HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA 01/25/2025Minutes of the COA Board Meeting
January 21, 2025
Present: Paula Devine Chair, Neal Boldrighini Vice Chair, Dick Kelsay, Mary
Hourigan Secretary, Pat Comperchio-Treasurer, Josephine Madrazo, Director,
and Wendy Adams, Asst. Director
Guests: Sara Raposa, Town Planner, and Addison Hardt, UMass Amherst
Residents: Mike Healey and Marie Grygienc
Absent: Lee Ann Cerretani
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The meeting was called to order by Board Chair Paula Devine at po
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Minutes from past meeting:
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Dick made a motion to accept the November minutes and Neal seconded. The
report was accepted by unanimous vote.
Treasurer's Report:
Pat submitted the treasury report. The board reviewed the report and Paula
made a motion to accept the report and seconded by Dick. The report was
accepted by unanimous vote.
Sara Raposa, Mansfield Town Planner, and Addison Hardt, an intern from UMass
Amherst, joined the Board meeting to discuss the Age Friendly Initiative. This is a
5 year commitment looking at ways to improve the community making it a great
place to live for people of all ages and abilities. Please see the attached flyer for
more details on the process.
Addison Hardt conducted a survey of the COA Board members and shared the
results with us. We had a discussion about the 3 most common concerns:
transportation, funding and space.
Director's Report
• Working on the Code of Conduct —will schedule a separate meeting to
refine the current document then will send it to TM office for approval.
New Business
• COA Newsletter
o We have been collaborating with the Friends of the COA to address
rising postage costs for the newsletter. Kelly has implemented
systems to cross-reference the mailing list with data on residents
moving out of town, deceased individuals, and frequent COA users
who may prefer to pick up newsletters. These efforts aim to reduce
waste and save costs.
o In the next newsletter, we'll refresh data in MySeniorCenter to
gather updated information, including dates of birth, current
addresses, emergency contacts, VA status, and preferences for
electronic newsletters. This initiative will enhance communication,
streamline registrations, support online payments, and improve
safety measures.
o In February, the Friends will vote on whether to continue funding
the newsletter. This decision highlights the importance of ensuring
the newsletter's cost-effectiveness and relevance moving forward.
• Mural discussion to create a new one that incorporates the Mansfield 250
celebration- Josephine will email Derrick Harding, the Art Director at the
High School.
• Mansfield bus tours or other ideas to offer during the celebration
year. Neal is willing to do the bus tour once a month during the 250t" if we
can get a bus to use. Neal will talk with Kevin McNatt and Andy Tedesco.
• Veteran memorial update. Neal is ordering a plaque for Memorial Day in
addition to the Field of Honor. Also working on a location for another
Veteran from WWII -Clifford Sherman AKA "Flying Ace".
• Mike Healey discussed a new idea to increase the number of seniors
benefitting from the Food Pantry.
Neal made a motion to adjourn at 5:37.
Next meeting is Tuesday February 18tn