Council on Aging

Post date: Jul 10, 2017 6:31:21 PM

The COA recently purchased 330 bright yellow visibility vests for release to Town residents at no cost. We're quite aware that Williamstown is an active walk/run and bike community and many of us, Village elders and younger folks, are out there at all hours of the day being mobile. Many of us are out there in the early morning and evening hours or even at night. Sometimes it's difficult for approaching motorists to see us, especially if we've chosen to wear less than bright clothing for our excursions. The vests are a small effort to keep folks safe while we're out there on or along the rods.

By the way, this effort isn't Elder exculsionsry, there available at Town Hall and the Harper Center utill gone for anyone of any appropriate age-they're adult size XL and we do not have youth sizes. The vests were made possible by a grant from Massachusetts Elder Affairs.

Williamstown COA has received a $5000 grant to provide enhanced transportation to folks who normally ride the COA van but could benefit from extended and expanded hours. The plan is to offer some evening, Saturday and Sunday morning to church transportation options. It's a pilot program to ascertain if there is interest or need for these options. COA Director Brian O'Grady had originally applied for the funds in October 2017 as part of a new statewide pilot called TRIPPS, funded by an incentive grant from Massachusetts Elder Affairs and curated by Massachusetts COA. The actual release of funding will occur prior to June 30th. Hopefully this will be a successful effort allowing COA to plan for expansion down the road.

More information will follow.

On friday June 29th, Richard Meyer and his band will perform a set of tunes they're calling "American Pop". They'll play at 1:00, a cookout precedes the event at noon. Reservations requested, 458.8250

Finally, while we hear that Farmers Market coupons will be available at the end of July. We'll post information as it becomes available.In the meanwhile, the eligability rules remein the same-they're free to Williamstown residents aged 60 and older who meet the income standards which will be posted with the announcement. Additionally, they are first come, first serve so when they're gone, they're gone.