Hubbardston — The Town of Hubbardston senior-center meeting on Dec. 17 covered routine programming, volunteer coordination and practical facility issues as staff and volunteers prepared for winter operations.

Events and programs: Attendees recapped recent activities — a well-attended Thanksgiving dinner, a Christmas concert and an upcoming Christmas party — and scheduled preparations and volunteer shifts for holiday and January programming. S2 noted a shortage of chairs for the concert and plans to bring 50 chairs from the meeting house.

Meal delivery and emergency meals: Participants discussed the meal-delivery schedule and emergency 'mock' meals, with S1 urging volunteers to check with Mark when schools are canceled. The group recounted a past problem where extra emergency meals were discarded and said they had repaired relations with the meal provider and now store extras in the Friends group's freezer for use by delivery staff.

Donations and outreach: S2 and S3 described recent donations of dry pet food and canned goods and agreed on better outreach strategies — such as putting notices on the senior-center bulletin board and sending email alerts — so residents know what supplies are available. S5 suggested volunteers verbally inform visitors when donations arrive.

Facilities and volunteers: Attendees reviewed facility upkeep tasks (icicle and gutter issues, wiring for roof-heat elements, replacing a partially functioning tree topper) and noted planned electrician and wiring work; S5 said she would call contractors and, if a job exceeded $10,000, obtain three bids. Volunteers also requested clearer signage for the volunteer office and director's office and suggested using a newsletter and calendars near the phones so staff answering calls have event information.

Heating policy: Building-use guidance reiterated that staff should not change mini-split settings and that thermostats were to be left at 70; participants discussed dressing warmly and bringing extra layers to manage heating costs.

What’s next: Volunteers set an additional meeting in January (proposed dates discussed) to review volunteer instructions and finalize outreach materials; no formal board action resulted from these operational items.