Council on Aging

Approved by COA at 6/9/2022 meeting. COUNCIL ON AGING BOARD OF DIRECTORS FITCHBURG CITY CLERK SPECIAL MEETING Jun 14 2024 4:01 pm THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2022 PRESENT: Bill Walsh, George Bourque, Joan Goodwin, Margaret Padovano, Bonnie Hautala, Josie Wood, Debbie Dion, Jim Craigen, Annie DeMartino ABSENT: Joe Byrne, Michele Morin, George Rodriguez Special Meeting called to order at 1:05pm *Minutes from previous meeting on April 14, 2022, and an updated treasurer’s report were not received and/or approved because today is a special meeting. PRESIDENT’S REPORT *The purpose of today’s special meeting was to announce the retirement of Joan Goodwin, Executive Director of the Fitchburg Senior Center, effective Thursday, June 30, 2022. The COA Board expressed similar sentiments to Joan: 1) happy for Joan and her family and sad for Fitchburg Senior Center, 2) her job performance went above and beyond expectations, particularly during the challenging times of the COVID pandemic and the loss of her Program Director, 3) impossible to replace her, 4) thanked Joan for her tireless effort and dedication on behalf of Fitchburg’s elderly population and 5) expressed heartfelt thanks for a job well done and a performance that should make her very proud. *Bill Walsh stated that he often told Joan they were a package deal and with Joan’s imminent retirement it was now the proper time for him to step down. His term expires on June 30, 2022, following 18 years of dedicated service to the COA Board of Directors. We especially thank Bill for his service as the COA Board’s Chairperson. *Two handouts were received by COA Board members. The first handout was dated October 6, 1999, and it discussed the nature of the legal relationship between the COA and its Executive Director. This memorandum from City Solicitor Michael J. Ciota was addressed to Mayor Mary Whitney. The other handout was a lengthy job description of the Executive Director of the Fitchburg Senior Center. It included duties, competencies and qualifications. This handout was compiled by Joan Goodwin and it read more like a resume than a job description because it listed what Joan has actually done as Executive Director. The COA Board will tweak it prior to the upcoming cycle of interviews for the next Executive Director because it includes items that were not Joan’s responsibilities, particularly duties that involve the upkeep and maintenance of the Fitchburg Armory Building. *Joe Byrne has been in contact with William Galvin, MA Secretary of State, with regard to the legal status of the Friends of the Fitchburg Senior Center. Joe is expecting Secretary Galvin’s response soon. Bill Walsh stated that the COA Board of Directors is responsible for obtaining any money from the Friends that is legally owed to the Fitchburg Senior Center. Walsh also stated the possibility of involving the MA Attorney General. DIRECTOR’S REPORT *Joan reported that she met with Mayor Stephen DiNatale at 10:00 this morning and submitted her letter of intent to retire on Thursday, June 30, 2022, expressing her desire to spend more time with her family. She reiterated the challenges she faced to successfully perform her duties during the COVID pandemic and the loss of her Program Coordinator due to budget cuts. Joan told us that she was hired as Executive Director in 2004, replacing Jean Lemay. Joan stated that she now considers her upcoming retirement to be public knowledge since she has informed Mayor DiNatale and the COA Board. She sincerely thanked the COA Board for our kind comments and sincere best wishes. NEW BUSINESS *George Bourque suggested that the City should hire Joan, perhaps on a per diem and/or consultant basis, to allow for a smooth transition until a new Executive Director is hired and begins work. Bourque made it a motion, seconded by Jim Craigen and it was unanimously approved. *Jim Craigen asked Joan if she would consider being a COA Board member following her retirement. Joan expressed her interest in serving on the Board. *Joan reported that Jennifer Brennan, Principal Clerk at the Fitchburg Senior Center, is interested in the position of Executive Director. Bill Walsh said he would reach out to Michele Morin, COA Board Secretary, to gauge her interest in the position. *Debbie Dion asked for clarification of job titles for a few City employees. Natalia works in the Mayor’s office doing the job that A.J. Tourigny once did. I think A.J. was the Mayor’s Assistant, but unsure of his job title. Joan David is the Mayor’s Executive Chief of Staff. Susan Davis is the City’s HR Director. *Debbie Dion suggested that the COA Board needs to schedule meetings during July and August so we are informed and readily available to participate in the process of interviewing/hiring a new Executive Director. She suggested meeting on Thursday, July 14, 2022, and again on Thursday, August 11, 2022. The Board will address the possibility of a summer meeting schedule at its regular meeting on Thursday, May 12, 2022. Meeting adjourned 2:00pm