I'd like to call the February 9th council and aging meeting to order. >> First order of business in the attendance. >> John Parsons >> here. Rosemary De Benadio
Poco >> Tom O' Conor Aaron Pette >> here. >> Marilyn Shappley >> here. >> Sally Hoy John Sinski >> here. >> How Harington >> here.
>> Okay. The overview of the agenda tonight. Um, we have the approval of minutes on next, but I'm going to speak that ask that we just um take that later because we only have Jane here for a short and Katie here for a short amount
of time um till 6:30 and I want to make sure that we give them plenty of time for their presentation. Then we'll have a discussion and oh, we do need to vote for COA secretary discussion and vote. Future of the Pleasant Street Center presentation and discussion. Elder and human services
report and trust fund reports. Evening activities update or opportunities for COA to get involved. Mass cultural council rate grants PBC update. COA working group update and possible vote future agenda items and adjourn. And I
did see that we also forgot to do a slugboard update here and thank you for coming. So, we will take that if that's okay or you can take it after Jane and Katie leave. Okay. And I do need um we do need a volunteer to be our new COA
secretary because Nancy was right. Nancy resigned since our last meeting. So, I do want to acknowledge her many years of service. Can you just make sure Jean can hear us because you know how we have issues
sometimes. >> Jean, can you hear us? >> Yes, I can. >> Oh, Jean, can you hear us? >> Now she is. >> Yes, I can. >> Thank you. Thanks, Karen. [laughter]
>> Thank you, Nancy. We were I was um sad to see that she had submitted her resignation and I do want to acknowledge her many years of service and her dedication to the 60 plus community and all of the hard work that she did as secretary, as chair and a variety of
positions over the many years. And I just do want to acknowledge her efforts and her commitment to uh to the COA and especially to the city plus members and the ready community. So that's sad to see you go, but I I'm
sure we will still hear from you, at least [clears throat] with a friend or whatever in some capacity. So we do need to vote um for a COA secretary. Any who would like to volunteer? Everybody raise your hand at once.
[laughter] What do we do? Uh ask for nominations. >> So you know, you nominate somebody else. Yes, somebody nominates. >> Yeah, sometimes recreation does it month like month by month. They rotate. >> Yeah, they rotate.
>> Can we get a volunteer in like from a group of volunteers? Maybe somebody will be one of these. >> No, it really should be something from from the council or from So, who would like to make a nomination? who would like to take say take minutes
for tonight's meeting I think so we can move forward any volunteers tonight's meeting thank you Ron okay moving so Ron you'll take me minutes for tonight's meeting thank you and then we'll deal with this again next
next meeting okay so future of the street center presentation and discussion no because he just volunteered his good And that is going to be Jane and Katie Gabriel. Thank you both.
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm Jane Wellman. I'm the assistant town manager. I'm here in this capacity tonight with Katie Gabriel. She is the director of operations. And through her work, she's in charge of risk management, communications, and procurement. And so,
the hat that we're wearing tonight is the procurement hat. So, um, we thank you for your time on our on your schedule tonight. We won't be very long. The purpose of this is to explain a little bit about what we need as a community to decide to do with this
building. And, um, we are here because there is no monopoly on good ideas. And, um, which I'm saying a lot. And we're looking to um, hear what the members of the Council on Aging think should happen with the future of this building. Um,
and you through your through your work here and your volunteerism with the town have maybe ideas that nobody else has thought of. And so that's that's why we're doing this road show. We have been to the school committee, the historic commission, and the finance committee. And tonight we're going to come to
Council on Aging, Recreation, and CPDC all tonight. So it is that's why I'm sorry that I won't be here for the whole evening. Um, but and I appreciate your indulgence. Also, I just want to take a moment and say um that Nancy is just
been a tremendous advocate for her work with the 60 plus community and I got to know her through the recal project and it was a pleasure to get to work with her and um and get to know um her through from feasibility through you know the vote and everything up until
last week. So, thank you for that. Um so, this I don't know if you guys are familiar with this building, but it's one of our buildings. Uh, next slide, please. Um, this building was built in 1883, as you may know. Um, you folks probably
know most of this information. The finished living area is 4,300 square ft. We did a commercial appraisal last year. Um, and that appraisal was by somebody who who does know how to price um, historic buildings, and that came in at just under a million dollars about uh,
not quite a year ago. Um, if we were to sell it, if we were to rent it, it would be about $7,200 in 2025 in annual income. Um, we were asked at the finance committee what the operating costs are. I haven't double
checked this yet with Joe, but by recollection, it's about $70,000 a year to run the building with electric bills and those and clean up and stuff like that. So, I do need to double check that, but that this income potential is net of those costs.
Um the the site is zoned right here, multif family, but it's a little bit too small. It's actually kind of a bit too small to um be a big enough lot to do housing development on unless it were to go to the housing authority, the Reading
Housing Authority. Um it's on the Massachusetts Historic Registry and the National Register of Historic Places. And there is a preservation restriction on the property as well. Um, and we talked a little bit about that with the historic commission. And so that may put
some limitations on what can be done. That's a future thing to kind of work out. We don't want that to necessarily limit our thoughts tonight. Um, and there we go. Next slide, please. >> Katie, would you like to do the slide? >> Sure thing.
>> So, here we just outlined some of the potential future uses of the center. So, like Jane said, we could sell the property. We could gift it to the housing authority which could potentially turn it into affordable units here in town. We could keep it for future town use um where there's always
a shortage of office space, storage space, the like. Um or we could lease it to a for-profit or a non-forprofit. And so we just kind of outline some of the potential options. You can see the writing's a little a little bit small, but for a commercial lease, we have an
estimated dollar per square foot um an amount that we could be collecting in rent. And then town use, you know, we outline office space, storage, educational space, or meeting and event space. Next slide, please. And so the next two slides, we just illustrate some
examples of other communities that we've seen locally um and what and some examples of usage that we could potentially envision for this space. So you'll see we have the Inspire Cafe in Wakefield and Breaking Grounds Cafe in Keei. Both food service related, but um
both examples of nonprofits that are, you know, were looking for spaces and found homes in these communities that could potentially create jobs, provide, you know, somewhat of a of a community service in employment to people with different abilities and the like. So we
wanted to point out these two examples. And then on the next slide, you'll see two examples. Um uh it's very you know obviously they both of these buildings and these communities look very much like the Pleasant Street Center repurposed fire stations in both cases
in NIC and in Newberry Port and both of these concepts were more around the arts. So these two buildings have become the center for the arts in NITC and the firehouse center for the arts and these have become sort of a gathering space in both of these communities theaters performance venues screenings education
gallery space and the like. So we wanted to point out these four examples as potential for the future of the Pleasant Street Center as we we continue this process. Next slide please. So this is the procurement consideration. This is some of the fine
print one might understand and nothing's easy in Massachusetts under the law. So um with the lease or the sale of the property we have to engage in a competitive solicitation. We do have the ability through an RFP
process if the town wants to to say we would like to give priority to a local nonprofit. Um we do we are aware of one local nonprofit that is very interested in moving into this space and that's the food pantry that currently housed the
church across the street from town hall. Um they have some space restrictions and and other stuff. So, they have come to select board meetings, a couple of them actually, I think, and expressed an interest um to the select board. Because it's a competitive solicitation, we can't say we only want a food pantry
that's located across the street from town. We have to be, you know, more competitive than that under the law. But, um, we can say, gee, we it doesn't have to be sold to a business. It doesn't have to be sold at the best and highest value. we can decide that this
needs to go for a nonprofit depending on what the community is is looking to do. Um it's important that when we're disposing of a property, um the select board can lease this building by decision if they want to, but it has to
go to town meeting if we want to lease the parking lot. So because it's land, so this is an an arcane piece of the law. probably don't know why but there I think it goes back to the Magna Carta I told the finance committee
>> but that's [clears throat] where we are um and then uh let's see so yeah taking it to town meeting um would be ownorous but certainly could do that um and then if we want to sell it I believe that
also requires town meeting approval um the initial feel from the select board was to kind of have a lease versus selling it. Um because the value of the property doesn't really we can't replicate this land this space for
$965,000. So, you know, but then again, a lot of towns really aren't in the business of being landlords either. So, there's a there's a give and a take. Some committees have said, you know, individuals on the committees have said, "Gee, we really would like it to be able to pay for itself. Whatever goes in
there offsets all the costs and maybe we get some, you know, additional revenue for the community." Um and there's another you know idea maybe we gift it to the housing authority and they can leverage it to for grants and build some some housing. So um we are staff we are
here to serve the select board and the community at large and we are um we have to do everything the right way and so that's why we kind of say there's limitations and so forth but yeah we we can you know we have some some latitude. Next slide please.
