Mattapoisett Council on Aging — April 1, 2026

The Mattapoisett Council on Aging Board met on April 1, 2026, to review department budgets, director and outreach updates, and upcoming spring and summer programming. Director Sarah Landry presented the fiscal year 2026 budget recap, reporting that through the first nine months of the fiscal year the council had expended 64% of its municipal budget. Landry noted that the formula grant, calculated at $16 per older adult for roughly 3,000 residents, began with a $12,000 rollover and $39,584 in total allocations, maintaining a current balance of $37,216 to support fitness instructors, software, staff training, and licensing. Landry also praised the Friends of the Mattapoisett Council on Aging, which provided $5,800 in calendar year 2025 and is projected to provide approximately $9,075 in 2026 for programming and meal subsidies.

Outreach Coordinator Elizabeth Leatham outlined several ongoing projects, including the rebranded 'Imagine If' end-of-life planning binder sessions in partnership with the Mattapoisett Free Public Library and an updated format for weekly COA Chat sessions featuring resident guest speakers. Landry discussed long-term goals for establishing evening operating hours to accommodate working seniors and adult children caregivers. Following feedback from the Select Board encouraging the council to seek additional town funding, Landry consulted board members regarding adding a dedicated municipal budget line item to fund monthly congregate or catered meals for residents, which the board strongly supported. Additionally, Landry highlighted two $500 community grants and an AED device donation valued at $3,700 from Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz's office.

Under unanticipated business, Landry discussed reconfiguring the council's shopping transportation service due to declining enrollment and the need to free up drivers for high-priority medical appointments. The proposed schedule change would alternate Market Basket trips with a shopping loop to Wareham retail locations, such as Walmart and Aldi, rather than Fairhaven. The board voiced support for a summer trial period. Routine motions to approve the secretary's report, financial recap, director's report, and outreach report were all passed unanimously before the meeting was adjourned at 9:36 AM.

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