Halifax COA Approves Governance Document, Eyes Spring 2027 for New Senior Center

Council on Aging · Meeting of January 20, 2026

Halifax Council on Aging approves governance document, reports new grants, and updates senior center construction timeline. Meeting Tuesday for the first time since October, the board voted unanimously to adopt a revised board member onboarding and duties document covering excessive absence policy. COA Director Darlene reported two new $500 Mass Cultural Council entertainment grants, a $500 Triad contribution from the district attorney's office, and a $1,000 estate bequest to the gifts and activities account.

She said interim Town Administrator Bob is working with her to untangle how GATRA transportation reimbursement funds should flow back to town departments including the highway department and IT. The board discussed a design for the new senior center, with groundbreaking targeted for October 2026 and a spring 2027 opening, funded through $1.2 million in prior borrowing and $750,000 in free cash — "the taxpayer is not going to be responsible for building this building," Darlene said. Board members pressed for a clear policy establishing senior-only priority use from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with community access permitted after hours under Select Board-approved rules.

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Source: the Council on Aging meeting of January 20, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.