So, we're not looking for a vote on the Council on Aging. We're looking to hear your thoughts. What do how do you respond to this information? What ideas do you have as individuals? We will capture your comments. Um, and with the other boards and we will report them
back to the select board. Um, so what we heard at the council on aging, what we heard at finance committee, what we heard, you know, etc. And uh we will be doing an online survey as well um for the public and you guys can also fill out that survey with your own thoughts um separately and then that data will
also be submitted select board as they move toward making a decision one way or another. Um we may we may want to do more more research. Maybe we do a feasibility study. I'm not sure if we want to go that far. Um and we have some work that's already been done in the
past um to contribute to that. But yeah, that's where we are right now. >> Yes. >> What happened to the idea of putting RCTV in there? >> It's a it's a it's an option. In fact, it's still an option. >> Oh, yeah. And we it's we can lease it as a multi-use. So, this floor and the
basement could be rented individually or to one entity. And the space upstairs could be leased to another entity or multiple entities depending on, you know, what the appetite is. But yeah, RCTV could move into the upstairs spaces
if they had an appetite and that was the decision of the committee. Okay. So, is that your idea, Mr. Parson? >> No, it's just I was on recalc. >> Um, >> yeah, >> that was talked about a lot particularly by Mark Dster when he was a select
person at that point. >> Okay. >> And everything's still on the table at this point. There isn't anything that that could be discluded at this point. It seemed to me there was supposedly a money savings for the town because a certain amount of expenses for RCTV
would be good to get them out of where they are in here. >> They had to when Recalc was going on. I think they were in an expensive space and they have now downsized to a smaller uh lease property on Main Street further down.
>> [clears throat] >> I urge everybody involved in the decision making to never ever sell any wedding including this. Yes, political leaders have sold property which they should include the property right next
door which is a duplex and we could have built a new center on that land. >> Then the Pearl Street school was sold. actually been sold either because they had enough land in the front to build another building. Um the stars won't be any put in this
building and build into consideration. This property has heating, plumbing, wiring problems. It floods. It gets pumped out every once in a while. >> Gets pumped out. >> Absolutely. Right here in the front. >> Yeah.
>> And I think it happened a couple weeks ago. Okay. >> It has steel stone foundation and Jane Burns was here. She put a lot of money into the basement to try to solve that problem. Yeah. It was not solved briefly. >> Yeah.
>> Um Oh, John had mentioned the Cummings property. We were wondering why couldn't get grants from Cummings. Why don't we offer them to do something in here? >> Yeah. See if see if Cummings wants to rent it from us.
>> Whatever. He said that Cummings has have property in the town that they donate to. >> That's right. >> Yeah. But since we're not they don't own property here >> because we don't own property here, we can't get a count grant that Yeah. >> So I looked at I would say approach
Cummings property executives. >> Okay. And but you mean for leasing because you said >> I don't know. He knows [clears throat] about it. He mentioned it. >> He said don't sell it. Never. >> Weren't you the one that brought it up, John? >> Weren't you the one that brought up >> No, you did. >> I didn't. >> Were you the one that brought up the
Cummings property? >> No. >> No, I'm pretty sure it was you. >> You did. >> I knew [laughter] I missed you, John. >> I think it was at the coffee time with Jenna. >> Yeah, >> you brought it up then, >> but I wasn't the one who knew that you
had to have property in a town. I answered that and I got that information. [laughter] >> Yeah. Yeah. I I Yeah, I researched that from Barb. >> I I think they should be a number one positive because they would get we can get monies back again. >> If they least
>> I think it's a neat idea, Rosemary. >> If they leased, would it [clears throat] would that >> I think they're pretty much into ownership. But if we were to go into an ownership model, but there's no reason you can't ask. [clears throat] No harm in asking. >> We hold on to the property, which we should, and never ever sell. anybody in
because we have no um my personal feeling here is if we could walk down this building have three level parking garage and a new town hall on the top. >> You're a visionary. [clears throat] >> Okay.
Well, I just wanted to say I hadn't heard before your presentation at FINCOM the idea of giving this to the housing authority and I'm just curious if you've had conversations with them and and even if they've done any preliminary thinking
about what they might be able to do with this. >> We did we actually I forgot that we mention we had met with the housing authority also already. >> Okay. they were second or third. Um, and they they talked a little bit about it because it's historic. Um, that would
open them up to extra tax credits that would help with, you know, any adaptive reuse. >> That's right. So, um, so that might be, um, help them financially put together a package to be able to do it. Um, but typically with something like that, we would gift it to them, right?
>> And then we wouldn't have to operate it anymore, but it would it would become housing at some point. I mean, I really like that idea because that's an area that I really think we need to pay more attention to in writing. I just I I don't know how feasible it is or what things would look like here.
>> Yeah, it it's a it's we're at the very we're at the beginning of what that might look like. So, it's a great it's a great, you know, thing to look at. Um I don't know if they want to take it on. They did talk a little bit about it. And then one of the members also said if we
couldn't do it for that then uh she said it would be neat if we it could be a space that activates the downtown at night and to bring people into businesses and stuff like that. So you know that was one of the >> Jean question >> Jean >> hello I
>> I am I am for keeping the building and doing something for the cultural aspect within our town. When you look around town, we really don't have any historical sites. Mainly
this um PA Tavern the town does not own. Am I correct on that? That is a nonprofit. So, I'm all for keeping what we have somehow work with it and make it a cultural center or an activity center
for within the town. Then you have a building. If we need more offices, town hall needs to expand, it's there. Yes, you're going to have to renovate and correct items and repair, but it will be all worth it in the end on the
competitive uh salutations if their building is sold and occupied and the owners decide they want to leave. Are there restrictions going forward or can the
building just be sold as is? >> I believe the restrictions go with the title. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Are you Are you all set, Jean? >> I'm fine. >> Thank you.
[clears throat] >> Yeah, I to when it comes to lease versus cell, I lean towards lease. I think that would give the town flexibility and probably probably would not be able to recover as
much revenue overall by selling it versus leasing it. One question I have just to follow up on what Jean suggested. >> Those um two towns that you mentioned that uh ep center for ours could be very important. Are those owned by the
municipality or government? >> No. Um in NIT's case, the town wanted to sell the property and they I think it was uh they were approached by a nonprofit. It's on the Native Center for the Arts website, which I did read at
one point, but I don't want to quote it like gospel, but um they were approached by a nonprofit to to so they bought it and they turned it into um the NIC Center for the Arts. I think it was an idea that was born of its time. Um people in town did that and it's I've
been to venues there. Has anybody else been to shows there? Like Yeah, it's fantastic. And um they they it activates it down. Everybody goes to restaurants downtown and the parking is very similar. It's on street or small lots,
you know, around. Um, yeah. So, but it's not owned by the town and you know, for the town to own a cultural center, you know, there are operational costs involved with how we going to staff it, what's that? So, something to be aware of, but just the idea we're hearing a lot of maybe we should do a cultural
center. So, okay, if there's a feeling for that, we can maybe find a way a path to that. I don't know about Newport, but yeah, I'm pretty sure that the town city doesn't own it yet. It's fantastic. >> I wouldn't devote major space to it, but
in however things get reconfigured, moved around. Something there's a real need for is a little bit more small conference room space since the librarians get bombarded with people begging. [laughter] We've been on our knees. We considered working in a broken windowed group
conference room at the Burger King for our last workg group meeting. Oh geez, >> there's really no place to meet most of the time. So if there could be one or two small conference rooms as part of the big picture, but certainly not the whole building.
