have to charge charge. >> Well, I don't I say we should charge. No doubt about that. But >> yeah, >> it's how we charge is my question.
>> Well, I mean, I don't know how to speak to it because it's all new for all of us that we're doing the best we can with the little money we have right now. So, we're trying to make ends meet by paying the teachers and not lose any more instructors. But the in the instructors
that left had a maximum amount of attendance that they wanted and they wouldn't conduct the class for less. >> Yeah. And for Zoom but too Carrie um she didn't even want to go through the process. >> Right.
>> So that was her decision to just not go with the new platform and continue with us. So really the only fitness program that didn't run was line dancing and um line dancing had low enrollment to begin with. She was averaging about seven
people a class and um she wanted 10 as a minimum which you know wasn't realistic. So with all things considered all of the other classes are running. So um I I think that's a good step. Jean,
>> I got Oh, I'm sorry. >> I didn't notice. >> I didn't know if Carrie's done before. I want That's all I wanted to say. >> I can I can keep going if you want. >> I just need clarification. So,
the budget, we do have a budget with funds in it. Oh, we don't right now. >> Not for this, not for this year. We spent the program budget for this year >> ending when >> July >> and then we start with a with a Okay. So
this is for the next we're going to say May, June, >> month and a half, >> right? >> So going forward, if we were to get an instructor that comes in or someone to
teach a class and they were to come in and say, "Well, I will charge 150 for this particular class. 12 students and only six show up." Does she still get that 150? >> No.
>> But how? See, that is we're going to be losing instructors because if we have a budget of $1,000 and we can guarantee
10 instructors, $100 regardless how many students come in, that is still 10 programs that are going to take place. So, are we working on that kind of a budget? If we keep on working on a
a class that well, we're not sure if we're going to take place. People still have calendars. I mean, they might be in their 60s and 80s, but they still have a calendar to keep. And if they want to commit to a class and it's cancelled,
that's not fair. So I can understand why a lot of participants are upset. >> So I have a couple. >> Sure. >> So John just said something about three classes were cancelled. Is that true?
>> Two. Two. Jenn. >> Yeah. I mean that's it. I've heard different things when I'm over here and so that's why I wanted to ask you how many classes were >> I guess what I'm asking. How many classes left >> that are no longer being offered?
>> One instructor held two classes. So we lost Zumba and that was twice a week. So I think that's where the confusion. So that's two it's technically >> senior fit live. >> Senior fit and zoom are the same thing. >> Okay. Okay. >> They have the same exact same class. >> Two classes.
>> She just held it twice a week. Same instructor. >> I have another question that I was curious about. I don't think it was ever said here. I think I heard it at some other meeting in sort of a throwaway line, but one of the other changes you were thinking of making in terms of
policy was that instructors were going to have to begin to carry their own liability insurance which seemed to be when I heard that a change from the past. Has that policy changed as well that
instructors now carry their own insurance? Jenny, you you know the answer to that, right? >> Yep. So, all the fitness instructors are required to carry their own insurance and they have provided it. Um I haven't had an issue. If there's like an art
class or something like that that's a little bit um you know, it's not a physical fitness thing, then they can sign an indemnification with the town >> and won't have to provide that insurance. But, yep, they do. >> Okay.
Um And then one question on your stat sheet. So I think I know what what this means but like under health wellness and fit and lunch you have the initials MSC. >> M I'm just know what is it? >> It's my senior center.
