2022-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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as well as other essential needs such as the grocery The Council on Aging wishes to thank the store, pharmacy, bank, etc. The COA continues to Town Manager and Assistant Town Manager, and all address the transportation problem facing many of our the other Town departments which provide support senior residents. and assistance to the Council on Aging department, Recruitment for volunteers continued to be a the Mashpee Senior Center, and the Mashpee senior top priority throughout 2022. Volunteers play a vital community. role in the Council on Aging's operation.The Council on Aging's Volunteer Coordinator focused efforts on Respectfully submitted, calling pre-pandemic volunteers to identify their level David Egel- Chair of comfort and interest in continuing to volunteer.Many Colleen Meehan seniors chose not to return for different reasons. The Merrill Blum Volunteer Coordinator informed returning and any Rachel Hodgman new volunteers about opportunities at the Council on Michael Murphy Aging and other local organizations such as: Cape Sherry Norman Cod Medical Reserve Corps, Elder Services of Cape Heidi McLaughlin,Director Cod and the Islands meals on wheels program,and the Friends of the Mashpee Council on Aging Thrift Shop. The Mashpee Council on Aging would like to Report of the thank the Friends of the Mashpee Council on Aging thrift shop;we are so grateful for the efforts,dedication, Economic DevelOpement and and the support of the Friends' leaders Eleana Janik Industrial Corporation and Beatrice Apfel,and of all their volunteers. One significant accomplishment in 2022 was the implementation of MySeniorCenter, a powerful To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of too] to ensure the Council on Aging meets an industry the Town of Mashpee: standard for software for senior centers across the In 2002, the Town of Mashpee received approval state. This new software program allows the Council to establish its Economic Development and Industrial on Aging to track participant attendance, event and Corporation (EDIC) through a special act of the activity registration; manage COA room scheduling, legislature (2002 Mass.Acts 376).This act outlines the transportation, phone call logs, outreach notes, as EDIC's makeup and responsibilities.The seven-member well as sending text, email and phone notifications board is appointed by the Mashpee Board of Selectmen to Mashpee seniors. This program has improved the and meets monthly (or as needed) at Town Hall. Council on Aging's efficiency and will continue to do so as staff continue to learn the programs'capabilities. MISSION For instance,prior to MySeniorCenter, the Council on "To advocate sound growth policy and to stimulate Aging would have had to make 85 reminder phone sustainable economic opportunities that will enhance calls for the Illusionist Show held in October;however, the quality of life within the Mashpee Community." the Council on Aging was able to send out a text,email Mashpee EDIC is preparing for the next evolution and robo phone call reminder to all registrants. of the Town's economic development efforts. The Council on Aging continues to use part-time, Our work for the upcoming year includes: grant-funded positions to support its daily operation; these positions are an essential part of the senior Working to address the staff shortage many centers success.As always, we'd like to acknowledge businesses are facing due to a lack of affordable our employees for their dedication, positive attitude, housing for prospective employees. and genuine care and concern for Mashpee's seniors. Reading the new comprehensive plan when it is We especially appreciate how they adapted to so released in order to better understand the town much change in the work environment and with and the issues we are facing. our operations. The staff continually work to make Bringing in speakers from a variety of adjustments and improvements to best meet the needs backgrounds to better understand different issues of our senior residents. and how they can affect businesses in town. 114