COA Board Minutes 01-09-2024
Minutes
COA
Board Meeting
January 9, 2024
Attendees: Kay Joseph, Chair. Board Members: Ann Buckley, Ralph Hawley, Sue Lufkin, Susan Parady, Diane Polley, Curt Siebert, Mary Wilhelm
Absent: Nancy Frieden
Also in attendance; Tess Leary, Interim Director.
Meeting called to order: 6:10 pm.
A motion was made, seconded, and approved to accept the Minutes of the December 12th special meeting. 7 Yes, 1 Abstention.
A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved to accept the Town Accountant’s report with revisions expected to come.
A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved to accept the following amounts to The Gift Fund:
- $100 from Richard O’Leary of Essex.
- $100 from Robert Fielding of Essex.
A motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to conduct interviews on January 23rd at Town Hall for applicants already received to date for the Director’s position. A special meeting notice to be duly posted with the Agenda to include the meeting will go into Executive Session per Open Meeting Law provisions.
A motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved authorizing spending of COA funds to more widely advertise the Director’s position in the Gloucester Daily Times and the Manchester Cricket for two weeks until February 1st.
A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved to accept an updated COA logo design.
Tess Leary presented the FY 2025 Budget. After general discussion and questions a motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to send the FY 2025 budget to the Finance Committee with Tess presenting on behalf of the Board.
Tess Leary presented the Annual Report. After general discussion and questions a motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to send the Annual Report to the Town Administrator.
Thanks were expressed by the Board to the Chair and the Interim Director for their efforts in the preparation of the FY 2025 Budget and Annual Reports.
A motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to accept a choice of countertop material to be used in the closet repair project.
Liaison Reports were as follows:
Programs: Diane Polley reported a new bowling program is in the works. A monthly program aimed at social connection and capturing oral stories, called Essex Remembers is beginning this month and is expected to be widely attended.
Friends of COA: It was reported 59 individuals bought subsidized trash bag packages in January.
Meals, Social Media, and Graduation Gallery’ ’24: Sue Lufkin reported we are looking for suggestions for guest chef. Sue Parady reported155 meals were served. A slight reduction was attributed to the holidays and people being away. Graduation Gallery will be advertised beginning in March.
Essex Elementary School. The January after school intergenerational Games Program has completed the first weeks with 5-6 students in Week 1 and 10 students in Week 2. The program has generated great enthusiasm for all types of board and card games presented.
A motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 8:21 pm.
A True Record.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Buckley
Secretary