>> Oh that's where the numbers came from. Okay. So the others are all coming out of the other >> system. No all of the numbers in the chart are from my senior center. >> Oh >> sorry for the confusion on that. Um, but I wanted you to see that the dip in
numbers for the March to April was because the classes weren't in my senior center. They were through Rec Tech. So that I had to go into Rec Tech and recount the amount of attendees in each class through Rec Technologies,
which is all written out on the bottom there. So like the average group of best is between 24 and 28 people for the four four-week session. Yeah. Well, and and that takes me to my other question that I had or observation
that is that there seems to be going back over. I took a look at the last three months, March, April, May, and I took a look back at two months back. We seem to be seeing a somewhat
steady decline, not significant, but about 10% both in number so unrelated attendees but the place where I'm really worried is there also seems to be about a 10% decline in
programs now you've just said that there's well no I'm not sure about you said we're out of program budget but I but then you said,
"I'm not sure." My question was, so the other concern I have, not only is there a decline in the number of programs, but I'm looking at the March calendar and there is literally only five afternoons in the whole where something is happening in this
room after >> and I'm trying to figure out what happened to the programs. I mean, we're seeing a slow decline. Zumba, well, I understand Zumba was in here, >> but going forward,
>> there's an overall decline in programs wherever they're taking place and in particular, this space is un underused. Now, we're moving into a new building with an enormous amount of space, >> right? And if we're starting to see
unused space and a decline in numbers here, this is not for me an encouraging sign looking at the future. And I was looking at the presentation that was given to the select board a couple months ago. You know, and again, this
wasn't explained at all, so I'm just quoting. Recal represents an opportunity for a 229% increase in program hours versus Pleasant Street. Well, if we can't build Pleasant Street now, how are we going to
build recount? Is is are we just in a dip right now? and whatever is coming down the road for what month are we in? June and July and August, we're going to see it going back up. That's kind of my >> I would hope I would hope so. I think
the dip we're seeing now is a little bit of a revolt potentially from people not wanting to pay after having had free having free classes for two plus years. Um the numbers the the classes though are doing okay. I think what's unfair is
a is that we lost Kelly like in the at the end of the year and this room would have been Anna's books out pretty far in advance. This room would have been stacked with programming whether it be people in the community doing things for free or
anything that to that we could fit in with cost. So, I think that having the space now open with no money is challenging to fill on short notice. >> Do you know what I mean? Like, we don't have a lot in programming left to then
just book like these amazing things going forward, but starting in July, Anna and I have a whole new budget starting and we'll be able to program out. But that brings me to my second point because somebody stood out of town meeting the other week and said the same essentially the same thing that Elder
and Human Services has run out of money. >> But we had a meeting in March and we had a meeting in April and we've had no requests for money and we have money but you haven't asked for any money. >> So trust funds I would think. >> Right. >> Right.
>> Right. So, so if there's a program part of the programming problem is that you don't have funding, >> then where's the funding request? >> I mean, and I'm just trying to understand where we're at right now because I get we're at the end of a
budget year. And that's why I wanted to talk to get a sense from you about what you're saying about budget. But that's also one of the questions I have because okay, if you ran out of money and that's been part of what's affected the number of programs in the last couple of
months, why haven't we heard a funding request? So, I I'm just really curious and I'm really concerned about what's happening to program because as Marilyn said, we got a new building coming and a promise that we're going to be doing better and
we haven't seen anything that suggests that to us. So >> yeah, >> just a I'm trying to make sense of the numbers. How many people have we paying customers have we had since I know
>> I think it was we've had 87 transactions which we have 379 users. So this pick 872 people have paid I think those 379 is that right Jenna
that 379 people have paid 872 times for fitness >> I don't think so because the transactions would be the total amount of um trans like I think that's the transactions for just this month too by the way um >> just this yeah just the paid
>> so I think those include all the transactions paid or unpaid but we can certainly go in and tell tell you how many people paid in the new system. I just don't have that number off the top of my head. And Kate, like I think that's a fair question that you bring up for sure about um asking the Council on
Aging for money. I think that the programs that we have are already programmed out till the end of the year and um taking care of from a budgetary standpoint and all of that. And I think Carrie's point was given the fact that Kelly left and so abruptly, we couldn't
fill the room with like these activities that people were going to sign up for right away and um find an instructor to come in. Like we've been we've been calling people for Zumba. I've been calling people to find a new Zumba teacher to come and do some classes. Carrie has, Anna has. So, um like the
programming piece, like she said, happened so far in advance. So, you know, when car um Kelly abruptly left and she didn't give us much notice at all to be honest, um you know, that was a big hit, but Anna has done a tremendous job of getting some new
programs into the the center as well um in the afternoon. So, we're doing the best we can and I I think Carrie has a great plan moving forward. >> I just want to add the planning there are so many because Kelly
in April and so May. But there are as this room fills starting at the end of May and end of July with programming filling all of filling those times. >> Great. >> So it is coming you just saw at in May because of an abrupt an abrupt exit.