>> Great, great suggestion. Thank you. >> I have a question. Um, do you have any idea of how much it if you did sell this, you always do an inspection first. Do you have any idea of how much it would cost to make his sale lease? I
mean, that smell is still up to you. >> We I don't think the town I don't I can't speak for the select board. Um, but I don't know that I would advise that we spend money on it uh before we
sell it necessarily. Um, because what we choose to invest in may not be what the next owner chooses to invest in. Um, so I can't speak to that. I don't know what it would take to do that. Um, if the town decides to keep it, um, we, uh,
have been talking a lot about where we can use our, um, our first green communities grant. So, you know, we could maybe invest that here. We wouldn't really invest it now if we're going to dispose of it, but if we were to keep it, we might be able to use that
grant to help upgrade HBAC or some other parts of the property. Um so yeah >> when no when do you anticipate making a final decision when what should >> so that the decision is at the pleasure
of the select board um and so we will bring back this initial analysis to the select board I think in March um March 24th I asked to be on the agenda or no that was actually that's that's you um never mind I don't we're bringing it back we're bringing it back um And I
think if anything needs to go to to the to town meeting, right now we're targeting November town meetings, but you know, subsequent town meeting. So if we want to do more research, the select board says we'd like a more detailed, you know, analysis. Um, I did talk today
to a firm that does that kind of work. Um, and so possibly if I can get a grant that would fund that work, um, then we could, you know, get a little bit more detailed analysis of like what's the market for cultural centers in this area and what would you be able to lease it
for, etc. So, okay, >> adding to what Canon said about the old rush st I've been classes up there, people have actually left because it's native up here. The heating system has been examining taught to bottom left and
right to replace it or between 350 to 400,000 is for the heating system. >> Okay, thank you for that. >> John, if you're going to lease the property and there's restrictions for the
historical aspects, who would deal with it? The town or the police? Um, that's a great question. We have to dig a lot. There's a lot of a lot of legal pieces with all of this and we may
want to um leave the preservation restriction in place outside but change it on the inside. It was updated on the inside when it was when this was done over in 1993 and that's when it was placed on. So, um, we need to have an understanding of what that actually, you
know, if you really just need the open space and you want to move some stuff around or whatever, that may not be a deal breaker. Um, so we need to understand that the historic commission was uh interested in working with us to see if that could be amended,
>> particularly the they want to they want some more say because they're local. >> Yes. >> Um, right now the say is at the state level. So they expressed some um concern about even just interacting with the state and getting information from the state just due to I think the kind of
overwhelming amount of properties of a historic nature that they manage. So that's something we're definitely interested in seeing how we can get a little bit more of a reading >> control over the property and the preservation. >> The state's not very responsive because they're kind of overwhelmed. So it's,
you know, not not ideal for what we're what we're looking to do. Um but if we were to sell it, the next you know owner would have to be responsible to coming before the historical commission to make changes that they have perview like that
or the state right now as the state. So >> okay, does that answer your question? >> And we will if as we go down this road, I'm sure we will be, you know, digging in deeper on some of those silos. Looks like we're getting you out just in
time for your next meeting. And we appreciate that was it felt like a 10-minute discussion. So, but that was that was really good. Um, [clears throat] you're all welcome to email me or Katie at any time. Uh, [snorts] often I find that I leave a meeting and then I'm like, shucks, like I spent all weekend
thinking about something I wish I'd said at a meeting on Thursday. So, um, if you think of that, don't hesitate to email us your ideas. We are capturing everything. and then look for that online survey. >> Okay, >> thank you so much. >> Thank you very much. I really appreciate your time tonight. Really important
feedback, guys. Thank you. Especially where you're kind of the host committee, if you will. This is this is your space right now >> and um you know, you you have really good insights into what this building can do or maybe can't do. So, you know,
we are grateful for anything you have to contribute. All right. Shall we? >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All information in your package. [clears throat] You want to start with the
Jenny >> your report? >> Yeah, sure. >> So, as you can see, I think it's on page five or five. >> Page five. Um, we've had a little um dip and an
increase in certain areas. So, certain things kind of boomed up a little bit and other things kind of fell. And I think some of that was due to weather and we had a couple Monday holidays. Well, one Monday holiday and then a snowstorm on a Monday, but town was closed. So, uh, we didn't have our last
bingo lunch in January. Um, which was kind of sad to send off the bingo crowd without a lunch, but >> I digress. Um, but overall, we're kind of still sticking in the same area as far as interactions with clients and working
with in social services. we've gone up and in transportation we went down but overall kind of all staying the same. I don't really think I need to read every number because I think that speaks for itself. Um we also had a dip in some volunteer
hours that also is because of the Monday holiday and the Monday um snowstorm. Janet has three employee three volunteers that come in for Monday lunch to help us. So that's why there's a drop in that as well. Um, for programming updates, we had a lot of
snow. I said we had a lot of snow on the holidays, so it's lower. Um, we announced in January that we're moving to a new lunch on Tuesdays. We're calling it the community lunch. Um, just because we felt like we were
servicing the bingo crowd only for lunch. So the bingo people would come in at 10:00 and stay straight through for lunch. And we felt like it was important to kind of switch it up, bring more people into the into the center and get another group of people to kind of
service for lunch. Maybe people that didn't want to come for bingo or just a different crowd. Um it was very wellreceived. We had 20 people on our first lunch or 22 people. Um I think we have 40 for tomorrow.
Yeah, it's great. Um, so we're super excited about that and people love the intimate kind of vibe that it was. It was small table, small conversations, no rush to get out, they can sit and chat. So, it was a lovely thing to see. Um, I
decided because now that I wear a hat, that I'm not going to send out weekly emails about what's happening here. I feel like it's redundant and overdone. And I think that with the newsletter and
the bulletins and the flyers and all the things, there's plenty of ways to find out what we have going on at the center. So, what I'm doing is is I'm going to send out in the beginning of the month an email blast that's kind of colorful and fun of all the haps that are happening. And then midmon I'm going to
send up send out things that you know we're low in attendance that you know holidays that are coming just reminders of certain things and programs and then as always anyone can always reach out to the staff here if you're concerned or have questions about what's
happening. Um, we delivered 17 sand buckets to home to basically home well the goal was that it was supposed to be for homebound people that were compromised that couldn't get out and get their buckets on their own. Um,
Janet delivered all those on her own, which was a feat. >> Yeah. >> Which and she filled them on her own, >> which I don't want her to do anymore. Um, so if anyone ever wants to help with that in the future, because she was down
at DPW with like a hammer and a chisel >> chisel, >> we get high school boys to do that. The football, >> you know, >> I have almost high school student and I would like to say that they're all very willing to do things, but >> let's bribe them with something.
>> I know. >> Well, the national >> Yeah, they we could Yeah, we could ask. We did ask, but the the problem was the sand to get the sand was open only during school hours. So the DBW closes that part of the yard off at 3.
>> We could have a half a day off to fill the field. >> I mean, maybe we can look into it. >> We just wanted to get them filled and out, you know, before another snowstorm came. Um the New Year's Eve lunch was successful. We had mandarin and no, they did not donate, but it was still delicious.
Um, residents of Pearl did a a hot soup and grilled cheese and the chef came and cooked it here which was very well attended and it was great. Um, and Liv, our public health nurse and Leanne Perau did a talk on nutrition that was um,
well received and we had a lot of folks come in for that. Um, behind the scenes we're dealing with some homelessness in town. Um, my case load coincidentally took an uptick the second I got this position which was a quite the firestorm but you
know we rolled with it aka me I rolled with it in social services >> a home are you talking about like individual people just walking out of town and they're homeless >> it's a little bit more in depth it's a little bit >> if there's somebody who lost their home >> yes they lost their home so um we're
dealing with little aspects of Hopefully, we've connected them to the right resources and all is good with the world. Um, we also uh brought back fuel assistance, which I don't know if a lot of people know that you can come here and have an appointment with the fuel assistance person and they can determine
if you're eligible for the program. Um, a lot of reertifications come through here and the the ladies from the um Great Alarms Fuel Great Alarms Community Action Council come here monthly and do appointments with clients. So, it's super it's like a great thing for people
that have never experienced filling out a fuel assistance application because it be it can be quite timeconuming and kind of confusing and there's a lot of documentation you have to provide. So, they kind of go through everything. Um the problem with the program is it was underfunded um by the federal government. So, I don't know how much
money people are going to get when it comes time to get reimbursed for fuel. Um you get one reimbursement per year. So they have they can get the check anytime between now and April. Um and that's all I got.
