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COA seeks modest FY27 increases as SNAP outreach funding is cut 25%
Summary
The Town of Hampden Council on Aging presented a largely level FY27 budget with modest COLA-driven salary increases and small utility and staffing-hour increases; presenters said a 25% cut to DTA SNAP outreach funding will reduce personal-needs bag distributions unless the town or donors fill gaps.
Becky (COA presenter) told the Select Board on Feb. 25 that the Council on Aging’s proposed FY27 budget is largely level, with pay adjustments driven by cost-of-living increases and modest added hours to reflect work already performed. “I did add an hour and a half to the director line, as well as 2 hours to the receptionist line,” Becky said, characterizing those as compensation for hours being worked rather than added responsibilities.
The COA asked the board for a $1,000 increase to its utilities line, citing unusually high gas bills during cold weather, and said building-maintenance spending could be reduced because generator maintenance will be handled by Herb Foley. Becky also noted the loss of a federal grant: “the funding that we received through, being the DTA outreach partners for doing SNAP applications has been reduced by 25%,” she said, adding the reduction primarily affects the COA’s ability to assemble and distribute personal-needs bags (toiletries and items SNAP does not cover) rather than core program operations.
Select Board members praised staff for tracking hours and urged the COA to pursue donations and other local supports to offset the SNAP-related cut; Becky said she asked staff to place a collection box at town hall for donated toiletries. Board members also asked for updated figures ahead of advisory and town-meeting schedules; staff will return with finalized warrant-article numbers and any needed adjustments.
The board’s next procedural step is for departments to firm up budget figures before the joint advisory meeting and the Select Board’s town-meeting deliberations.