>> Yeah. >> Um but those things were she h she has two different programs planned. There's the light binder then there's two other healthy series coming that she has planned to build this room in those times. So you will see them. It's just unfortunately you know when someone
gives you a week notice >> thinking about the people who attend here like being charged a dollar. A lot of people have bill people who live in and come here who come here do not like to pay for
something they can't attend. Whether it's they have doctor visits or they're vacationing, they want to pay for the classes they want to come to and not lose out money by paying for a whole month and they have to come up for
the trust funds are here. I'll request that we get money so they're not so tight on a budget and so stressed out. We have them. We should use them while you need them. right now. Um few things echoing program
budget. Please ask us if fund things. Um if the money's there to be used um well I just don't understand. I thought and obviously I'm wrong. Um I thought that people were being asked to prepay for the whole four weeks if it was a four
week. So the money, why is the money not there for the anticipated number of students? Because you were going to cancel it if you didn't meet the required number of students. Something's not connecting in my brain. >> Not sure I understand. >> So if 10 people, if it was decided you
needed 10 people to run the course, 10 people signed up, they paid, and then only six actually show up, is the instructor not getting the money for the 10 because they >> Well, that hasn't happened. that that's that hypothetical hasn't happened yet.
Most most every time people have paid, they've come unless they've been um >> so with instructors are finding they're not getting as many as were expected and saying it's not worth >> how does that happen? >> Are they are they just reaffirming that
we agreed that we had to have this many signed up or the class kicks canled in which case it's canled, not reduced? >> We're trying we're trying not to cancel. >> Okay. >> The goal is not to cancel. Like we had we have an art uh program coming up this
is it next week art and we had she wanted 10 minimum and we had seven people enrol this is just an example we had seven people registered to take this art class and I me and Jenna talked about it and Anna talked about it like we don't want to cancel a se that's
seven people is a lot of people >> to just call and cancel for an art class. So, we looked at the budget, reviewed the revolving fund, and determined we could pay the $60 extra to run the class so that the class could get continue. We wouldn't have to
abandon this art class because we didn't get enough participants. Okay? >> So, the teacher was was grateful, but she still wanted 10 participants, >> right? And and one of the other things too is in the revolving fund now we're able to move the rentals into the
revolving fund now which is tremendous. So we got a few rentals come in. So that's where some of the offset can be used for now. So you take the rentals into the revolving fund and that could help you with your programming um deficits. But again we need to you know build the fund up and um get going with
it. So that's just another thing to mention as well. And again, I just really encourage, you know, more detail on talking about with real nuts and bolts what you might need and whether there's an opportunity to use trust funds or not. I think we were
really just lacking in information before as you were too. It was early, but you know, you're getting into it now. >> He had her hand up, so >> I didn't finish. So, >> I need clarification. So, the past year we've had a small budget, whatever the
dollar amount was, but am I correct? Majority of the programming was paid through the opera funds. >> Am I right on that? So, I don't understand how can we be shot if we had
two different revenue buckets to pull from. Were we paying too much for certain classes or do you think this new registration process
has taken away? >> I don't think the registration process has taken away. I think things cost a lot of money and I'm not sure how closely it was being looked at. Okay. You know,
>> as far as with opera mixed in with the regular budget. >> That's what I was. >> So, me and Anna are meeting this week to project. >> So, we're figuring on just just so you know where I'm coming from. On average, we can spend about $1,000 a month on
programming with our budget that we have. So my goal is to determine what are we going to spend the money on, what are we going to ask you guys for money for, what can we ask friends of what could friends 60 plus sponsor. So we're looking at all different areas and
we want to kind of have like me and Anna talk today about having like a health program once a month something a learning program once a month and something an art thing. And then we have to budget and determine where we want to put the big money. So like Ted Rinstein is coming in the fall again and he's
expensive. So that month that money might go to them, you know, and we might do something a little less in the arts that month or something. Do you know what I mean? So we have to plan out. So my my goal is to have Anna come in and we're going to talk about programming and then
bring to you what we want money starting at July. >> Can I do my last bullet? >> My last clarifying question. I'm sorry. In that sentence when you just use the word programming are those nonex exercise programming. >> Yes.
>> Okay. I just want to know my last bullet is my understanding is both line dancing classes got cancelled. That's two different teachers. >> There was the evening and there was >> the same teacher >> didn't used to be. >> Yeah. Teacher teach
>> at night. >> Yes. >> You said she wasn't. All right. Okay. So, but night and daytime are now both gone? Yes. She wouldn't commit to night time because she has a child. >> No, I know. >> Yeah. So, >> all right. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> So, there's more to your report than
than than uh just that part. Um the trust fund reports. So again, um I don't know the exact amount and I don't think J we my goal is to not ask for an exorbitant exorbitant amount of money going forward for
programming. I don't think the money I'd ask in a year would ever exceed more than $10,000 ever. Like that's and that's a a leak a big >> trust fund. >> Um there's no trust fund report in here. It's just about me asking for money from
the trust fund. Like I don't think it would ever exceed the maximum of what we could have spent >> if we needed to. >> And you're saying for the rest of fiscal year >> 26 year old, >> right? Right. >> Starting in 27th >> July. Yes.