>> Thank you. >> Sure. >> Thank you for that. And you also this week there is a new event the um puzzle. >> Oh yeah. Puzzle puzzles with seniors which Jenna informed us there's 10 there was eight from you seniors and two from
us. So we have 10 seniors attending. intergenerational >> intergenerational [clears throat] yes >> that was under that would be under February stat not under January >> right >> still something interesting [clears throat] that's happening this week that's different and it's an evening activity
>> available puzzles unless you >> yeah data too but in case you do recycle >> thank you >> all right Jenna okay great so on the next page of the packet we have the bur bank funds that
we're used um so far. So, I just calculated those so far, added them up. And this is the number so far. I know we've um the council has voted to expend a total of 10,000, 5,000 for one, and
then 5,000 for the other. Um we're hoping not to use it all and because our payment system's starting up quite shortly as well. So, um I just wanted to be transparent and come up with that for you. Um I think the next pages are
Yes. So this was provided by Diane. This is the um report that you all were asking for. Hold on. Let me see if I can zoom in a little bit more. Can you guys see that good enough or let [clears throat] me see
can zoom a little better. So you will see on the sheet the non-expendable amount. That's the amount that we cannot spend out of the trust. The expendable amount all the way to the right is what we can spend out of each
account. However, the Council on Aging, per your rule on the Burbank Fund, you're only right now currently able to extend the interest on that account. There is language in the trust fund documents that you have the authority to
change that at any time if you choose so with the majority vote. Um, and you have the ability to change whatever you use it for as well um with the majority vote. So, something to think about in the future. Um the FMV adjustment is the
fair market value. So that's kind of unrecognized. So you would deduct that right now from the actual expendable amount to get the total expendable amount. Um and then the the big thing I think that
you guys were looking for was that interest piece. So Diane came up with all the interest that has been acured in each of the accounts which I think is super helpful. So if you look at the Burbank fund
you'll see this 80,000 in total. So that is what can be expended from the account right now. um less probably what was already expended um for the p for the past several years, but obviously we haven't used it all
that much. So I would say we would confidently say around 80,000 like maybe a little bit less for the expendable amount of interest that you could give up. So good news. [laughter]
couple of questions. Um there's showing 1500 out of expended dispersed out of Burbank and I'm wondering if that was the lock box money and should come out of patrons maybe and expect you to know the answer.
>> Oh yeah, sure. Um which which one was that? >> One before that's not the interest one before. We we spent money this year for the lock boxes and that I think had a lot of patrons because we were required to expend a dur year.
>> Oh, you're looking at this number right here. >> Yeah. I'm just wondering if that's what that was. If that's not what that is, [clears throat] where or where did the spender go? So, I'm not expecting any. >> Yeah. No, I can I can definitely look into that. That's a great question.
>> And there's another one where it kind of shows up. So I just >> Yeah, I feel like the lock boxes wasn't that exact of an amount. >> I don't think it was either. >> So I will look into that. So >> actually we get to the one by ones there's a number that isn't exactly that
amount. It looks like it might. >> I'm just curious about it. >> No, thank you so much. That's a great question. >> Um the other one you already raised, does this total and the expenditures net out on the interest? Does that net out the expenditures which again it's huge huge interest
either way but the one of glorious interest [laughter] we finally got the numbers. Um and I'm wondering if what year did where did ARPA start? Do we remember where we started? >> I yeah know about what year.
>> I I get confused with like if we're going by fiscal year or calendar year. >> Well, these were all fiscal year. What fiscal year do we know? I think it got approved in fiscal year 22. >> 22. So then the interest
it makes me wonder about the interest expended then in the years before that because it's a lot of interest and we were spending fair amount of money then >> so maybe kind of going back a little bit further. >> Yeah. Although the street center had closed down so we weren't spending much.
Yeah. Yeah. So I'm just curious about I mean you raised the question already. Say the same question. Is this net of expenditures all the way? >> Yep. >> But this is excellent. Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. Sorry it took so long to get the information. >> That's all right. We got it back.
>> Oh, I know. Oh, I know it wasn't. Jean said they're reading the email. We'll have it to you by December 14th. We're like, [laughter] yeah, >> a lot of resistance. >> Yeah, >> Rosemary. I'm happy the interest has grown so much
and it's there for us to draw on which I would definitely say let's use it as we need it. We have professionals here who tell you what they need every month to spend on lunches and activities for the
seniors. And I think we should vote and use the money from here if they need more money. And then one of the lock boxes what's the Halloween where and why? Who who can get a lock box in Julia? >> So I run that program of one of my other
hats. Um it's basically a box that goes by the front door. Um the fire department got a grant years ago and they got 32 Knox boxes. Um obviously we have 32 more than 32 clients in the town. So what happens is we when someone
passes away or moves on we switch them out. So, I keep track of them, which sometimes is hard to do because sometimes the first thought isn't to call me to let me know that they've passed, no family members passed away. Um, and then we transfer to different clients. We've had So, then when you when the council bought us some, we got
five more. Um, those have all been given to people in the community. Um, most a lot of people have kind of stayed where they are at this point, so I haven't had quite a huge turnover as as much as I'd like to. Um, but the criteria is to be,
this needs to be a criteria because we only have about 42 boxes I think in the whole top. So, you need to be frail, um, over 60, live alone, >> history of falls, um, preferably has a lifeline unit or if
they don't, they should get one from me because it's important to have. So, that's if they push their lifeline button, they need help getting into the home, the fire department can do that. So there is criteria for it and we have to have rules for everything because it would be given to just anybody that needed one.
>> Is that a product people can go to Home Depot and buy? >> No. So the products that we have, the fire department has the master key to all of them. The ones you go to Home Depot have codes that need to be programmed. The fire department doesn't love collecting codes during an
emergency. they will they don't want to like sit there and try to enter a code if there's something that needs to get addressed inside the home. They'd rather take the door down. Um but you know, there's been some discussion with if people make a choice to go buy
their own because they're very very expensive. They're like between $250 and $400 to buy a Knox box. So some people don't want to pay for that because it's pricey. Oh, I wonder if um I I know nothing about debt. So, I would I would think the majority of
people who come here don't know anything about that. I wonder if you >> It's not a program we offer. Talk about >> know if we could have like a a fund raise or a raffle to raise money for that. >> We can't We're not allowed to raise money as a town >> as a COA.
>> Yeah. Is this good? >> Do you are we meeting the needs of the community of the 61st community? >> I think so. right now. I mean, obviously everybody that's 60 plus, I would love to have an ox. I think everyone should have one in their home. If you're a fall risk, if you go to the hospital often, you push a lifeline often, if you're
home alone a lot, I feel like everybody should have one. I just don't think that's that's not realistic to the to the need. >> How many people do you think who need that don't have it over your initial amount? >> Probably a lot, but they're very exp.
They're very expensive. It's a hard thing to >> Is that something that you need to come to addition? >> Maybe, but right now I I mean we could grow the program
too if we wanted to. Um, you know, I work I meet with the police and fire once a month. We we we have a round table that I started like 12 years ago and we talk about people that fall a lot and we talk about people that call 911 a lot and we talk about consistent
callouts out of homes and stuff like that. So usually those are the people that I offer them to. It might not even be people you see coming into the building. It's people that really are homebound and in their homes by themselves. So >> but they have a lot of people and they
have that need. Maybe we can find out how we can find. >> Right. Yeah. >> But it sounds like you're in contact with the first responders and the police. So they they >> Yeah. It's also a storage thing, too. They they store it at the fire department. So to store a lot of them is, you know, takes up a lot of space.
