[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6083857,"mediaKeyId","2926231-7d0d275a38332c8f2798c46188f391d5","parentId",2926231,"title","Council on Aging members briefed on mayoral appointments, city council confirmation and recent charter change","audioSeconds",340,"startMs",2780000,"endMs",3120000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2926231-7d0d275a38332c8f2798c46188f391d5&start=2780&end=3120","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2926231-7d0d275a38332c8f2798c46188f391d5/thumbnail_2780000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6083857/Gardner-City/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Council-on-Aging-members-briefed-on-mayoral-appointments-city-council-confirmation-and-recent-charter-change","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083857-7c77a632b3c2149065f4252e7094fe2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775489231&Signature=m8dc7LrPlnzmY5qcBog8Ndf7Ygd9oQkCVKYvHyj2l6ZR6KK75idmO3t7hW~imS1bWDk8WGrYoTGkXbR13cspCDINZwGVkXk1l1IIdPEngeCpAikyy4JUzDZo2b4Qt0VNNQaRGX-uwAfAr0fWArypUGXxHn5A~Bl1oVQS18qpz2LEr0rflAfup3cqE8pjARErwSL2lf3IoBZRPnoL9FX7GPhQw8k1GhfYomq1-aHG3OH7z2fPiGayQF1qx5WQtTUVBEbcxUxbC1vO5K~ccvNjqs60qksxQL2FvI~tbxe17zhgtJ6zeJ520Fum6UvBcd9zPNsf7iRlz4HoUcPZeIzaZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gardner City, MA","date","2025-04-09T16:36:38.02Z","article","Members of the Gardner City Council on Aging board asked about reappointment and the appointment process at the April 7 meeting and were briefed on the mechanics under the city charter.

A staff presenter explained the mayor makes appointments to the board and that the City Council reviews and either approves or rejects those appointees. The presenter also told members a recent charter revision removed the requirement that appointees be Gardner residents, bringing the COA's appointment process in line with other city boards. \"We are an official board of the city... you are appointed by the mayor to serve,\" the presenter said, describing the standard process: the mayor nominates, the appointment committee interviews and makes a recommendation, and the council takes the final action.

Staff said some recently reappointed members were asked to provide short bios as part of the updated process; those bios are reviewed by the appointments committee. The presenter also reminded members that after formal council action, appointees must be sworn in at the city clerk's office.

Board members raised procedural questions about officers and election timing; staff clarified that the city council does not confirm internal officer elections (chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer) and that officers are selected by the board under its bylaws. Members were told they should appear before the appointments committee when requested to discuss their experience and service.

The remarks were procedural in nature and required no formal board action at the April 7 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gardner Council on Aging Meeting Apr 7 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board members learned at the April 7 meeting that COA appointments are made by the mayor and must be confirmed by the city council; a charter revision removed the previous residency requirement and some reappointees were asked to provide bios for the appointments process.","taxTitle","Gardner City, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",60679,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6083862,"Veterans group offers pool tables and memorabilia as Gardner senior center plans move; city may provide $1M for improvements",564,2106000,2670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2926231-7d0d275a38332c8f2798c46188f391d5&start=2106&end=2670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2926231-7d0d275a38332c8f2798c46188f391d5/thumbnail_2106000.jpg","/articles/6083862/Gardner-City/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Veterans-group-offers-pool-tables-and-memorabilia-as-Gardner-senior-center-plans-move-city-may-provide-1M-for-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083862-d9a84ee3fa6645822807b26c04717454/orig.mp4?Expires=1775489231&Signature=eN9Qw96ITeQVBTM3h8eWcjBRL6FfKgAnrFgFFVOmrOWNhje1-6z9AKeppEqoKbfJd3MW9CTdHBlNVGvzOPNwvZ8D4Bi1PbYFMg5WSM6M4mYSFcUgMMNashgJHSFb6Ng0ai22yftFcuC6vaMLpNISuBAOG6~pFvAmi9nI1ywc9sUgXdSsTC3jMGS9Stb3iDdfJmhQcUM9dh7JvRAqcy96Ns7Kg2zYsi~iZu3UnRlTGDKaOcpuORxuQtpfK1njWUwprOvukaLcqB6RD9g9iakSEgWNXJru6BA0oX3vaHogx~A8lJMr8LTLFm0RnYd-va44dCu-s-yOyzEoUC0guMi46g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members at the April 7 Gardner City Council on Aging meeting discussed a donation of two commercial-grade pool tables and framed veterans' memorabilia from a local veterans group, and reviewed preliminary capital funding for improvements at the Waterford Street School site.

