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Senior center board raises alarm over budget cuts and uncertain formula grant funds
Summary
At a Town of Hubbardston senior center meeting, board members said a partial reconciliation and delayed audit have left account balances unclear and raised concern that recent budget cuts reduced the director’s stipend; the board accepted its business items and asked staff to confirm formula‑grant availability before allocating funds.
The Town of Hubbardston senior center board reviewed incomplete financial reconciliations and expressed concern about recent budget cuts that touched the center’s modest operating funds.
The meeting heard a treasurer’s report showing small remaining balances: the supplies account was reported at about $8,401, the services account about $149.94, the gift account about $10,959.62 and an art grant of about $1,519.94. Members also discussed a formula grant balance reported in the meeting (transcript figures were unclear) and said they need an official reconciliation from the town’s accounting firm before making spending decisions.
Board members told the meeting the town’s auditor is currently completing an audit only for FY25, not FY26, leaving the center a year behind on formal audit coverage. A volunteer familiar with the books has agreed to help with reconciliation through December, and board members said they will request formal account reports from the town accountant or the accounting firm that services the senior center.
Why it matters: the senior center relies on a mix of small town allocations, grant funding and volunteer support for programming and supplies. Members said they do not want reductions to fall disproportionately on core services for seniors and raised the specific concern that the center director’s stipend had been cut in the recent town budget.
Board action and next steps: the board moved to accept the business reports and related items and approved the motion by voice vote. Members instructed staff and volunteers to: assemble receipts and outstanding bills to spend modest remaining supply funds before any state roll‑over deadlines; seek a formal reconciliation from the accountant or Beta (the accounting firm referenced in the meeting); and confirm whether the state’s formula grant will roll over or be reclaimed if not spent by a deadline.
What officials said: meeting participants repeatedly emphasized the need for accurate numbers before committing funds. One board member noted the town used to roll formula‑grant balances forward and urged confirmation of that practice with the state. The meeting also named a volunteer (described in the meeting as "Claudia’s daughter") who is helping with reconciliation work through December.
Community context: board members said the town’s senior population has grown and that the senior center serves as an important gathering place and hub for services. Several members said they would prefer to use available grant funds to support volunteers and the director in recognition of sustained volunteer work, but they agreed not to allocate stipends until account balances and grant rules are verified.
Remaining unknowns and clarifications: the precise formula‑grant balance reported in the meeting is unclear in the transcript; the article reports the account balances presented in the meeting and notes that the board requested a formal reconciliation from the accounting firm and the town.
The board set follow‑up tasks and will revisit allocations once the reconciliation and audit materials are available. The meeting adjourned after scheduling the next regular meeting.