>> Are they big? >> No, they go over like a door like a wreath hanger. Like you hang a wreath on it and it clips on the door and then you put the key inside. It's probably like like a cell phone size. >> John, >> you had mentioned a lifeline before. Do you still need a landline to get the license?
>> No, you do not. >> How do you upgrade? >> You call you call your case manager slashinterm director and she does that for you. >> You mean I've been paying for this landline for a long time. >> You'll be paying for the other reason
you have it. Jeez. >> Well, I don't think he has a phone. >> I'm just paying for the phone. >> Oh, yeah. You don't need to have a landline. But do you want to get rid of your landline? What am I eating for except for the life? [laughter] Good point. >> My kids keep asking ME, "WHAT THE HECK
DO you need THAT THING FOR?" I SAID, "WELL, I GOT A FREE." >> That's >> I mean life. >> So, it's a great question. Yeah, [clears throat] it is. >> Well, any other questions or thoughts? Just keep us, you know, informed. >> Yeah, absolutely.
>> Yeah, because this is also part of our deal. >> Yes. The friends group too, the 60 plus friends group also was willing at one point to purchase some boxes. >> Yeah, >> at this point
>> I'll jump in quick since I wasn't the >> Oh, I'm sorry. That's a question about the trust report on the next on the next pages. Um, again, I haven't given you the answer
right, but something's a mystery to me. On the Burbank one year to date expended, it shows $4,2960. Is that I'm not sure what that was. Is that what you were
doing in December and January up to that point? >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Good guess on that one. Then on the patrons here, we do have an odd number. 1,297. I'm thinking that might have been in the lock box. >> Yeah, >> but it doesn't tie out to the earlier
ones also. >> Right. >> Still doesn't explain where the 1500 came from on the other one. >> That's true. That's true. But I think we found the lost. >> Yeah. And there is a more detailed report um that we could ask for that
tells you about all of the expenditures that come out of the account. It's like a summary at the bottom. >> Yeah. >> So if that's more helpful, we can do that because it it'll define what that >> money is. And just one more. I thought it might have been last fiscal year,
John. Maybe you remember we bought was it new pool cues, John? We bought out of the Parson's fund. I'm sorry. I really wasn't paying attention. >> We We spent money out of the You spent money. It was because you wanted to make the first purchase out of the Parson's fund and I think it was new pool.
>> That was that was something for the bridge group. >> Okay. Well, whatever it is, we're not showing any expenditures. >> So, I can explain that. So, what >> I could explain it. >> Oh, you told me. >> Okay. >> You explain. [laughter] >> All right. So, in an era, Chris did an
Amazon order and he ordered the pool cues and like a bunch of other stuff on Amazon. So, I couldn't once I got the invoice, I couldn't. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> So, it went to office supplies or something. >> Yeah, it went to like program supplies or something like that. So, if he wants
to make a motion in the next meeting, >> spend something at >> Okay. [laughter] >> spend something else out of the account. Just so you're the first one. >> Okay. All right. That those are all my questions. You don't have to. >> That was a long time ago. The pool. That probably was years.
>> Yeah, we actually have to order more. We just did, right? >> We I think we just >> Oh, we're going to We were getting input from the pool guys. >> John can tell me if they need more equipment. [laughter] >> He plays the bill. >> I didn't hear a set.
>> What do you need to play pool down? >> Oh, they did. They did. Oh, look. Yep. >> You're so good. >> Need a good pool table. >> Santa, you know Santa? Oh, I definitely don't take that with you. >> It's walked. It's taped together with
[laughter] >> All right. At this time, um, are we all set with all the questions? Thank you so much. And we'll have a select board update here. >> Since I wasn't prepared, I can't remember yesterday. So, um, I did want
to say, um, I've been working a lot over the last couple weeks. The town manager review was tomorrow, so that's where my brain has been the last couple of weeks, um, getting that together. And, um, a big part, uh, VAS, we're going to be interviewing candidates shortly. We're
trying to put together a schedule for VAS for for volunteer candidates. You know, we kind of do it quarterly a little bit. at a big part of um staff and vice me and Karen Herren went to an M anime conference a couple weeks ago
and a lot of staff was there and a lot of people saw Avengers a lot of other select board members it was my first one it was really really informative and they had a keynote speaker was I can't remember his first name but his last
name is Shrivever which means he's a Kennedy and he did this divides this program a bunch of years ago about dignity and dealing in public service. And it was such a great presentation that I brought um some of the information back to the select board
because I think we could all be reminded of how to deal with people on a regular basis. And it gave this rating from one to eight of like the bottom bottom level was being very derogatory to somebody. I can't believe they're talking this way. How can they say that?
All the way up to an eight. being very polite and very you can still have disagreements but be dignified in how you do it and >> it was fabulous. So I very hopeful that other members of the community will take what I had to hand out and look at it
often. Um and I think that's all I can remember. So with the VAS appointments, we have three openings on our on the COA including two um full members and one associate members.
>> So I don't know how many people are on the list to interview. I think there's probably 15 people and I don't know which which committees they involve with. But yes, so if you know of anyone that wants to apply for something, they should do that fairly soon if not already. >> And I think our number is
>> okay. And there's a I don't know if moving from associate to full needs an interview. I I don't I have It's my first year with it. So, um sometimes you don't need to be interviewed. Sometimes you can move right up and sometimes you can't. So, I'll know more once a week.
>> John recently moved up. John, you recently moved up from associate to phone number. Did you need to be interviewed again? >> No. >> Okay. So then, but you still would make that determination. Yeah. >> Okay.
>> So, Melissa and I get together and hopefully in the next couple of weeks we'll get that done and then what we do is present it to the select board. So, >> yes. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Welcome. >> All right. Carrie, you're on on the hot seat for the next three agenda items. um
really happy about this because I I want us to um >> make sure that we are meeting the needs of the 60 plus community >> not just building focus but you know other issues as well. So I really appreciate you putting um these these
additional items on the air. So, so I did a couple of thing. Well, I'm doing new things all the time, but one of the things I did was um I talked with the the the staff and we came up with a couple of um well, let me start let me
start with the evening activities that we have planned. So, to support the council on aging workg groupoup goals, we wanted to highlight some evening programs that we're currently offering and planning for 2026. Um, we have the interg generational competitive puzzling which is February
11th from 4:00 to 5:30. Um, we have bridging generations which is coming back in March and the date is to be determined. Um, we have chair volleyball. We're going to try to do a 12week program Tuesdays March 3rd through May through May 26th from 6:30
to 7:30 and it'll be monitored by a volunteer. Um, we're doing evening beginner line dancing Mondays starting in May. Um, and we need to get the instructor squared away with a stipened amount and determine like how much she's going to
get paid for that. Um, and we're looking to do a potential proposed cornhole at night program uh, Wednesdays, April 8th through May 13th from 6:30 to 7:30. Now, all of these programs because they we put them out to the universe doesn't
mean they're going to happen. people have to be interested in them and attend. So, we put them out there. We check attendance and if it's worth putting forward, then we continue with it. If it's not, then we have to obviously cancel. So, I'll keep you updated, I think, in the spring as to
how these are kind of taking off and if there's really a need there for some evening events. That's the reason we're kind of heading that way. Um, >> I just couldn't hear the last one you said. >> Cornhole. >> Oh, cornhole. So, can I ask a question?
