Natick COA Safety Workgroup sets March financial-safety session, will forward strategic objectives

The Town of Natick Council on Aging Safety Workgroup scheduled a Financial Safety series for seniors with the first session set for Thursday, March 5 at 2 p.m., and finalized a shortened set of strategic objectives to send to the Strategic Planning Committee.

James Fitzgerald, identified in the meeting minutes as a COA Safety Workgroup member, opened the Feb. 26 meeting and listed attendees including Laura Forker and Mal Sockol. The workgroup agreed the financial-safety series should include practical guidance on “what to do after being the victim of a scam,” and discussed tactics to expand reach to seniors across town.

Members planned to coordinate outreach with the Natick Police Department, which is scheduled to present at the March 9 Council on Aging Board meeting. The workgroup said it will reserve time for questions after that presentation to explore ways to spread fraud-prevention messaging and to identify other collaborative safety topics.

The group reviewed draft strategic objectives and trimmed them to a shorter set that will be forwarded to the Strategic Planning Committee; meeting minutes state the key point to report at the March 9 COA Board meeting is the submission of those strategic objectives. The minutes do not record a formal vote, motions, or a named mover/second for that submission.

Workgroup members also identified priority topics for future sessions, including senior driving safety and home/auto break-in avoidance, and recommended expanding outreach at both public libraries and Town Hall. They suggested incorporating hands-on safety activities, such as supervised practice using a fire extinguisher, so participants can gain practical experience.

The Safety Workgroup set its next meeting to take place via Zoom on the Friday before the COA Board meeting on April 13, 2026; the meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m.