 All righty, if there's anyone else on the call, welcome. And you can, let's just like to remind you that if you're dialing in by phone, if you want to speak, you can press star nine to raise your hand to speak. Or if you're using a computer or tablet, you can click on the raise hand button at the bottom of your screen to let the chair know to let me know that you would like to speak. Finally, just as a reminder to everyone, I encourage you to to mute yourself because it does cut down on background noise. And you can unmute when you've been identified by the chair as having raised your hand. So, this is a time for public comment. If there is any, I'm going to ask for that now. Can I ask, Pat, did you read the piece about the convening of the meeting pursuant to Governor Baker's. I did, I just did. All right. I would also add a refinement to that just for the edification of the this group right now. The executive order also authorizes all members of the public body to participate in the meeting remotely. And also, and this was news to me as of this morning, the open meeting laws requirement that a quorum of the body and that the chair be physically present is also suspended. So that means that we can still do business today. So, if we, if we choose, but looks like one, two, three, four, we have four, four of us in my right one. Yeah, four of us right now. And hopefully there'll be others to join us, but we still can move forward. So, let's see, I want to make sure I have other things here. I need to order. And so we'll, and we've asked for public comment. So, let's, let's head on. If you should have your agenda in front of you. And the attachments as well that I sent to everyone. So, let's start out with updates and looking ahead from Mary Beth. Good morning, everyone. It's good to see you all. We continue to soldier on here, even though we remain closed to the public. We're still here every day. And I like to remind that to people as often as possible, because I still get calls from the public. And they're surprised that we're here. I think that there still is, even though it's been in the newsletter and we try to mention all the meetings, lots of folks still think that we are not here. I just like to keep reiterating that for everybody that staff is fully present every day, and we're available if anyone has any questions or issues. I would just like to bring a few highlights to the community and to all of you is first of all for flu shots. So we can't overemphasize enough how important it is that folks get flu shots this season. We have all kinds of medical advisories about that and the confluence of COVID and flu and the similarity in the symptoms. So in the newsletter that is going out, we have all of the local areas where they are doing flu clinics at CVS and Target, etc. And if you have any questions, you can also call Karen Rainan our Senior Health Services nears. You can call us at 259-3060, but Karen will be participating in this meeting and she can share that information, but if anybody has any questions about flu shots or accessing them. I'm also meeting next week with the Musanti Health Center to discuss further needs for flu and flu immunizations and other services. So if there's something additional, I'll make sure that I let you all know. We continue to have masks and provide those for free because masks obviously are becoming an integral part of our everyday life. And it's important that people not only have a mask but have several masks and certainly ones that are washable are advisable. So I know a lot of people use the paper masks and if you use them repeatedly, there is some diminishment in their effectiveness. So if anybody needs a cloth mask, I continue to work with volunteers as widely as Northampton who support us and have dropped off another 60 masks. So please contact us anytime. Mobile office hours, but we have found particularly in outreach with regard to some of our food programs that folks sometimes in need are reluctant to come here to ask for help. Some of the communities and populations that used to come and participate, for instance, in bread and produce, we have not had contact with. And so we have been working with community leaders and members and also Town Hall where they've been participating in the mobile food markets to figure out ways to reach people who might have questions or a need and are reluctant to come here. And I've had a number of interactions with folks who who are reluctant to sort of formally interact with us for lots of good reasons. So we are it's announced in the newsletter we're going to be doing some mobile outreach where we're going out with the COA van. And with that, we will be holding outdoor office hours, and I would emphasize that they are they are not intended as sort of social events that they are going to be very brief encounters with people to do to leave us with an inquiry and contact information and then we're going to follow up and continue to pursue whatever that inquiry is. And so it will be outdoor, it will be mandatory masks if you don't have a mask will give you a mask. It'll be socially distance and very brief meetings, but we want to make sure that we're following up and making sure that all the members of the community are participating and aware of it. It's in a variety of places including Applewood Greenleaves condominiums rolling Green Village Park, we're going to the South Amherst Common. So, some of the places are not located are not listed in our newsletter because they're more informal opportunities for us to show up and do some assistance. So if anybody has any further input on the council that they'd like to share with me this is where I'd like you to show. Please let us know we've scheduled it for just one hour so that they would be very brief opportunities. We have a YouTube channel so we have a if you Google the town of Amherst Amherst Senior Center on the YouTube site. You will come up with a list of all of our caring conversations and those were conversations that we had around COVID and keeping yourself healthy. So it deals with a variety of issues from behavioral health to physical health conversations with the pediatrician, our senior health services nurse which we pat was really kind to share with you. So those are all curated for reference. And if anybody, you know wants to to tap into them, I would I would suggest you do some really great viewing informal. It's not really a TV show. So you can make up at what you like and then follow up with any questions that you have, including things like how to execute a health care proxy and documents that would support you in your health. I know that there are a number of questions, foot care, we are not able to to provide that we remain providing the