>> Sure. >> How did you determine those three activities would be evening activities? >> We just talked as a staff what we thought would take off with clients >> that were not super expensive kind of easy could run themselves sort of programs without putting a lot of money
into it. see how they take off and then if they take off well and the night stuff starts taking off well then we can see what we look at for a budget and see if we want to fund something different or if we want to keep going forward with this. But you know sometimes you don't need a lot of money to have
>> good programs and fund. Yeah. Um so then the other piece is we came up with some um options for the council on aging members. You know, I I like that we talk about recal a lot, but I think we need to move
on and talk about what we're dealing with here as the Council on Aging and what we what we need here in the Council on Aging from the Council on Aging at the Center. Um, back when I first started, the Council on Aging did a lot of volunteering at the center. So they
were in the trenches with us working here helping out doing certain things for the for the for the community and for the people of the community. So I have about 10 things that I am going to go over. Um back in
the day be before co way before co volunteer used to pick up a cake at market basket once a month for birthday lunch. It involves coming to the center, getting a gift card, going to Market Basket, getting the cake, bringing it to the
center with the gift card, and the remaining balance back to me. I want to see if if anyone's willing to do that. It's yours. You You're welcome to sign up [laughter] because we as a staff, there's there's really only three of us full-time. Um,
Linda can't leave the desk. Joe's on the van. It's extremely challenging for us to leave the building to go get a cake and bring it back, but we have to get it the day of birthday lunch once a month. So, if anyone finds that interesting, you can let me know. >> Um,
you order it like >> we do. >> Yeah, we order it. We say it up for spring, you know, make it fun for Valentine's, you know, whatever. And then we bring it back here in sermon, which I am now the cake cutter and I've
learned how to easily distribute 50 pieces of cake. >> Yeah, I did an amazing job last week, I have to say. Um, [clears throat] >> you could need a bigger cakes. >> I think we might need a bigger case. The pieces were really small. Um, the other thing is we could we could
have someone pick up lunches and bring them to the center to drop off drop off the food instead of having Joe do that. Um, we're starting to do the community lunches at 12:30 on Tuesday. So, if that is interesting to anyone, you can let me
know. >> What about What about the people on our volunteer list? Can't they do that? What you need? >> Well, I'm just throwing it out to you first >> as counseling a cakes. >> Yeah. >> At what time would that You said lunch, right?
>> It's for lunch, but they're frozen. So we they defrost as they're sitting here when he goes. So [laughter] >> So in the morning, >> you could go. Yeah. Sometimes Janet would go in the morning. >> Open that early. >> We're not. >> Okay. >> But I'm here.
>> Yeah. So you could find a way. We could work something out. >> All right. Why don't you run through the list and then we'll we'll ask questions. We're actually looking to we Janet and I came up with this idea to um start a life stories program with some of the elders in the community and we're
looking for an experienced writer or editor to start a writing group um so that people can share their stories with their families. >> Um we thought we had people involved but they realized they wanted to be paid. So we're looking for a volunteer. Yeah. Um,
we're looking for two adults for our cornhole to teach and monitor competition during daytime hours between May and October. So, we're doing a night program and a day program. Um, we're looking for volunteers to tend to the gardens.
I'm a big gardener and I want to bring back the vegetables like we used to We used to have tomato gardens outside and cucumbers and zucchini and we would have pickers go out and pick and then we'd put them over there and people could take whatever they needed during the
summer months and then whatever we didn't use we would donate to the pantry. So, I'd like to bring that back this summer and clean up the gardens and use it while we still have this building and then obviously bring it to the new building with some raised garden beds at some point.
Um, we need exercise instructors in case we lose instructors due to payment issues if anyone wants to volunteer to run a class. Um, we're looking to fill some receptionists back up because Linda is traveling a lot and we need people to
sit at the desk and cover because there's a when someone takes a time off here, we all have to pitch in and do that person's job. So, it's extremely challenging to sit down there and try to do your job when it's hightraic area. Um,
see, we need someone to clean out the closets and help organize the senior center so that when we get ready to move, we're not moving junk. Um, anyone that plays music and wants to play their instrument here is always welcome to perform. U, we're looking for a
woodworking option for men. um just to kind of bring some more men in >> or women >> or women. It says for men. I'm taking what my my colleagues have said. Um we're looking to maybe do a bagged lunch on Mondays and help um we need people to
help facilitate that program and making sure the food goes to reading residents only. >> Um and we're also in the process of looking for a backup van driver. So, if you know anyone that's interested in driving the van,
um, we are always could use another two or three or four backups because Joe could use a vacation. >> Somebody has to get certified by the state to do that, right? >> I don't think I think it's just a regular >> just a regular, but they have to be trained to use the lift.
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> And like aggressive driver training. >> Yeah. >> So, they become aggressive driver [laughter] >> in that van. Yes. Chris quite through quite a bit getting you know his certification. >> Yeah.
>> Um what else then? Just going back um I don't know if you're aware but we Anna has applied for some mass cultural council grants. Um we've gotten over almost $2,925
in Mass Cultural Council grants. So, they helped pay for the Valentine's Day entertainment for $500. Um, there's a storyteller that came that was $675. The sound of healing was $750 and the ukulele they sponsored was was a,000.
So, we they've paid a lot of money towards providing us with cultural programs here at the center, which is a great thing to kind of offset our cost. And that's what we got. So, you've given us 12 different ideas
from Yeah. >> And you can call me if I if I went through them too fast and you just want to, >> you know, ask about one. Yeah. Just call me. So >> just to say something in in defense of
the council of aging not doing some of this volunteering. Chris did not want anybody picking up food senior except itself and council on aging people used to uh deliver the Christmas meals for Thanksgiving and you and Elise decided that there was something the two of you
wanted to do yourself. So some of that stuff was taken away from the council. >> Right. We did that on purpose. We took it away. >> I know you did it. >> Yeah. [laughter] because it was becoming a lot of work. So, when a client didn't answer the door and it was uh it got put back on me to
go back out and find where the client was and do a wellness check. So, I was like, I'll just go to the house with the lease and the nurse and deliver it myself because I know how to get in to the building. >> I just push all the buttons. [laughter] Somebody lets me
>> get I know. [laughter] Well, I just don't want the new council members to think that, you know, we were slacking off. >> No, of course. We was still WILLING TO DO IT. >> YEAH, OF COURSE. And No, that's why we're bringing it back. We're bringing it back. What' you say about the food
though? He didn't buy food delivered >> like going to Christopher's and picking up the the food for the lunch or going to the college or wherever it was. Chris always wanted to do that himself. >> Oh, >> I have no idea why. asking.
>> Yes, Kate, you had a question. >> Tell me about the gardens. I don't know anything about them or where they are. Are they gardens or they container garden? >> It's more like space. >> Space. >> Yeah. Out here. >> So out here. >> All along the patio. Yeah. >> Okay. Just trying to envision.
>> Yeah. It used to be to me. >> And but it's in the ground, not containers. It's >> correct. But you could we could put them in containers. We could do whatever. >> Yeah. Whatever's easier. I mean, it did attract a lot of squirrels and stuff and chipmunks, but we can deal with that.
>> We had a lot of cherry tomatoes at one point. >> And even if it wasn't vegetables, like just cleaning it up and >> cleaning it up and making sure and coming and attending to it. Like I thought it was very community- based and it was lovely to see people wanting to maintain it and keep it pretty and
>> whether it be fruit and vegetables or whatever it was. I just like the vegetable concept because I just enjoy watching my garden grow. [laughter] I'm kind of a little hippie at art. >> Well, I hope that you know this is a
list of we'll look it over and see maybe we can help fill any gaps. >> Yeah. >> And none of it's pressure, >> right? >> No pressure. Just fun. >> Anytime you want. But it does sound like you really need some help in terms of
picking things up. >> Yes. Picking up. >> It does decrease the number of people who are available in the building. Right. Right. >> So it almost seems like it is something that we actually >> the picking up the cake and like um helping with the food which that might change too if we go a different route
with the food. We might end up going like with the schools or something and they they can deliver. >> All right. >> So that might all change hopefully. Um, but everything this was with we made this up kind of before we had different talks. So, but the CA picking up the
cake would be a huge help. >> And I assume Carrie would be comfortable with us sharing this list with other groups that we're in because I'm thinking of a couple others that I'm in where there are people who are into writing. there are musician things and
so >> um >> you know sharing them with them and letting them know is they can get the word out. >> Yeah, absolutely. And so anyone that wants to volunteer can contact Janet. She would run a Corey, have them fill out a volunteer application and then
they could come start doing whatever they wanted here. >> And you can reference the ones that are already existing. If people already have quaries with the town for some reason, you would know that. Yes. Yeah. I think we have to do it even though if the schools do it. I think we have to run
our own though. Really? >> Yeah. >> Oh, okay. >> I don't know why. >> I don't know if it's a different Corey or what, but >> regarding the years ago used to work the garden. So, they aged out. It was beautiful out there. >> Yeah.
