Groveland Council on Aging re-elects officers, clarifies refund policy and readies June 20 symposium

On June 17, 2026, the Groveland Council on Aging Board of Directors voted to approve a full slate of officers and reviewed a range of program and administrative items, including a clarification to the cancellation/refund policy for medical emergencies and plans for an engagement symposium on June 20.

Director Alyssa Lee led the board through her monthly report, saying that in May the Council recorded “about 1,500 interactions across all service areas,” including “15 new participants, 120 pantry visits, 180 van rides and 255 people in person for programming.” She also proposed adding a sentence to the cancellation policy to address medical emergencies: “in case of an unforeseen medical emergency or similarly serious circumstances, CoA may review the situation, offer a refund or credit when appropriate.” The board agreed the change would make handling such cases more consistent and transparent.

The board unanimously approved the meeting minutes from May 20 and then approved a single slate of officers proposed by the nominating committee: Sharon Haines as chair, Barbara Sanborn as vice chair, Deb Stevenson as treasurer and Irene Thomas as secretary. The slate was approved by voice vote.

Board members discussed staffing and program delivery issues, including whether the proposed program coordinator position (16 hours per week) should be revised to add responsibilities or different hours to increase role meaning or to improve coverage. Director Lee said hiring is not imminent but welcomed suggestions for the job description and scheduling options.

Members also reviewed upcoming programming: the engagement celebration symposium scheduled for Saturday, June 20 (doors 9:30 a.m., program at 10 a.m.), with roughly 80 registrants reported and printed copies of keynote Dr. Van Zyl’s book available for attendees. Lee also reported that cognitive stimulation therapy (a dementia-support program) is running in Topsfield and that Groveland sessions will begin in August at VC Park, with information sessions July 2 and July 9.

Larry Michelini, president of the Friends of the Groveland Council on Aging, briefed the board on fundraising: a successful May yard sale, a summer coin drive (a donor has offered a matching multiplier), and plans for a November calendar raffle. He confirmed the Friends will staff a donation table at the upcoming symposium.

On personnel matters, the board set a timeline for the director evaluation cycle covering July 2025–June 2026 and asked members to submit their evaluation forms by June 30 so the personnel committee can consolidate results. The chair will meet with the director to review compiled feedback and finalize SMART goals for the coming year.

Other items included updates on Neighbor’s Table market policy (allowing residents to use both CoA and ONT markets within the same week under certain limits), logistics for shuttle/golf-cart service at the symposium, and a request that board members confirm contact information for a town clerk update following the June 22 swearing-in of board members.

The board adjourned after the business concluded; the next regular meeting is scheduled for July 18, 2026.