Shrewsbury Council on Aging Adopts New Trip Sign-Up Rules to Boost Fairness

SHREWSBURY — June 10, 2026 — Shrewsbury Council on Aging overhauls special-trip reservations and closes FY26 with $138,224 formula grant nearly fully spent. Director Holly Lu told the Board of Directors at its June 10 meeting that the new policy limits seniors to one subsidized trip registration on the first of each month, with remaining slots opening three days before each departure — a response to roughly 25 people lining up outside the Senior Center before 8 a.m. on sign-up day. The department's $25,000 Massachusetts Council on Aging transportation grant was fully exhausted over eight months, and Lu said she has applied for three additional MCOA grants in nutrition, outreach, and transportation, with results expected in mid-July. A part-time food pantry coordinator, Thomas Anunciata, will begin June 15, and the Sensory Garden gift account holds $32,655.92 with construction work expected to begin by July. The board voted unanimously to skip its July meeting and reconvene in August, and recognized the final board appearance of outgoing member Rute Scalale.