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.