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Wales Council on Aging hears budget pressures, transportation needs and meal feedback
Summary
The Wales Council on Aging discussed questionnaire findings on meal preferences and grocery transit, and COA Director Cheri reported increased van costs, staff reclassifications and the loss of an outreach grant affecting the director’s budget.
The Town of Wales Council on Aging on Feb. 9, 2026 reviewed recent questionnaire feedback on meals and transportation and heard a director’s report on budget pressures that affect services.
Questionnaires summarized by members flagged two primary concerns: respondents said they did not want “soup & sandwiches,” and that “meatloaf seemed to salty which might have been from gravy,” and many expressed a preference to schedule grocery shopping “1st of the month.” The minutes record these as the two major items raised in old business.
Cheri, COA Director, said weekly meal service includes “one lighter meal and one dinner,” and reiterated that medical appointments take priority for van scheduling. She said the van can pick up seniors for groceries "as long as there is that time available" and that the Worcester bus will run Tuesday, Thursday and Friday by prior reservation.
On operations and budget, Cheri told members she is finishing a report with updated budget numbers showing an increase in the van budget driven by higher gas prices and an uptick in medical trips to Worcester, Springfield, Palmer and Sturbridge. She also said the COA plans pay increases and a classification change for kitchen workers and noted an increase in the director’s budget because the grant that previously covered the Outreach Program was lost. The minutes do not specify dollar amounts for the budget changes or the grant loss.
Members agreed to return to Silver Meadows with the director and staff soon to introduce COA members and share updates about meals, transportation and available activities.
The council set its next meeting for Monday, March 23, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.