>> But you need money and help. No. >> Not now. >> No. >> July one, we're gonna start looking. So, >> we don't want to spend a lot of money and summer programming when people travel and we do see a dip in numbers in
the summer just because people are on vacations and this place sometimes can be a little bit of a ghost town in the summer and we don't want to spend a lot of money on programming if people aren't going to come to it if they're away. So we're thinking of starting big programming starting in September and
you know going forward with September and in July and August do things that are low cost to kind of start off the year. >> Is anybody advocating for more money fiscal budget for us to freeze our
budget? >> Jenna. >> Oh hello again. Um, yes. So, we did present the budget plans for FY28 in the joint meeting. I'm happy to send those budget plans again to the to the council
for their review. And Jane and I are actually going to be meeting the next several weeks to go over that again, as well as um discussing, you know, the potential override and the impacts on on the budget if an override were not to pass. So, um you know, we're in the
tough fiscal time. So asking for more money was something that staff was told to just, you know, tighten up tighten up our belt straps and um do the best we could with what we have. But certainly we would love to be able to fund more
for our seniors um moving forward and Jane and I will be having discussions in the future about that. >> Jenna, can I just jump in there if that's okay? >> I can. Yeah, >> Mr. Chair, is that all right with you, Mr. Chairman? >> Thank you. Um, so my direction to
department heads has been, can you guys all hear me? Well, >> yes. >> Okay, I can see you. Um, so my direction to department heads has been to give a level one budget. Um, this is town staff, but just for you folks to understand a level one budget is, you
know, what the department head says, this is what we need to bring forward to adequately run this department the way that we feel it should be. Um and that will be part of the basis of how we start to develop um our ask for an override. Level one budgets probably
won't even be the fully funded in in an override even um because but we're going to be you know we're going to look at at what the department heads are saying that they need. So you know we're going to be looking to increase programming um
for elder and human services. We're going to be looking at all of those pieces. So, if there's something the Council on Aging would like to advocate for, I'm certainly open to it um as we go forward in this uh budget process because we're doing it really early for FY28. Um there'll be a financial forum
coming up in a couple weeks on the 20th that evening. Um and that's where the fi the finance committee and the select board and um the school committee get together and start talking about this stuff. So, um you know, the Council on
Aging is is encouraged to let um Jenna and Carrie know or myself if you have specific kind of number requests that you'd like to see um in your budget and we can start there with that ask. Um it's not guaranteed. We don't know
what's going to happen, but we're trying to kind of build the budget of where do we think we should be if an override were to pass and then what will happen if one does not. And so those are the kind of scenarios that we're working on right now. Okay. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Jerry, I got a question. Um Jim Rinstein you mentioned is possibly coming in the Ted Rinstein rather in the fall and that comes out of the budget >> and we say yeah the program and he's he's expensive. Is there any possibility
or any thought that um uh getting like a corporate sponsor to to underwrite his cost where uh we've got some new like Trader Joe's who's coming in and we have some uh Home Depot people that I think could have maybe
absorb uh that uh cost and and for other future speak because he's an exception that's not the annual the normal monthly I mean the the cost so when from when I started 14 years ago till today the cost
of instructors I would say has quadrupled what people want to get because now this is people's livelihood before people used to come in and run programs here and it would be a fun thing to do in retirement. They wanted to volunteer their time. They didn't really want to
get paid. Now the instructors are using this is a business for them. This is how they make their money. this is how they're living their living is by work in the senior center circuits really. >> Yeah. But the the instructors also have participants that are funding them,
>> right? >> Where Mr. Ma I guess is I would say he's the exception of what I'm saying. That's why I I don't know is that is that not within the not to go out and get a
>> it can't be it be accepted. In other words, I I don't know what if it would be a violation of what the >> Yeah, I think I think if the friends said we would sponsor this event, then the friends of 60 plus could sponsor something like that and we would
say, "Okay, here's the invoice." Um, but that can come out of our, you know, that's something that can come out of our programming budget because that's pretty much an average, his cost is an average cost of what what the presenters are charging. If you don't mind me
asking, is it public? How much does he cost this? >> I think it's the average cost is about 3 250 to 350 per presenter >> for about >> I believe I believe he is 250 but like the art historian who was here last week
was 350 but we we applied for and got a grant to pay for that but the average is about 350. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. If if there were someone in town that wanted to say, "Well, I'm going to donate
and I'm sponsoring this speaker." Is that doable? Sure. >> But I think what Tom's question really was, is it proper for services to go out and solicit that? >> I don't think we can. We can't solicit,
right, Jane? >> No. The town cannot fund raise that way. That would be um something the friends could do. my friends. >> But if somebody comes with an offer to sponsor it, you can accept that.
