===PAGE 1=== Minutes approved at 5/13/25 COA Meeting Lunenburg Council on Aging Meeting Minutes April 8, 2025 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Deb Lincoln called the meeting to order at 9:40 AM. Present: Deb Lincoln (chairperson), Jane Rabbitt (Vice Chairperson), Ana Lockwood, Diane Nowd, Elena Christopher, Susan O’Sullivan, Jim McGuigan, Cathy Beale, Judy Tarbell, Barbara Coulombe (Eagle House Supporters). Excused: Peter Lincoln, Helen Balcom. Announcements: Lou Franco has applied to become a member of The COA when the upcoming resignations occur. Public Comment: None Board Comment: Susan O’Sullivan reported that UMass Memorial Health announced it is planning to build a new Satellite emergency facility (SEF) in the Nashoba Valley region of North Central Massachusetts following the closure of Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer. It is also exploring options for certain imaging services. They were unable to use the former hospital site in Ayer, now owned by Apollo Global Management. The closure has created challenges for residents, with longer ambulance rides and increased strain on local emergency services and other hospitals. The Governor has formed a Nashoba Valley Working group (EOHS) to work on this. A proposed location of the new facility is being considered at 490 Main Street in Groton MA. UMass hopes to have the SEF constructed and operational by the end of 2026, pending approval from the Mass Dept. of Public Health (DPH). UMass needs to go before the Groton Planning Board and Conservation Commission to gain approval for its site plan. Ana Lockwood wanted to make sure that we all knew that there is a Parks Commission Meeting 4-9- 2025 at TCP at 7 PM. The meeting is about Marshall Park Design. All need to be informed of this plan so that they can make informed choices at the May 3rd Town meeting. Minutes were amended and approved. New Business: 1. Charles Sanderson is our newest member of the Century Club (100 years old). We will celebrate with him on May 5, 2025, at 1 PM. 2. Our chairperson, Deb Lincoln asked all to work on ideas to initiate a Senior Health Care Advisory Team to assist Seniors with navigating the Health Care system. We will discuss next month’s meeting. 3. The Lunenburg Adult Activities Center needs more space for programs. The COA made and passed a motion to put on the 2027 Capital Plan a feasibility study to add a small elevator to be able to access the second floor of the Eagle House. Current Business: 1. Our director reported that the town’s FY26 Senior center budget. We are losing a part-time Outreach Coordinator and moving two kitchen aides from the formula grant to the town budget, as well as updating the Meal Site Manager from part-time to full-time. Increase in Program Budget by $3,000 The plans for FY 2027 are to hire a program coordinator and an Assistant director/Outreach coordinator by increasing the grade for that person. 2. The Veteran’s breakfast on April 11th will honor Charles Sanderson, 10 years old and a WWll Veteran. 3. There will be a Master Plan meeting on April 9,2025. 4. 300th town Anniversary plan, No updates. 5. Parking lot, no updates. ===PAGE 2=== Minutes approved at 5/13/25 COA Meeting Director’s Report: 1. The kitchen is almost completed. The updates on the electrical and plumbing are almost complete. We should be able to utilize the kitchen by the end of the week. 2. The shades are in and now can be operated electrically. Elsa’s Watson’s retirement celebration will be on April 18, 2025, at 9 AM. There will be a felting class on April 16 at 5 PM. We now have free passes available for 6 people to visit the Tower Hill Botanical Garden. There will be a Vendors fair sponsored by the Lunenburg Business Association on May 10, 2025. The flower arranging class will be on May 7, 2025, at 5 PM. A bus trip is planned for July to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The date is not yet determined. Eagle House Supporters Report: Barbara Coulomb reported that the Supporters now accept VENMO for their fundraiser events. Their first event is the membership fundraiser event. They are also participating in the Vendor’s Fair and Lynn Walsh has generously offered to fund an Ice Cream Truck. Notices and Communications: None Board Comment: None Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 10:36. Vote was unanimous. Upcoming Meeting Schedule: Next meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2025.