Scituate Senior Center Director Linda Hayes reported a record-breaking month during the October 9th Council on Aging meeting, noting that 90 new individuals registered for services in September. Despite this surge in membership, the center is preparing for a potentially leaner fiscal year. I did complete the requested level-funded more or less budget for the town administrator with an identified 5% cut which currently for the proposed $422,000 budget was $21,000, Hayes stated. Assistant Director Charlie Walsh highlighted the necessity of recent equipment upgrades to handle the center's growth. Basically everybody uses the one copy printer... it was just time to buy a new one, Walsh noted. Vice Chair Susan Beverage Kelly opened the session by confirming the administrative roles, stating, I would like to call the meeting to order and just confirming that you're going to be the recording secretary.

The board addressed several procedural items, including a review of past attendance. Motion Made by Susan Pope to "accept the August meeting minutes." Vote Passed 11-0. Board member Leslie James assisted with the record, noting, I was present... and D [Dra Dwyer] was not. Susan Pope also clarified her own status for the record, stating, In August I was present. As the board discussed the delay in posting records, Lauren Brady asked, How do the muted minutes get edited? while Hannah Morris, Bethany, and Ann participated in the quorum. Kenzie Vanderbrook, representing Social Elder Services, updated the board on federal and state coordination efforts. I will let you know if there's anything that will affect us as soon as I'm here, Vanderbrook promised.

Assistant Director Kelly announced the successful acquisition of a $20,000 grant to launch a "Memory Cafe" for residents living with dementia and their caregivers. Working across these departments has given me valuable perspective on the participants' needs, Kelly said, noting that her current focus is enhancing volunteer engagement. Transportation Coordinator Lauren Manuel reported a busy month with 423 rides provided. Manuel highlighted the addition of a new volunteer companion for the vans. I did get a volunteer who just happens to be my mother... she retired and she used to be a nurse and she absolutely loves it, Manuel shared. The department is also planning a high-interest trip to the Miner property on November 1st, a location Hayes described as a place nobody really usually gets to go to.

A guest speaker from the Select Board provided a legislative update, noting that the November 3rd Town Meeting will feature several "housekeeping" items and CPC projects. To me the big thing is $120,000 for the water to study the water for what they're calling desalinization, the liaison shared. The meeting concluded with a warning from Elaine Schembari regarding high demand for SHINE insurance counseling following Blue Cross cancelling certain Medicare Advantage plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield has a phenomenal database of providers... they cancelled that program as of last week, Schembari explained. To help offset center costs, the Friends of Scituate Senior Center (BOSS) will host a Holiday Fair on November 15th. Schembari promised a festive event, noting, Santa and Mrs. Claus are going to be here.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:47 PM.