>> We give it a gift. As a gift. Yep. >> Yep. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> People have accepting gift. >> Yeah. >> It's in the newsletter. Not to solicit but like if you want to donate >> to the friends
>> to the friends >> other words you could donate to the friends and say I want this program >> you know tell >> a slip for donation >> okay >> every newsletter the we get provide the friends a space in the newsletter and it
requests donations >> well but you also can donate directly here because the friends money is the friend's money. So, in terms of wanting things to fund here, you should be letting people know that you have a
donation fund as well, so that people can donate here. >> But I don't think people can say one of these programs. >> We we wrote a grant and we were accepted for a grant. >> Where did the grant come from? the
writing cultural council. >> So they sp sponsored mind you meatballs part two. >> So you had to go out and ask them >> but it was a grant >> grant if anybody have any other questions. One of the if if someone did come
forward and sp you know give give the money donate a gift would they be allowed to use some kind of to signage say to take credit publicly take credit >> I think sponsored by or donated by Yeah.
like on the flyer. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Like when like uh residents of Pearl does like an ice cream social for us and they bring it over for no cost. We put up like a little note that they sponsored it for us just to give them
credit for ice cream. >> I just have a curiosity. >> A curiosity question. How many did you finally end up with with a lot of binder? >> 30. >> You did get 30. So I knew that's what you wanted, but I didn't know. But
>> we got 30. Oh, great. That was great. Wonderful. >> Yeah. People signed up like up to the wire. >> Oh, that's wonderful. I'm so glad. Yeah, >> Rosemary mentioned rentals. Was what was rented out? Was it at this space here and where
was it advertised? What what group are you targeting to rent get more? >> Yes. So, it's on it's on technologies now. Um like the garden club just rented the room like different agents different groups within town are renting it and
paying for the space. So upstairs I think is $10 for the smaller rooms and this room's 20 for an hour per hour. rental. Somehow has to get out that it's open
for rental. Please contact so and so you interested in messing this space for baby shower, private shower. Mar, do you have something new before we move on? >> No, it's just reinforcing that. Say maybe in the newspaper. I mean,
something that goes to a whole public, maybe public TV that I don't know what they do for you. >> Yeah. Or anything else like it posters in the grocery store. You know, you could even put a a flyer here, right? The people that participate here are the
best word of mouth. >> Not necessarily. >> Well, yeah. Yeah, but I would let them know. Yeah, absolutely. Jeff, >> well, let's move on to the item that was supposed to be at 655, which is to Bo and letting us know more about the
property tax program. >> Um, so we are closing out our first year of the revised revamped property tax worker program. Um, we from 2023 to 2024, we resourced other towns to bring our program back up to standards of
other towns. that point it wasn't a really active program paying only $8 per hour with a very low income cap. So we moved it up to minimum wage. We had 10 positions available. We did hire we had 10 people apply. 10 people got the positions. Unfortunately, we do have we
do we did have two who um backed out throughout the process due to health reasons. So we have our eight completing their hours now at the Kllum school, the Barrow School, Town Hall, the Compost site, and here at Pleasant Street. Um,
we just went through the process of accepting applications for the 2026 2027 year and we are offering 10 positions again, also at $15 per hour for $1,500 uh dollar deduction. Um we've only
received seven applications, but so we will be finishing the interviews. Um we're going to be doing interviews at the end of this month and then people will be placed in the positions and their service will be completed from July 1st to the end of May 2027.
Um, we did increase the income cap last year significantly to its 500% 2025 poverty level which the income caps were 78,250 for a single individual and 105,750 for a married couple.
Um so we are currently placing them and we still this coming year. So there was an increase because um what we doing the previous year was following the 2024.
