Mendon Council on Aging Advances AARP Digital Literacy Program, Reforms Meeting Procedures

Council on Aging · Meeting of July 3, 2026

Mendon Council on Aging advances AARP-funded digital literacy program and overhauled meeting procedures at its July 3 session. Co-Chair Peg Nogueira disclosed that the council's decades-long use of executive session for Senior Citizen of the Year selection violates Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, and announced the council will shift to a sub-quorum subcommittee model going forward. Volunteer coordinator Andy updated the board on an AARP-funded digital literacy program, grant funds received June 8, pilot classes targeting August or September, with formal sessions running October through December 15, all at no cost to participants, focused on helping seniors navigate health portals, government websites, and online services.

The board unanimously accepted Treasurer Carol Kotros's June report, which showed the food pantry account received $1,325 in combined donations including $400 from the Mendon Lions Club, against $1,479.34 in Market Basket expenses, with five percent of the municipal budget remaining as of July 1. The board also approved a $95.60 reimbursement to Director Amy Wilson Kent from the COA gift account for event expenses including a floral arrangement for honoree Justine Southwick Brewer, named Senior Citizen of the Year, who will be celebrated September 20 at the Unitarian Church.

In the full story:

• Background and stakes
• The question before the body
• Substantive content
• The deliberation
• Procedural steps and outcome
• Implications and what is next
• The complete report, 3,553 words

Source: the Council on Aging meeting of July 3, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.