A staff presenter said the veterans group offered two pool tables and that the donor was willing to keep the tables at the donor's site until summer, which would align with the center's planned move. Staff asked the board to consider recommending acceptance of the donation and to allow display of framed flags and regalia in the new center. \"Part of the donation are 2 pool tables. . . I told them to take them, but I obviously wanted to run by the board first,\" the presenter said.

Staff provided a cost estimate for moving and refurbishing the tables, roughly $1,800 per table from the vendors consulted, and noted there are already three comparable tables at the current location. The presenter said one of the existing tables likely will not be reusable for the move; the plan under discussion would leave the center with four usable tables after the transition.

The board also heard that the city has advanced planning and a potential capital allocation for site improvements: staff said the city has identified funds and \"it looks like about a million dollars could be coming to the center improvements\" at the Waterford Street School, though the formal process and final numbers are still pending. Staff said some exterior work (new front doors, new electrical) is already in progress and that formal site visits and walk-throughs remain premature while construction continues.

Board members discussed curating the veterans' items in a tasteful manner and possibly rotating displays seasonally. Staff noted community partners have offered other amenities (outdoor pavilion, portable pickleball mats) but said those projects are premature until the facility move is further along.

The item was discussed; the transcript records no formal motion to accept the donation at this meeting but staff asked for the board's input and indicated a formal recommendation could be placed on a future agenda.","Board discussed a donation of two commercial pool tables and framed veterans' regalia for the new center, estimated moving costs for tables, and staff said the city may allocate about $1 million toward center improvements at the Waterford Street School site.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6083866,"Gardner City senior center reports about 16,000 volunteer hours; staff calls for better sign-in capture",426,1612000,2038000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2926231-7d0d275a38332c8f2798c46188f391d5&start=1612&end=2038","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2926231-7d0d275a38332c8f2798c46188f391d5/thumbnail_1612000.jpg","/articles/6083866/Gardner-City/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Gardner-City-senior-center-reports-about-16000-volunteer-hours-staff-calls-for-better-sign-in-capture","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083866-a8f935f737e992bf4aff2720bff14227/orig.mp4?Expires=1775489231&Signature=ZUoycXiLAI2USSgfzjNfTjkiCwVn~4T7a-QdonEe1nJZAVwLI~od9xxaaD7kOV3B4FCj7dhq4YDuqw24JaDts5RfIzP0262jfzZQeO5C8Qcvq3WR5TY57DPzF7YcHJJCsJQ6uoihXIH1nkaUfth-BdwJB9GIJ0NaEn7s931rGEXwDT5SQLhwMTbnbMZ94E7lsnHqbR-o5lPQtEyl2HF~tphDYJIRILWhIiEsovj7FqBc792Veoh5gFeDImBQTweQDGy-DlNa0GEa492z6fEcNT9uckUqM7O2F-Mt~jtWgYOaLVPapniSGfx9dgLeb2ARR7YE8ac81LqrQeR4wHvGOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A staff presenter at the Gardner City Council on Aging board's April 7 meeting said the center likely undercounts volunteer activity and that the Executive Office of Aging and Independence report does not capture many community contributions.

The presenter (Staff member) said an internal review found about 16,000 volunteer hours connected to the senior center that are not fully captured in the EOAI reporting software because many volunteers are not recorded through sign-ins or swipe systems. \"We did about 16000 hours of volunteer work here. That's an enormous amount,\" the presenter said, adding the conservative valuation used in reporting understates the real monetary value of volunteer time.

Staff told the board the center currently uses a sign-in system but that evening and offsite volunteers (for example, meal-prep volunteers associated with community groups) often do not sign in at the center. The presenter asked board members and volunteers to increase use of the sign-in process: \"If you didn't do it on the way in, please do it on the way out.\"

The presenter also summarized outreach and marketing steps tied to the technology grant: the center has produced 3,000 Medicare informational cards aimed at people approaching Medicare eligibility (about age 63) and is distributing materials to major local employers to reach residents earlier in the retirement-planning process. Staff said the center is also developing housing, nutrition, financial and legal counseling materials to follow the Medicare outreach.

The board heard metrics from the center's online profiles showing increased mobile access: staff said about 60% of Google Business Profile clicks now come from mobile devices, a change attributable in part to recent technology upgrades. The presenter said programming participation has increased in recent weeks and that the center will continue marketing to broaden participation across age groups of current and future seniors.