So you take the federal poverty levels 500 times and that's not >> and now we're in discussions with the assessor's office in the town of county to kind of determine next steps for future years in we're currently because
the research done to get to this where we are today was done in 2023 24 successful year you know we needed to the process we are now you're doing all that research and present to the tech to
gain and others you know in June what is um what we're finding >> what we're finding with other teams >> I think it's an excellent program I just wish we had expanded >> yes and you know get more app we did have um we each year we have Victor has generously come over every year and he
presents with me the options that are available and we work together um we're very lucky he collaborates with us on this um so we where it's also we need to keep seeing the interest grow too.
>> Any questions? >> Okay, >> no questions. I just wanted to say thanks to Janice. I attended the presentation she did. I think it was last month and for revitalizing this and and putting now there's live links on the website that described everything,
the process and everything and that's just fabulous and I really appreciate. Thank you. Yeah, it would be great if you got more and all that. >> Yes, I mean we we we you know we we got we got a lot of interest and then the follow through whether you know for
different various reasons. I mean >> of you know >> wants wants and needs >> wants and needs them. Not everybody likes the compost jobs. No, but >> but the schools, our volunt current volunteers found a lot of um satisfaction working in the schools.
They worked not in the cafeterias helping not cleaning and not serving food, but helping the students open their milks or if they had a spill. They also worked in the office, the libraries, and we also had one of our volunteers made all the costumes for the spring pageants. So they're finding, you know, and we've
gotten a lot of positive feedback from all of the managers of our employees that they would like everyone is continuing and wants more workers. >> And even some of the property tax workers have stay like here, our property tax worker at the center has stayed on Fridays,
>> even though she even though she's met her hours, >> she met her hours, but she's continuing on to be help. >> She loves us so much. >> Well, she does a nice job. Yes. >> Okay. So, now we have some questions. So, Carol, you're up next on the trust fund questions that uh have been raised.
>> We talked about that. >> Yeah, >> we skipped. >> Well, I thought this was to be addressing getting information from people in town hall. >> I think we did that in I think it was in
a April's meeting. We broke down the amounts, didn't we? May I speak John? Yes, we do. Last meeting I I made the request that we need first place there's still some information that's missing um under the
mun reports. We need to we want to spend the trust fun money as it's intended to be spent. The key we need to know is how much do we have and what we got in the spring was how much annual interest has come in but I have not yet seen
something that makes it clear of that how much have we spent which leaves the answer of yes we want to give you all the rest we need to know projects where it would be good um to do that >> the easiest thing I think would be to see the munice reports we used to see
and we're getting it on patrons but on Burbank for some reason things are going off into Excel sheets or they're only showing the recreational expenses and not the other expenses. So, and I know things go in there because in prior years those C both accounts were used
regularly. I can see some things that I know we approved that I can't find. So I'm guessing they're in other we it we need the kind of report we used to get up front in the munus format and we need someone to come explain to the entire
council. We are charged with the responsibility of deciding how to spend that money. We need to know how much we have >> and what we can spend. It's about as basic as it can get. Uh and I think we and the mun reports are not simple to
understand. I think we need someone from accounting or wherever the unit of supports comes out of to explain them to us. Give everybody a copy. Let's walk through it. Let's make sure that we understand. Aha, we've accumulated this much because in the last two years we
didn't spend much, very little um out of Burbank in particular, but overall because we decided to rely on ARPA, but ARPA's gone and we want to go back. That's one question is exactly how much is there and how are they coming up with it. Another question that's been raised
is you can see there's 388 some odd,000 sitting in Burbank just as an example right now and it was set up with original principle that was only around 225. One could look at that and say aha we have over $100,000. But do we if the way
the money is being managed is to maintain the value of the trust then that money the principle has to be going up to keep up with inflation just to make keep a steady state in which case some number in the 300s is about right.
But I don't know that that's what they're doing. I want to understand their philosophy and to know what we can do without diminishing it because they've done a wonderful job over 30 years of maintaining that trust fund and I personally would like to see it grow that way for the next 30 years. We just
need someone who really knows this stuff to walk us through so that every council member really understands what we have so we can spend it. So that's it. That seems like that might be a question for the commissioner of trust funds and
for the town treasurer. >> Yeah. >> So perhaps >> both invite them to speak one. >> I agree. It's the two of them because one is how much is being built and for what purpose and the other is how much
is being spent. But we need the whole picture and I keep getting bits and pieces and I appreciate people's attempts but we're not getting there. Oh, you were like this. I thought you >> I wanted you to see Ron. >> I wanted you to see Ron. Okay.
