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Chicopee Council on Aging reports new program van in service, budget on target and three staff vacancies
Summary
At its Jan. 14 meeting the City of Chicopee Council on Aging heard a director's report that a new program van is already in service and that a MassDOT van is due in June, reviewed grants and revenue numbers, and noted three staffing vacancies; the board approved minutes and unanimously approved the December fiscal report.
The City of Chicopee Council on Aging met Jan. 14 and received updates on transportation, programming and finances, approving meeting minutes and the month’s fiscal report before adjourning.
Staff member Sherry Manyak reported that the center’s new 2:00 p.m. event time “went very well” and that several upcoming events remain on the calendar: a Lunar New Year dinner (tickets still available), a Valentine’s Day dance and a comedy show booked through an MCOA recommendation. Gift cards are now available for center purchases; nine have been sold so far.
On transportation, Manyak said a new program van has already gone into service with one City of Chicopee emblem visible; she is working to add RiverMills identification to better link the vehicle to the center. She also noted that a separate van provided through MassDOT is expected to be delivered in June and that Community Transit grant funding will support that vehicle.
The café and meal program showed improved results in December: the café reported a profit of $1,790 and the meal program a profit of $691, with 702 meal tickets sold and 2,696 meals served. Election day sales sold out early, staff said.
On finances, Manyak told members the December fiscal report shows the overall budget is on target. The center was under budget for the wellness nurse and the program assistant lines because those positions were vacant. Manyak moved to pay staff overtime for added hours rather than offer comp time, citing staffing challenges; the transcript does not record a formal vote on that motion. The board unanimously approved the December fiscal report.
Grant activity includes a CDBG application being developed to support the exercise program (staff said the center subsidized roughly $10,000 beyond last year’s grant funding), ongoing MCOA grant funds for memory-connections programming and restroom accessibility upgrades, a Senior Planet (OAT) grant to update technology and purchase AI goggles for classes, and Country Bank funding for the holiday party.
Members were also informed of planned facility repairs including stair molding replacement, carpet repairs and HVAC installation. Staff noted three current vacancies: a full‑time driver (position not posted since Dec. 17), a part‑time dishwasher and a nurse position transitioning to full time.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m. The next Council on Aging meeting is scheduled for Feb. 11, 2025, at 4:45 p.m.