>> And the vegetables were right beyond the paddic over here. The garden club was supposed to take care of the outside did not for years and everything is overgrown up here. We have ivy going up the side of the building here. It looks
like a powerhouse out of a Disney and sooner or later we're going to have to use patches to go in and out. >> I'm surprised you haven't sprayed it with some chemical. >> Yeah, they did fix Huh. >> They did cuz it's bad. [clears throat] >> It's bad. This window's always covered.
It's the second window. The Ivy. I mean, really, we're going to need hatchets to get out [laughter] of here. >> Like the Ivy League. [laughter] >> What's wrong with looking like the Ivy League? Oh, [laughter]
>> I actually like Ivy on the walls. >> So, you got somebody to teach you volunteers. They don't have to be wedding residents, do they volunteer? >> No. Okay. >> No. >> Okay.
>> But I would assume they'd want maybe wannabe. >> No. >> Well, maybe not. Maybe that's Yeah, maybe. >> Okay. And when would the cornhole classes or When would you do that? What day? >> I think we're looking to do it in the spring because I think we want to do it outside.
>> Outside. >> Yeah. >> What day would that be? What time? >> Um I don't know. I'll have to ask I'll have to ask Anna. I think we would remember we did some stuff on the patio that was kind of fun. We did the Jenga. We had the cornhole out there. Remember you guys were all
out there one day? >> Yeah. >> I think we want to kind of bring that kind of have it outside so people can learn how to play because we saw that people enjoyed it. It's kind of like an outside activity to get some fresh air. >> At one point we had an awning out there.
>> Yeah. That was very expensive. >> Was it? >> Yeah. >> That might have been where the money came from. Was that for the tent? Remember we rented that tent for years? >> Yeah. >> And it was super pricey. >> It was back when Kevin was here.
>> Yeah. >> I see. You have your hand raised? >> I do. I do. Um, a quick thing pertaining to the gardens. Uh I one time I thought Crystal Garden Club was going to
maintain the sides of the building and a year or two back I cleaned up the best I could etc etc and then speaking with Chris I had mentioned
a possibility of a landscaper would volunteer but I think there was a mixup uh of coordinating. So that was let go. So I don't know if before we start doing anything, you're
talking just where the patio is or all around the building, Carrie. >> Oh, just where the patio is. >> Yeah, cuz Garden Club, I think, does do a section in the Boy Scouts. >> Yeah, the Boy Scouts. Everybody owns a different There's signs all around the building where they own >> Yeah. And then the front of the
building, we did have a landscaper come, >> right? >> Um and just [clears throat] do a cleanup. Yeah, I thank you for that because I remember that, Jenna, because I lugged about I don't know how many bags out and to Rosemary's point, I think uh someone did pull down a lot of
the ivy growing up the side, but I think when you came to the rescue, Jenna, because the landscaper I knew couldn't do it. So, do you think we should check into that this year and maybe there might be volunteers that can do it or
they can't do it and get it? >> Um, Jean, I'm looking for volunteers. >> Oh, no. No, I know. But are you looking? >> You're just looking for the patio. I'm talking about the other side of the building. >> Yeah. I think we'll have to see what it looks like when the snow melts. >> Well, it's going to It's not going to look pretty.
>> It's not. The [laughter] front of the building could be nice. >> Yeah, the front would be nice. >> Oh, the front is over. all over the world. [clears throat] The shrubs that are now halfway up these windows used to be shrubs, but nobody's trimmed them and shaped them. Now they're like trees.
So >> So Carrie, maybe that's something I don't mind sitting with you or Jenner or someone and we can kind of review to take the steps going forward. >> Yeah, absolutely. Because if I could get this
um landscaper to volunteer their services, that would be great. >> If you could get anyone to volunteer their services, that would be great. >> Okay. >> Thanks, G. >> Thanks, Jean. >> You're welcome. >> Terry, I wonder about the um
cleaning out the closets when you start seeing the need to do that. That's something that the COA could spend a few hours on Saturday or Friday. I mean, afternoon or something. Yeah. Helping with that. That would be something that we can do as a small. >> I would recommend we would have to have
gloves. >> Oh, of course. >> And masks. >> Yes. >> So, let us know, you know, like when you're starting to do that and and we can set aside >> kind of have been slowly taking turns going through and but we
just don't have the time. I mean, now we just do not have the time. >> Well, do you want us to set up the lady? Yeah, I'll talk with Janet and see what she's thinking because I think she wants to use the room upstairs that we met in today, the the kitchen, which is the craft room. Use those cabinets for more
storage. >> Okay. >> Rather than junk, which it's turned into, >> let us know how they organize something efficient. >> Okay. As a COA, >> there's a lot of stuff in those cabinets that that certain groups use that >> not anymore.
>> What What about Roma Coven Bridge? There's nothing in there that that's what I want to put in there is those things. >> Well, Bridge >> Bridge has their stuff in there. >> I know we do. >> Yeah. >> And I just be afraid somebody not would say, "What the heck is this junk?" >> Well, we would never have anyone just
throw things out without it going past staff first. [clears throat] >> When we had knitting here, we have a lot of knitting needles. We have a lot of crochet needles. I don't think you should throw any of those things out. >> I know, but I think they became beds for some creatures.
>> Oh. Oh, >> nice in the walls. >> Well, at one point >> I don't really want to go look for it and look through it. >> I would throw out any kind of blindness, but I wouldn't throw [clears throat] the instruments. >> No. Right. Right. >> No, nothing that
>> How about you talked about you need help on the receptionist desk. Come come spring when kids are out of school, why can't we get uh high schoolers or college kids? So the problem is with high school and college kids volunteering at the desk. It's a great idea, but they leave to go to school and
we need someone. >> No, no, when school is out. >> I know, but I when they go back, it's just a short term. I'd rather have someone do it. I I mean, ideally, I would rather have a property tax worker do it for longer. >> Can we advertise for any of these needs?
Can we put in the paper looking for volunteers for a >> We have [clears throat] Yeah, we have. I mean, Janet has gotten 75 volunteers to come into the center, which is a feat in itself. >> She's put an ad in the paper. >> Not in the paperwork, but in the
newsletter and um >> 75 volunteers pretty much have most of it anyway. >> Yeah. I think what Carrie said was that she was >> she could put it back out, but she wanted to come up with these things just to get the Council on Aging
>> Yeah. that we can start to be more involved in >> rather than you know just all talk about recal all the time like we want to get you guys into the building and meet the people and see the clients and >> right >> so you mentioned about property tax I
wonder I know that that's a select board issue >> yes >> and I'm not sure when it comes back up on the select board because maybe we can ask for additional hours because that is very successful >> well we're I think can I can I say what we're trying we want to do is have no Yeah, >> cat.
>> Yeah. >> Oh, one >> ide would have to >> It has to go to select board though and it has to proposing what? >> Maybe a no income cap >> because we would get a whole pool of volunteers to come in.
