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Home My WebLink About2026-05-11 Council On Aging Packet This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be dis cussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting. Page | 1 2018-07-16 LAG Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Council on Aging Date: 2026-05-11 Time: 6:00 PM Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Location: Great Room Address: 49 Pleasant Street Agenda: Purpose: COA Monthly Meeting Meeting Called By: Kerry Valle on behalf of John Parsons Notices and agendas are to be posted 48 hours in advance of the meetings excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Legal Holidays. Please keep in mind the Town Clerk’s hours of operation and make necessary arrangements to be sure your posting is made in an adequate amount of time. A listing of topics that the chair reasonably anti cipates will be discussed at the meeting must be on the agenda. All Meeting Postings must be submitted in typed format; handwritten notices will not be accepted. Topics of Discussion: This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting. However, the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting. 6:00 6:05 6:15 6:20 Call to Order, Attendance, Overview of Agenda Approval of Meeting Minutes (April 2026) Discussion and Vote for COA Secretary (Ron P) Public Comment John Parsons John Parsons John Parsons Public 6:20 6:40 6:55 7:15 Select Board Update Elder & Human Services (EHS) Report and Trust Fund Reports Upcoming events Property Tax Worker Program and guidelines and income cap. Trust Fund Expenditure update and future funding Member of Select Board Kerry Valle Janet Dubow John Parsons/Kerry Valle 7:30 7:35 Future Agenda Items (Re organization for Board Chair and Vice Chair) Adjourn John Parsons/Kerry Valle John Parsons This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be dis cussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting. Page | 2 Community Services Department is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Council on Aging Meeting Time: May 11, 2026 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87269160096?pwd=1f4K0BwhfiOSokHUoQszvTiAYF6HZA.1 Meeting chat link https://us06web.zoom.us/launch/jc/87269160096 View meeting insights with Zoom AI Companion https://us06web.zoom.us/launch/edl?muid=49d0ad3f-f03e-480f-8789-0cb891da61a8 Meeting ID: 872 6916 0096 Passcode: 482476 --- One tap mobile +16465189805,,87269160096#,,,,*482476# US (New York) +16465588656,,87269160096#,,,,*482476# US (New York) --- Join by SIP • 87269160096@zoomcrc.com Join instructions https://us06web.zoom.us/meetings/87269160096/invitations?signature=lBmUJZjJUKymC3dIh4hkvUORzqeRd B2cTKEELW0oKVM This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be dis cussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting. Page | 3 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Page | 1 2016-09-22 LAG Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Council on Aging Date: 2026-04-13 Time: 6:00 Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Location: Community Room Address: 49 Pleasant Street Session: Purpose: monthly meeting Version: Attendees: Members - Present: Karen Janowski, Marilyn Shapleigh, Rosemary DeBenedetto, John Parsons, John Saczynski, Kate Harrington, Ron Powell Members - Not Present: Sally Hoyt, Joan Coco, Jean Prato, Karen Pinette, Thomas O'Connor Others Present: Jenna Wood (Community Services Director), Kerry Valle (Elder & Human Services Administrator), Jayne Wellman (Assistant Town Manager), Katie Gabriello (Director of Operations), Select Board Member Karen Rose-Gillis, and additional community attendees Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Ron Powell Topics of Discussion: The Council reviewed and approved the February and December meeting minutes with a correction regarding the previously referenced $80,000 Burbank interest figure. Community updates included announcements from Nora Bucko regarding an upcoming antique appraisal event on May 20 at St. Agnes and the successful “Life Transition Binder” program. Karen Rose-Gillis shared updates on recent Town leadership changes and a MassDOT informational session regarding highway improvement projects. The Council reviewed a newly compiled 31-page member packet containing information on Council responsibilities, Massachusetts Councils on Aging resources, and relevant statutes and policies. Members discussed corrections to citations, links, and fundraising language, and agreed that the finalized packet would be reviewed by staff and posted online following final approval. Kerry Valle provided Elder and Human Services updates, highlighting strong participation in programs and services, growth in the community lunch program, successful tax assistance appointments, and new offerings including Royal Tours and Learn to Play Mahjong. Staff also reported that more than 270 residents enrolled in the new Rec Technologies registration system within the first three weeks, while noting ongoing issues with mobile registration and emergency contact collection that continue to be addressed. The Council discussed upcoming community events and agreed not to participate in the June Friends and Family Day event, choosing instead to focus efforts on the September Fall Street Fair, which may be scaled down due to construction activity. Plans for the June 1 health fair were also reviewed. The Council discussed conducting a future survey of residents aged 60 and older to better understand programming and facility needs associated with the future Center for Active Living. Members discussed potential focus groups, Monthly Report April 2026 PSC Monthly Report COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT ELDER/HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION B.E.S.T.