The board discussed the need to better capture volunteer hours so that grant and impact reporting to EOAI accurately reflects service levels and outside support from volunteer groups such as the Lions Club and local veterans organizations.","Staff told the Council on Aging board the Executive Office of Aging and Independence (EOAI) report undercounts local volunteer contributions and urged improved sign-in practices; the center also plans targeted Medicare outreach materials for younger seniors.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6083871,"Gardner City COA flags utility, overtime shortfalls and approves tech grant equipment spending",409,69000,478000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2926231-7d0d275a38332c8f2798c46188f391d5&start=69&end=478","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2926231-7d0d275a38332c8f2798c46188f391d5/thumbnail_69000.jpg","/articles/6083871/Gardner-City/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Gardner-City-COA-flags-utility-overtime-shortfalls-and-approves-tech-grant-equipment-spending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083871-0a4ee9715a6bcb3d22fda838716a52c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775489231&Signature=ScFdIO5GuSTFAzP8igI7OP2osoqyqssf4Ty9cMPWdH4oLmmuCBU8WNWyT4n3a7TNdtLjTEh1RcDJovwf02ENsUyeJERtTqvv1s05u0PCtnHDCU6oIKaulGSH7dLsBgh5Dz6HFQ0savY~662X9lM6ZEpRAUtpgtziaWGIqfr16qmxHMyfe5l9ljR6COlyZvBAo66RjplRHhf0Y3~sa1bQbf91cceW7QPA9mLtlwzuIlT9PHIK9KttblW7GLV5s8-ehPy1LzaKbAsWJJAUS1R-0Lp3FvoMQpgF5X59LZGMASC-3s0tQldKIYYk8dw55nK4maFT282hE0Oe2w~RuFGBOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gardner City Council on Aging board accepted minutes and the treasurer's report at its April 7 meeting, and heard that overtime and energy costs have pushed the senior center over budget for the fiscal year.

The board's treasurer, Terry (Treasurer), told members the center's overtime line is over budget but said she expects to cover the shortfall through year-end payroll adjustments and internal line-item transfers. \"Overtime is ... over the budget but that will be rectified by the EFT for the end of the fiscal year,\" Terry said. She warned that rising energy and utilities costs — the single largest unexpected expense this month, about $4,000 — could force the board to seek an amended or supplemental budget if projections do not improve.

The treasurer's report also included program and grant accounting details: a $200 donation increased the gift fund balance (reported as about $90,008.46), the revolving fund spent about $3,009.96 in March, and a $2,400 allocation from a grant paid stipends to facilitators of support groups. Terry said the center received an Amazon refund (about $152.64) that was reclassified in accounting rather than netted against the prior month's expense. She also noted a projected small return of unspent tech-grant funds: \"There is not a lot to report on that. . . all of our expenses have been incurred, with the exception of $1,471,\" she said, adding that the center will return that balance to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts per grant terms.

On technology spending, board members were given specifics about purchases and reclassifications under a multi-part technology grant. The center has bought Chromebooks (with internet service), a Meetboard (an interactive screen), owl cameras for improved audio/video, mobile production cards and additional laptops and wireless access upgrades. The board was told Zoom licenses were purchased for each facility and for the Meetboard units; two licenses per facility were bought to allow larger meetings, and an additional license was required for the Meetboard itself. Because the grant term required expenditures by the end of the grant period, staff reallocated money from planned tech-trainer stipends and intern lines into equipment purchases after the trainers could not be hired before the grant deadline.

Staff said the first draft of the final grant report is complete and the center will submit the final report by April 30; the center's presenter said the grant period ends at the end of May (reported as \"5.30\"). The board was told the equipment is being installed and tested and that the new hardware will expand remote programming and meeting production capabilities.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to accept minutes of Feb. 11, 2025: moved and seconded; approved by voice vote.
- Motion to accept minutes of March 3, 2025: moved and seconded; approved by voice vote.
- Motion to accept the treasurer's report and finance actions described: moved and seconded; approved by voice vote.
- Motion to adjourn: moved and seconded; approved by voice vote.

The treasurer emphasized there is limited flexibility in some overhead lines and that if utilities continue at current rates the board could need to ask the city for an amended budget or supplemental appropriation. She recommended staff will prioritize internal transfers that are allowable (salary-to-salary and administrative-to-administrative transfers) before seeking outside adjustments.","At its April 7 meeting the Gardner City Council on Aging board accepted minutes, approved the treasurer's report and reviewed budget strains from overtime and rising utility costs while finalizing purchases and reclassifications under a technology grant.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council on Aging members briefed on mayoral appointments, city council confirmation and recent charter change

Veterans group offers pool tables and memorabilia as Gardner senior center plans move; city may provide $1M for improvements

Gardner City senior center reports about 16,000 volunteer hours; staff calls for better sign-in capture

Gardner City COA flags utility, overtime shortfalls and approves tech grant equipment spending