>> Uh, no. It seems to me there's been a lot of confusion over the years. I've done reports from the treasurer's office uh that are very different than the one that that Jenner is able to bring out. I don't understand why they're different. When you go in and talk to the same person, you get a different report. So,
I think there is a lot of confusion with this. I think it would be good if you could invite people from the trust fund and the treasures. >> One last one of the issues I think with summer coming it might be challenging to get someone to come
to revisit that in the fall and there's not so many vacations. So I I'll ask them definitely when their availability is explore that. >> Yeah. >> Anything else? So without the future agenda items or re
reorganization for the board and chair and vice chair I guess the only I'm sure uh go ahead >> go ahead >> John before we get into that I just wanted to um I I serve on the RCTV board of directors so I've been talking with u
my staff regarding the the u tonight's video and audio. We just need a decision made by the council. Do we have permission to blacken out and cut the audio for the offensive part of
the recording? >> We need an actual vote. >> We we actually need official statement from the council in writing to uh so maybe we should just take a vote on that. >> Okay.
I would move that RCTV can be the footage of tonight's meeting appropriately blocking out visually and audibly any offensive portions. Does that do it?
>> We got four seconds. So, it's four, I guess. I don't know. >> And just to clarify, what we're going to do is we're going to black screen the video and we're gonna cut out the audience. >> Okay. That sounds confession. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, a motion has been made and
seconded by Ron. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> John and John. >> Okay. So, now we're ready to move on, I guess. Um, this says reorganization of the board
chair and vice chair. Um, >> so the one-year term is up. >> Yeah. the uh and and you know um most councils and and boards run on um Robert's rules of order around here. Uh I think we run on Maryland's rules of
order when according to Maryland's rules of order came from Jane Burns. Thank you very much. You can't serve more than two terms in a row in the same position. So I'm obviously not going to be the vice chair next.
>> It doesn't say that. It says you can't do it unless there's no one else running. >> I guess I didn't read Maryland was >> if you stop calling the Maryland rules of order, you might be able to read. >> It's in the further materials it comes up.
>> So we're revisiting that probably >> yes >> in August like the vote in August. Not >> because July's meeting is >> Do you think we have to talk about it in June? >> June. Okay. >> It's in June. We need to do >> we need to change
things on schedule. >> We're not anybody want >> I have wait I I have two items I'd like to request on a future agenda. >> Go ahead please. Um, I'd like an update from
either the chair or town staff on the survey that she requested, whether, you know, if they've been working on that, what that what progress is going on. And I'd like to request an update from the working group on their progress and
responding to the feedback that the council has given them several documents. >> You would take a note on that? >> Yes. >> Thank you. U just just a quick question Mr. Chairman. Can I speak >> Kate about the um the survey?
I thought that the council on aging was coming up with the survey questions that you guys wanted to see. >> The chair asked the town staff or or or said she would work with the town staff to >> Oh, okay. I think I I was I didn't get
that. So, I can circle in with Karen on that definitely. >> Yeah, we'll speak with Karen. >> Yeah, this time >> is there definitely not going to be a July meeting when we have so many items
uh questions that need to be addressed. Why are we not having a July meeting? >> That information came out from medical services. >> Yeah, just due to staffing in conducting the meeting with staff and vacations to take a break and have it in August.
>> I didn't think staff had to be present with a council meeting requirement that staff was. >> Yes, because of the zoom. >> Someone else can run Zoom and I don't know that Zoom is required. Yeah, Zoom doesn't require
>> Jenny, you're the one that told me that. Would you address that? >> Yes. So, the staff will need to be here to facilitate the Zoom as you can see tonight when we run into these issues and there's a lot of tech things that are quite difficult for for people to
learn. Um, but certainly you can host a meeting in person um without the Zoom option if you would like. And typically all boards in the summer do um take a month off in the summer. Typically it is July. I know the rec committee does that
too. Um but you know certainly if there's flexibility with some dates um in July maybe it could be coordinated with staff but it's pretty typical to um not have a meeting in the summer with all the vacations of the board and and
of staff. suggest we address that again. Now, I I did hear a motion to turn, but I never heard a second. All >> favor on. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Let me think. Lats around