Chicopee Council on Aging approves May fiscal report; spending freeze noted and formula grant increase expected

The Council on Aging unanimously approved the May fiscal report at its June 10 meeting after staff circulated the month's financials.

Sherry Manyak, the staff presenter, told the board that salaries are on target and a surplus is expected because several positions remain open. Catering funds were used to pre-purchase food before the fiscal year ended; an unexpected sewer fee required a transfer of funds. Manyak also reported the center is under a spending freeze for city funding.

The minutes record that the formula grant will be calculated at $15 per older adult, an increase of $1 per person, which the minutes say will lead to a significant increase in grant funding. The minutes do not provide the total grant amount or the effective date for that change.

The meeting also recorded scheduling steps for municipal budgeting: the City Council is due to approve the city budget on June 26, 2025; the center scheduled a budget approval meeting on June 27 at 1:00 p.m. so it can receive the approved budget before July 1. Board member Karen Rousseau indicated she is unable to attend the June 27 meeting but will provide a proxy vote.

Financial details recorded in other agenda items: the dining room reported a loss of $1,300.57 for the period, and the Cafe9 reported a May profit of $2,131.99. A new water and ice machine requires repair and work-order responses have been slow. The minutes do not record a vote or motion related to allocating additional local funds in response to the reported loss.