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Council on Aging advisory board reviews $12,844.17 shortfall, hears program and grant updates
Summary
At its June 9 meeting the Westport Council on Aging advisory board heard a treasurer's report showing a $12,844.17 negative balance, discussed possible transfers and reconciliation with town accounting, and learned the COA won an AARP outreach grant for safety repairs while other grant applications were unsuccessful.
Muriel, the board treasurer, told the Council on Aging advisory board on June 9 that "the financial report shows the town our county budget has a negative balance of $12,844.17." She said she submitted an end-of-year budget transfer request for $33.40 and had contacted Nicole to review whether there is enough money to cover wages through June 30.
Board members probed why supportive day and transportation funds are low. Muriel and staff noted several contributing factors, including mail/postage not charged to Social Day in some months and higher expenses. Members discussed reconciling the COA's Excel-based spreadsheets with the town accountant's official ledgers; Mr. Brewer urged that the town accountant's reports represent the "true financial picture," while staff said they compare figures with town accounting staff each month.
Beverly, the COA director, said some supportive day participants have reduced attendance since a difficult winter and staff shortages have limited transportation. She described operational steps the COA has taken, including asking families and caregivers to help with rides temporarily and hiring a new driver, Joel, with a return of another driver expected July 1. On vehicle replacement, Beverly said a new van is "supposed to be delivered sometime" this summer; delivery timing could range from June to August depending on the vendor.
On grants, Beverly said the COA was not awarded a $200,000 Mass Cultural Council grant and one AARP Community Challenge application (emergency management category, $15,000) was unsuccessful. She said the COA was awarded a separate AARP outreach grant to fund safety-focused home repairs—"stairs, railing, screens, windows, doors"—with a maximum benefit of $2,000 per project, and that the COA is now an e-registered vendor with AARP.
After discussion the board voted to accept the treasurer's report; the chair announced acceptance was unanimous. Members asked for clearer trend reporting rather than line-by-line minutiae, and staff agreed to provide materials in advance and to follow up with Nicole and Joanne at the town accounting office to reconcile outstanding items.
The board emphasized the COA's mixed funding sources—town support, grants, donations and fees—and agreed that staff should continue reconciling monthly figures with the town accountant and bring trend summaries to future meetings so the advisory board can monitor risks and identify where to provide support.
Next steps: staff will follow up with the town accountant on the transfer request and provide updated, digestible trend reports before the next meeting. The board accepted the treasurer's report by motion and voice vote.
