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Council on Aging (COA) Advisory Board
Minutes from Meeting June 8, 2026 at 9:00AM
At Lowell Senior Center
I. Roll Call/Sign - In: In attendance: Chairman Richard Demers, Co-Chairperson Maxine Farkas, Frank Baskin, Gilda James, Judy Huber, Recorder Beverly Gonsalves, Andy Hostetler & Erin Gendron. Absent Molyka Tieng. Attending for the Director Aurora Erickson, Program Director.
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Approval of the May minutes: First by Judith Huber second by Maxine Farkas. All others were in approval.
IV. Director's Report: Tara will be back on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Tara's position is funded by a grant now as well as other positions. Neil who works here on weekends also got laid off. Aurora said that Doug, Maintenance employee may want a Scrubber for the bathroom. He will have to put in a request to Friends for the cost.
Input for the Heritage will be requested on the first of each month.
V. Chairperson's Report: Richard said the June 7 Bingo made under $500.00. The 50-50 raffle made $268.00, $134.00 for Friends and $134.00 for the winner.
VI Committee & Liaison Reports
a. Grant updates: Maxine will work with Aurora on the Cultural Council Grant. Next year Maxine will be applying for the Greater Lowell Community Foundation Grant. Maxine receives e-mails that list Grants. She would really appreciate if other members would be interested in learning how to write for Grants. She has even volunteered her time to teach anyone who may be interested in Grant Writing.
Maxine had a conversation with Tom Golden about the Walgreen building. This issue is still in Executive Session. Tom said that Tara is taken care of. The petitions will be discussed at the first budget meeting on June 16. Tom wants to get Western Ave. off the ground and there may be money to move into the vacant Walgreen's. Maxine said that money could be used to pay our back rent. Friends can raise money that the city cannot. Friend's manages Grant money for Maxine and she is paying 10% of the Grant to Friends to manage. Jacquie the Treasurer of Friends' is in charge of the money.
Doug wants a scrubber for the bathrooms. At a previous meeting Maxine gave out a list of items and programs and how much is spent is spent on each.
b. Outreach Committee: Frank Baskin gave an update on the COA in the July issue of the Heritage. One issue is the possibility of a building move/change. The City Council met in Executive Session and the report is that there does seem to be a difference about the possibility of changing ownership but the current ownership stays in place.
c. Healthy Aging Committee: The first Happy to Chat Bench was held on a rainy day in front of the Leo Roy parking lot on Market St. Senator Vanna Howard and City Council member Sean McDonough attended and spoke.
d. Senior Center Working Group
VII Items for Discussion
a. Old Business
- i. BHOAP Behavioral Health Outreach for Aging Population
- ii. Changes to Mass Health
VIII Other
IX Adjournment
First by Andy second by Maxine. All others were in favor.
Next Meeting Monday August 10, @ 9;00 am