Cuts to COAs and their Programs

SAVE OUR SENIOR CENTERS

The Great Recession Hits

By Ruthann Dobek, MCOA Legislative Chair
From Focal Points, Spring 2010

The Boston Globe
Funding cuts hit services for the elderly

By Christine Legere
Globe Correspondent / June 11, 2009
Shrinking state aid and decreases in local revenue have forced many officials south of Boston to focus their dwindling coffers on municipal services classified as "essential" under state law, with public safety and schools making the cut.
But senior services in a number of communities are losing because they fall in the "non-essential" category - even though many elderly depend on them.
More...

Cuts Implemented / Cuts Projected

These are the Cut-backs our members have shared.

IMPLEMENTED

Florida COA — Council on Aging eliminated

Gloucester COA — Director position eliminated

Norton COA — Council on Aging eliminated

Stoughton COA — Director position eliminated

• • • • •

Amherst COA — Volunteer Coordinator PT 20hrs eliminated; Activities budget eliminated

East Bridgewater COA — FY10 budget cut 3% for all town departments; staffing change payroll decreases mitigate the impact on services provided. This is a town without a senior center.

Gill-Montague COA — Director position of 20 hrs + benefits is now 17 hrs + NO benefits.

Lakeville COA — at 20% cuts, which translates to van service reduced from 5 days to 3 days, p-t clerk eliminated, and senior center closed on Fridays. A 3-Question override is scheduled for Saturday, July 18th

Mansfield COA — cut 5% from FY 11 budget; lost half-time Volunteer Coord. position - $15,254; plus a cut in expenses of $1,338

New Bedford COA — In FY 09 all personnel of city of New Bedford lost 1 hour a week to Furlough (with the exception of those who worked under 20 hrs/wk) Unit C personnel (managers,supervisors,directors) lost 6 hrs/year due to Furloughs
In FY 10 all personnel of city of New Bedford (with the exception of those who worked under 20 hrs/wk) including Unit C Personnel lost 4 hrs/wk due to Furloughs
In addition to City Budget Cuts, the COA had a cut in Formula Grant forcing us to cut staff hours.

North Attleboro COA — 1 hr/wk eliminated from all positions; Volunteer Coordinator laid off; Outreach Workers 18 to 15 hrs; Department Clerk 15 to 12 hrs; Nutrition staff stable due to Bristol Elder Services (AAA)

North Reading COA — 1.3% cut FY09

Oxford COA — Position of Clerk eliminated as of 7/1/09

Plainville COA — One full-time Assistant/Outreach became 37 hrs in FY'08, 30 hrs in FY'09, and is now 20 hrs in FY'10; only one travel/phone Asst. p-t at 15-20 hrs

Salem COA — two p-t Outreach works eliminated

Sterling COA — FY10 budget has been cut by $1000. so far

Sudbury Senior Ctr — FY09 budget cut by $1000; transportation salary removed from budget; FY10 losing $3,600 (roughly half) of general operating budget; and 100% cut of subsidized taxi program funding (we are folding the program)

West Boylston COA — July 2008, the Assistant COA Director was laid off due to budget cuts; As of July 2009, another 10% was cut from the budget, which now consists of the Director's salary and the telephone bill (we hope it is enough). Every other purchase is made from the Formula Grant, donations, or from the Friends Group.

Weymouth COA — We have been asked to cut our budget by 10%

Williamsburg COA — $500 cut from the Town of Williamsburg for fiscal '09; $200 cut in the Formula Grant; Citizens Match dollars being suspended means a $3,200 grant has become only a $1200 grant — a $2,000 cut from Highland Valley Elder Services — Total of $2,700 in cuts

Worcester Senior Ctr — lost 3 staff (clerks, custodian); losing FY10 program funds; cutbacks affecting WRTA medical transportation, elder home maintenance, etc.

Wrentham COA — 4% cuts for FY10, mostly from expense side, salary freezes for all COA salaries at FY09 levels, driver and bus are now under a reimbursable contract with local transportation authority (GATRA)

HEADLINES
Rehoboth Faces Tough Choices ...the town will face tough financial decisions at town meeting in October that could mean losing a full-time director of the council on aging and dealing with fewer highway and road repairs and services...
Two Towns Approve Overrides: Senior Centers to stay open
Rockland voters OK $2.8m override ...other parents formed a pro-override group - Great Schools, Great... have avoided going for an override to fill the gap in state funding... been reluctant to approve overrides, having passed only one operational... 924 voted in favor of the override question involving the schools...
By: Emma Stickgold | Date: Jun 1, 2009
WINTHROP: Voters OK eight of 10 overrides ...town has considered overrides, permanent increases... A $2.5 million override passed in 2001, but overrides were defeated in...it had passed an override. Richard Honan...advocated for all 10 overrides, said residents...
By: John Laidler | Date: May 24, 2009

PROJECTED

Mashpee COA — submit FY09 Budget 4% less than FY09 allocation; approved by Finance Committee/Selectmen; awaits Town Meeting

Mendon COA — threatened with severe cuts two months into the FY11 fiscal year, along with the Town Library and Parks Depts., all in jeopardy as "non-essential" services. This, after two separate local overrides ($490K) for the regional school system were both defeated

North Reading COA — looking at 3% cut FY10

Rockland COA — Rockland passed all 4 override questions, so COA will stay open
(Finance Committee recommends FY10 zero funding unless override passes in May)

Sterling COA — Planned New Senior Center has been put on the back burner

Tyngsborough COA — Hours may be reduced from 40 to 24, or possible closure; to be decided at June 16 Town Meeting

Winthrop COA — Voters OK eight of 10 overrides ...town has considered overrides, permanent increases...A $2.5 million override passed in 2001... Richard Honan...advocated for all 10 overrides, said residents...(Facing Override Menu Vote on funding COA and Library, 19 May —will have to close if funds cut off)