The Harwich Council on Aging (COA) is moving toward greater digital independence and expanded service capacity following the announcement of a $9,000 grant from the Friends of the COA and the launch of a dedicated, non-town-hosted website. Chair Richard Waystack announced that the Select Board formally accepted the funds during their latest hearing, noting that Director Julie Wieleba-Milne will manage the grant to support critical programs targeting dementia, digital equity, and senior safety. The board also approved its previous records to begin the session: Motion Made by C. DeLina to approve the minutes of the December 17th meeting. Motion Passed (7-0).

Bob, President of the Friends of the COA, highlighted the organization’s commitment to addressing modern challenges with the new funding. Broadly, we're interested in dementia and support for dementia patients and caregivers, Bob said, noting that the group is also prioritizing digital equity and the physical safety of the aging population. Waystack added that the Select Board was very quick and very pleased to accept the funds on behalf of the department, which will be accounted for on a monthly basis to ensure transparency with the donor organization.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the department's digital pivot. Director Wieleba-Milne's report, read by Waystack, detailed the creation of harwichcoa.com and harwichcoa.org using the Wix platform. This move away from the standard Town of Harwich website is designed to allow more frequent updates and detailed information sharing. Waystack suggested the new site should include interactive features, stating, We need a responsive 'call to action' on the website, almost a bot built into it. If someone is looking at 8:00 at night and is interested in volunteering, they can leave their name and number.

Board member Jen Anderson raised critical points regarding accessibility and compliance for the new digital home, referencing evolving standards for municipal-affiliated sites. There are new ADA guidelines from the government that we have to be in compliance with for municipal websites, Anderson noted. She urged the board to act early to avoid retrofitting later, emphasizing that it's about contrast, color, and readers. John Batchelder offered a pragmatic view of the town's changing demographics and their relationship with technology, remarking, I have a tough time thinking you're going to get someone buying a house in Harwich who isn't at least a little bit computer savvy nowadays.

The board further explored the UMass Needs Assessment recommendations, focusing on "Outreach and Information Sharing" as a top priority for 2026. To bridge the gap for residents less comfortable with technology, Anderson suggested the use of rack cards that could be placed at the Chamber of Commerce or in real estate welcome packets. Angie Chilaka proposed a more direct approach through the medical community. I think we should hit Fontaine Medical and the doctors because most of our elderly are going to the doctors, Chilaka said. If you're in the doctor's office, they may be promoting social connection. Batchelder suggested adding QR codes to all printed materials so residents could just shoot your phone at the QR code rather than typing in long URLs.

Physical space remains a looming challenge for the department, particularly as the town prepares for the upcoming season. A joint meeting of the Facilities, COA, Recreation, and Youth committees is scheduled for January 27 at 5:00 PM to discuss room utilization within the Community Center. Waystack noted that the return of beach sticker sales to the building is expected to strain resources. The need for space here is getting greater and greater, Waystack said, noting that Sheila House would represent the COA’s interests at the meeting. This constraint has already impacted programming; a new 16-week "Buried in Treasures" hoarding support workshop, beginning January 26, had to be relocated to the Brooks Library due to a lack of available rooms. Chilaka, reflecting on her experience with the Facilities Committee, noted, I knew it was important that we all get together for planning purposes so we're not colliding with one another.

Regarding the cost of outreach, the board debated the merits of mass mailings versus digital alternatives. Waystack questioned if mailers were a worthwhile use of money given that Select Board budgets are notoriously tight. Bob reported that a recent Friends postcard cost $2,400 to reach 5,000 residents but ultimately broke even through resulting donations. Waystack suggested that instead of expensive town-wide mailers, the COA should forge strategic partnerships with affordable housing organizations like Penrose and POV to include information cards in new tenant leases. Linda Rogers and other board members also reviewed the calendar for the annual spring volunteer recognition event, identifying potential dates in early April to coordinate with local restaurants.