Gardner senior center accepts financial report; details technology grant, Chromebooks and FY2026 budget requests

The Gardner Senior Center Council on Aging board accepted the center's financial report and discussed a recently awarded technology grant, proposed FY2026 budget increases and program updates at a regularly scheduled meeting.

Board members voted to accept the financial report after a staff presentation showing the center's current account balances and recent spending. According to the figures presented, the general fund budget is $217,000, of which about $99,000 has been spent, leaving roughly $118,000 available for operating expenses. The gift fund began the period with about $79,250, received additional income during December and had a reported balance of $87,240.74. The revolving fund balance was reported at about $45,859.96, with $511.25 reserved for trips and excursions.

The meeting also included an extended explanation of a technology grant and related purchases. Staff described a portable audiovisual (AV) cart the center purchased to allow multi-camera, remotely controlled capture of classes and events and direct integration with Zoom so homebound participants can join activities in real time. As described at the meeting, the technology grant totaled about $83,000 and roughly half of the grant-funded equipment and expenses were purchased for a partner organization, Templeton; the board said Gardner's net share of equipment purchased under the grant was roughly $41,800. Staff reported the center bought two sets of the primary equipment so both partners could use them.

The board also reported the center has received 20 Chromebooks. Ten will be held in a lending library at the Gardner Senior Center and 10 will be managed by Templeton under the grant terms. Staff said Chromebooks are intended principally to give seniors basic internet access for Zoom and other web-based services rather than as full-featured computers for advanced word-processing.

Board members reviewed procurement and schedule issues related to the technology rollout. Staff said some components were delayed by vendor backorders, which pushed the rollout past an initial January target; staff now expect broader availability and programming around February 1. Staff named community partners involved in testing and advising on the equipment, including a local community college contact and a production partner, and said the partners had taken copies of the equipment documentation to adapt the setup in other settings.

On budget matters, staff described the FY2026 budget process and proposed requests to the city. Staff said the board will ask the mayor and city council for increases including a proposed director salary raise (no dollar amount specified), 3% across-the-board staff raises, an expansion of the clothing allowance for personnel who work outdoors, additional overtime funds to cover expanded nighttime programming, and an increase to the center's information-technology line. Staff reported the center's actual internet and cable costs are currently about $33,100 per year while the existing budget for that line is $3,000, and so they requested a larger infotech allocation in next year's budget.

Program updates and volunteer recruitment were also a substantial part of the meeting. Staff reported a strong holiday volunteer effort (including Thanksgiving and Christmas meal programs) that produced roughly 380 Christmas meals and said many local civic groups contributed food, labor and funding, naming the Lions Club, Rotary Club, Alps Club and local restaurants among contributors. Staff described expanded programming coming in early 2025: Tai Chi sessions, a ukulele group, a lap drum program, expanded art classes, an ongoing tax-assistance program (Tax-Aide) expected to prepare roughly 100'120 returns locally, and a year-long schedule of day and overnight trips.

Staff asked board members to encourage sign-ins at events, explaining that accurate sign-in records improve service planning, safety (knowing who is present in case of closures or emergencies) and the center's ability to document volunteer hours and participation for funding and reporting purposes.

Board action: a motion to accept the financial report was made and seconded and carried by voice vote. The meeting concluded with routine business and a motion to adjourn, which similarly carried.

The board set the next meeting date for February 10 (the start time was discussed in the meeting).