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Residents and Council on Aging defend senior center director; Earth Day cleanup and fundraisers announced
Summary
Council on Aging members and residents publicly defended the senior center director from social media criticism, announced an Earth Day cleanup and a spaghetti dinner fundraiser, and discussed that the town undergoes regular third‑party audits.
During the public comment portion of the April 8 Board of Selectmen meeting, members of the Council on Aging and other residents spoke in defense of the senior center director and announced upcoming community events.
Judy Manning, chair of the Council on Aging, accompanied by board members Mary Rae Taina and Diane Hopkins, said the COA board supports the director and urged residents to bring concerns to the office rather than social media. “The COA board is an advisory board. We are not a board that tells her what she can and cannot do. That is the responsibility of the Board of Selectmen,” Manning said, adding that the director “is participating in online trainings by MCOA [Massachusetts Councils on Aging] … She loves her job and she really wants to help the seniors who come to the senior center.” The COA speakers said negative social‑media comments have been upsetting to staff, board members and friends of the COA.
Selectmen responded that the town is subject to annual third‑party audits and that finances are closely reviewed, noting auditors identify even small discrepancies. A selectman encouraged residents to contact town offices directly with questions to avoid open‑meeting and social‑media pitfalls.
Separately, Parks and Recreation announced an Earth Day cleanup to be held Saturday, April 26. Volunteers will meet at Hayden Lodge on School Street for an 8 a.m. pancake breakfast donated by Hannaford, followed by trash pickup; highway department trucks will be available to accept filled bags from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Friends of the North Brookfield Council on Aging also announced a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for April 26 at the senior center; tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under, and proceeds will support programming and meals.
Speakers urged residents to attend events and to volunteer for town committees; one resident reminded listeners that volunteers are in short supply and that negativity can discourage service.
No board action was taken during public comment beyond acknowledgment of the statements and announcements; the board accepted a copy of comments submitted for the minutes.