—BALANCE, ENGERY, STRENGTH, TRAINING Time: 9:00am Fee: Free 25-28PPL 4 week session April 6th -24, April 13- 28 and Week of April 27th-28 CHAIR YOGA WITH TERRY Time: 11:15AM-12:15PM Fee: $15 for resident / $20 for non-resident Min. 12/ Max. 20 9 PPL on average willing to run with less 9 attended 3xs 27 duplicated 2025/2026 STATISTICS Dec Jan 26 Feb 26 Mar 26 April 26 May 26 Jun 26 July 26 August 26 Cultural & Social Events 152/112 180/103 156/96 86/76 106/84 Educational Programming 87/77 39/32 27/26 105/82 96/75 Groups and Clubs 439/131 346/134 299/113 450/116 378/114 Health, Wellness and Fit. 676/162 663/195 631/164 851/162 517/131 MSC Non-Clinical Support Serv. 50/49 38/37 64/57 71/71 63/61 Support Groups 13/13 14/14 16/16 10/10 9/9 Inter-Generational 38/38 0 2/2 0 0 Social Services 120/60 137/58 88/49 99/56 108/61 Transportation 301/38 265/38 290/42 373/46 356/46 Trips 26 0 0 0 Walk-ins 65/48 70/51 82/59 74/58 65/56 Phone log 590/250 614/290 500/296 483/268 322/207 Lunch 240/67 148/60 140/70 210/90 92/39 MSC Total People Served 2771 added: 1783/421 2506 added 1495/377 1471/404 1522/362 2112 Duplicated/Unduplicated Monthly Report BODY & BRAIN FLEXIBILITY WITH YASMIN (4-week session) Time: 10:30AM-11:30AM Fee: $20 for resident/ $25 for non-resident Min. 4/ Max. 12 7 PPL per average 7 people attended 4xs 28 duplicated. MAT YOGA WITH ROSA Time: 11:45AM-12:30PM Fee: $40 for resident/ $45 for non-resident Min. 5/ Max. 8 7 PPL on average 7 people attended 4x’s 28 duplicated POM DANCE WITH JOIE (4-week session) Time: 8:30AM-9:30AM Fee: $20 per participant/$25 for non-resident Min. 15/ Max. 27 15 PPL on average 15 attended 4x’s 60 dupicated STRENGTH & BALANCE WITH TERRY (4-week session) Time: 11:00AM—12:00PM Fee: $20 for resident/ $25 for non-resident Min. 15/ Max. 27 18 PPL on average 15 attended 4x’s 60 duplicated • 379 users in Rec Tech • 872 transactions Volunteers: December January February March April May June July August 75 hrs Volunteer Hours: 64.5 Volunteer Days: 41 Hours: 117.5 Days: 66 Volunteer Hours: 147.5 Volunteer Days: 91 Volunteer Days: 82 Volunteer Hours: 139 Monthly Report Pleasant Street Center Highlights: Highlights: • Another order of Mangia, Meatballs &Murder • Let’s get digital with John Tedesco • Coffee hour with Reading police • Life Transition Binder • Tuesday Community Lunch Averaging about 30 for community lunch with a few cancellations the day of. Monthly Report Page | 2 demographic research, and interest areas such as pickleball, woodworking, and other recreational and social programming. The Council reviewed draft fitness room and membership policies, including liability concerns, accessibility considerations, equipment usage, and walking track rules. These documents will return to the working group for additional revisions. Updates regarding the Center for Active Living project included the awarding of the construction contract to J&J Contractors, with the project currently approximately $2.5 million under budget. Additional site access and photovoltaic alternatives were approved, and a groundbreaking ceremony was scheduled for Thursday April 16th at 9:00 a.m. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on discussion of the proposed divider wall for the flex program room at the new Center for Active Living. Several members expressed disappointment that the Permanent Building Committee declined to approve the proposal, emphasizing the importance of flexible programming space and opportunities for informal socialization. A design analysis by the architect BH+A estimated the cost of the divider to be $307,000. Members discussed alternative approaches and the intended use of the game room and lounge spaces within the building. The Game Room, Maker Space, and the Conference Room by the Recreation Department Offices were discussed as alternatives for small programs. Town Manager Jayne Wellman said that there would be key access to the conference room. Following discussion, the Council voted 7-0 to support a request asking the Permanent Building Committee to reconsider adding a divider to the flex program room. The Council also discussed trust fund management and agreed to restore trust fund discussions as a standing agenda item and schedule a future “Trust Fund 101” presentation. Additional future agenda items include the accessibility report, operating budget review, Property Tax Worker Program discussion, survey planning updates, and final approval of the Council packet. The meeting adjourned following completion of business. Adjournment: 8:35 PM Next Meeting: May 11, 2026, at 6:00 PM