>> Anybody can do it. >> What do you mean you have an income cap on volunteers? >> For property tax work, >> the special program, >> you have to make up a certain amount. >> You have to be income eligible. But a lot of communities don't have that income guideline and they have 150
volunteers. >> Excellent. >> Yeah. So I that's something we want to do >> down the road. >> Is it? >> No. I I think what Carrie just said, no income tax. I think that's a great way to go because otherwise they don't they
receive a 1099 the volunteer of the income tax credit. I don't think so. >> No, they just get the credit on their taxes. >> Yeah, but we even think for recal it would be really helpful to have like readers and have um
>> people work in the front desk for the property tax worker program. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It would save a lot operationally for us in the [clears throat] kitchen in the future. >> And it will bring a whole group of people in that might not It's very complicated. Yeah. >> Yeah. Because the more money you put
towards it, the more other people in town have to >> It would be a good idea if it wasn't just income based. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Or you know, maybe if you don't you can start with not eliminating the
cap alto together and maybe increasing it, >> right? >> A little bit. >> Yeah, we could. Okay. But that's not agenda. >> TBD. It's down the line. I [clears throat] think we're kind of on track although we didn't do the latest
but PBC update 7:20 7:20 now >> and I have a very short on because the uh the meeting typically would be held on the first Wednesday it was pushed till uh this Wednesday because the the general contract bid phase closed on
Thursday. Uh we have a list of the finalized list that the the permanent building committee is going to be voting reviewing voting on and approving on Wednesday. Uh and we're still anticipating groundbreaking shovels in the ground
next month beginning. >> Can you talk about the bids for themselves? How they they made the budget? Uh they all did. Yeah, they all I don't know. I can actually talk about them, but yeah, >> but they were all in
>> the bids came in. Well, it's going to be discussed Wednesday night, >> so we can watch that meeting and see how it goes. >> Just know [laughter] I really think we should be discussing it before the permanent building. >> Building committee that makes that
determination. We have nothing to do with it. Okay, thank you. So, yeah, you didn't even need All right, the CO we're ahead of schedule. COA working group update and possible vote. It's another very
short update. Um, there have been developments. What we're doing, our core activity is we're interacting back and forth with the operations group. Um you present us with policies, we talk about it, we the work group tries to
summarize, we send back feedback, you send back feedback, sometimes we send a little, you know, round and round it goes and we get closer closer to a harmonious decision on these things. So we are still working on that. We met on February 3rd. We often say it's going to be a one-hour meeting and we're there
for a good three to four hours. [laughter] These are long meetings and we almost did it in a broken windowed room at the Burger King. [laughter] Anyway, um we're making progress on that. Regarding the memo that we had circulated last time, but had not made a
motion on um Jane Burns kind of leaprogged ahead, not Jane Burns, Jane Wellman sort of leaprogged ahead on it and went ahead and said sent us response even though we hadn't had a motion to ask for consideration yet. um which is what we would have done if we were if we
weren't at that point was just to ask for your consideration because we're concerned about the issues we raised. Anyway, so we just got that I just saw this morning and so at our next meeting I'm sure we will review it but we really appreciated the speedy response and and
we understand we're being hurt and thank you. Um you know we're not meaning to be just always sounding we're not trying ever to be negative. We're just sharing concern and we're glad that it's being picked up and responded to and I think
that's a good sign. Um, and I think that is all I have. You know, we'll be meeting. They haven't scheduled a meeting yet, but you can count on us. We will. [laughter] And um, we'll take it from there. There were suggestions made in it as things the council might take on for its
responsibility in some of this. So, I'm sure we'll be discussing that. for example. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So anyway, thank you and it's progress and solid surely the conversation is love.
>> Does anyone have any other questions? >> [laughter] >> Yeah, I think you know I think um it does seem to be you know a collaborative effort and I do think that you know Carrie brings a different perspective as well and now you're part of that operations working group too. So you
really do have a a pulse of what's happening here at the Pleasant Center, right? >> As well as some of the issues that need to be brought up as well. So I really appreciate your perspective and how the operations working group seems to be working and collaborative giving us
feedback as well and they're submitting um information and sort of questions from the DOA. So we wanted to be continue to be collaborative and um so great. I guess one other thing is I I anticipate we've all done a lot of work
on it. Um just wasn't yet finished that at the next meeting we'll be ready to send back our latest batch of thoughts >> of comments back to from our comments. >> Exactly. But a lot of work happened on that this weekend individually and I'm
sure we'll be warming that all together. >> It's concise. >> Concise and succinct. >> Yes. Concise and succinct. >> Great. Thanks. >> So now we can go to the approval of minutes. We have three different meeting
minutes to approve and the first one is from December 17th. I really appreciate um Jenna that you're putting and carrying that you're putting together our packet as one and that it is getting posted online. That I think
is really good for the community as well. So, um, the first do we have a motion on the December 17th minutes? >> Motion to accept. >> I
motion to accept a second. Any questions? Any changes? We will do a roll call vote since online. call three at one. >> I don't think so.
>> Japanese starts from five in five minutes. [laughter] >> The second greatest sports event of the year is on in five minutes. >> Oh, I was wondering what was next. >> What's that? >> The baby park. >> Oh, >> all right. [laughter]
>> All right. Um, so roll call vote. I'm sorry. I just have to pull up everybody's name. I had it all organized. Okay. Jean Prao, >> yes. >> John Parson, >> yes. >> Rosemary Deanadoto, >> yes. >> Joan Koko. >> Marilyn Shappley. >> Yes.
>> John Suzinski. >> Yep. >> Karen Janowski. Yes. >> Karen Pette. Yes. >> Karen Pette. >> Oh, I missed I went over your name. Karen Kette. >> Yes. >> So that is 6.
>> Okay. Next one. Any questions on the B? Let me see what the next date is. It is >> January 12th. Any changes to that meeting? >> Just a question. Motion made to approve minutes and
discuss. It says after discussion, it says I decided to table the December 15th minutes to February meeting. That's still outstanding. It's not which doesn't get any of these minutes wrong. I'm saying
>> yeah on that. >> Yeah, that's a good point. Um I did those meeting minutes. I used a lot of like the AI transcriptions because it was just a lot of information and comments. And I think the feedback I got
was that you wanted some um more of like your comments reflected. I'd ask for myself. I'd ask for the exact office that I >> No, I I meant I meant like the COA comments. More COA comments, not just specifically your comments. Yeah, that's
that's what I meant. My apologies. >> So, um, >> and Nancy said she might have some time, but no. >> Yeah. So, I can take a second go at it. I think that the recreation committee was going to give their comments on the
joint meeting minutes tonight as well and either vote to approve or or not or give some feedback so I can figure out where that landed. Um so I'll figure out that where that landed first of all and then I could always go back and revisit and do a better job at pulling out some
comments. Um, usually it's kind of just like a general synopsis of what happened, not like this person said this and then Jenna responded this way and then >> but but I can certainly add some more color if you would prefer it. >> It's not color. It's rubbing in general
minutes unless they like making the motion or something. We usually don't identif that. >> Anyway, >> yeah, >> but these ones I think are fine. It's just I saw this in there and wanted to ask. >> No, thank you. Thanks. >> Kate, you had a question? >> Well, no. I was just going to say what
Marilyn said basically was it's not about more color. It's there was only one name consistently mentioned and we just said just summarize the comments. Don't attribute them to >> anyone is what we were going to ask. >> Yeah, I think when I went back and read them I think it did kind of summarize
the >> basic >> conversation and all the aspects of the conversation. >> So >> it's the name. Okay. So just you know your specific name being mentioned.
>> Yeah. >> Gotcha. Okay. >> There she goes again just as I am again. [laughter] >> All of your comments. >> I think that would be odd. >> That would be >> Yeah. The one thing who updates these do you update them and then get them online? >> Um the meeting minutes. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. So I just put that you know it's the final draft and then I send it to the clerk's office. Yeah. >> The one thing I would say is the select board update here and her real didn't provide a select board update. Um, she just made comment but I read the
comments from Karen. So I would just take out that Karen is still like it was more she just made it. >> Yes. of that list. >> That would be the only thing I It's on
the page It's on the first page of December I mean of January 12th. >> Okay. So, she didn't provide >> just >> Okay. Because she didn't provide a select board update. >> Okay.
>> All right. So is there a motion with that? >> Motion accept. >> Second motion to accept that change. All right. And again we will any other comments.
All right. Again we Okay. Rosemary. Please. >> Yes. >> Yes. John Parson here. >> Jane, >> yes. >> Okay. Excellent. And now we have the
final set of motions for January 21st. Any changes? >> It says at the bottom, please refer to the handouts below. >> Right. I did see >> there were no handouts, but I got So,
can we cross that? >> Yes. Other than that, >> you want to make a motion. >> Motion to accept with that one change the minutes from 12126. >> Second. >> Any discussion? John Parsons.
>> Yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Can >> Yes. unanimously. And now, um, future agenda items, any thoughts, think of any during, you
know, between now and our next meeting. Um, just email them to me so I'll make sure. But anybody, our next meeting is March 9th. It's the second Monday of the month. It is going to be a joint meeting with the recreation committee because
the operations board update and they want to provide it to both of both of us at the same time for discussion. Monday night. >> Second. >> Okay. >> Yes.
Thank you all.