information it's in the newsletter for those providers who used to come here and are providing in home services. So I've outlined that there were a number of questions for medical equipment we're still referring everybody to Stavros Stavros has our equipment right now. And again they are free they deliver they have a hospital grade sanitization process. They are our partners where we have developed a more extensive program partnership with them. The two of us, you know, they also help now with our meal delivery. And then they had some emergency funds that we worked with them to support some seniors accessing for prescriptions and things of that nature. So they have, we have really buttressed that engagement. We also are moving forward with our technology loan program where we have nine iPads that have been ordered by the town on our behalf using both some grant money and the funds that we've raised. So I'm looking forward to getting those in circulation we have a number of individuals who have called so we're starting a list of those individuals and we hope to be able to add some additional technology to that so nine is just our beginning space. We know that we will be able to we will be purchasing some more down the line. The census I there was an inquiry, I had forward to me about the status of the census. And what I have been able to obtain is that the participation rate in the town of Amherst. The point in time is 66.7% have responded to the US census in comparison last year, I mean last round of 2010 it was 70.8% so that there is a lesser percentage, the statewide average is 69%. And so I was not able to obtain I contacted folks who have been involved in that process, whether our particular community of older adults, you know, are participating in a lesser number or not or if there are some other populations that are uncounted. So I can't report out on that, but I can indicate that there have been some vigorous efforts along the way certainly through us and also the the census workers and the numerators have been out door to door. You know, we worked with the Meals on Wheels clients, we also distributed information we had some tabling that was here before COVID and then post COVID staff, we all took a long list of individuals and we were calling and placing calls. We had looked at the issue of phone banking I know that Rosemary has been very active in this through her work with the League of Women Voters, but we had decided that it was better to use our own database because we were calling people in Amherst that we knew and and there would be probably more likelihood that they would pick up the phone. If they saw that it was the Amherst Senior Center. So we've tried to alert our community but there still is time so if anybody sees neighbors or friends. And that's that's always that's a hard thing these days but if you see anybody you could say hey did you have did you finish your census and I believe it closes October 31 so there still is time to participate in that. There's voting information in the newsletter that is going out in terms of the locations for early in person and election day early in person. I would just emphasize for anybody who would like to participate in that. I know it begins October 17, and it goes on for approximately two weeks and it's being held here at the bank center. So, we would we will be the location for anyone who wants to participate in mail. And it's part of me vote in person the ballot box for people who have requested an early ballot and want to just hand it into the town hall remains located on the main street side of the town hall and is available 24 seven it's under camera observation so it's very very safe so I know some people have asked me questions about that. So that is ongoing. And then the last thing I just wanted folks to know about is that we are doing a drug take back program so that has always been a very important and popular program within our community. And it also protects our environment rather than dumping medication that's older unused in a toilet and it goes and it seeps into our water system. So the drug take back program will be Saturday. I believe it's October 21 from 10 to two at Wildwood School. So that is typically something that's it's being sponsored by the Northwestern District Attorney's Office. I will be there on Saturday that day. And I hope if anybody has any old medication that they can bring it and dispose of it in a safe way. And that's the highlight. Thank you. Unless I if you have any other questions are trying to pat had sent me a number of questions I'm trying to make sure that I cover those in the report. Go ahead Rose Mary. Could you unmute please. A few questions. I did the newsletter so fast that I didn't read it carefully but I wondered if you emphasize the high dose that senior older people should ask for the high dose. No. No I didn't you mean for the flu shot. Yes. Yeah no no I didn't make any any recommendation as to that. Okay. And then my other question was the Muse anti health center is how active is that is that open on the time or what is the. Yeah. So I had that same question Rose Mary because particularly during a pandemic health care and access to it is so important. So I actually I've been down there a couple of times what I can report is that they have had a doctor the medical director or the hilltown health center is now the covering physician John Liebman and he covers the practice and there's also a regularly dedicated nurse practitioner who is now down there. Formerly if you recall in the fall, both of those physicians departed. So there was a period of time at which they weren't accepting new patients they are now accepting new patients. So I think that that's a that's a good move forward. And then the other the other piece is when you're asking about sort of the operations. I think it's advertised in my conversations that they're that they're there. Most every day a to four. So, so I think that there's some flexibility within the they seek to be there every day but I don't know that they're necessarily there every day the entire sort of like an eight hour shift. As I mentioned I'm going to be meeting with the executive director the COO and some of the practitioners next week to talk about sort of what the need is within the community. And of course my interest is in serving the older adults in the community and people who are close by, and also, you know, there's a need for an immunization clinic, etc. So I can, I can report more information probably by the next meeting about what that might look like of a sort of a greater partnership and outreach. So, thank you. Any other questions for Mary Beth. I want to welcome again, both Mary Elmer on this in this gathering and, and Karen Rainan who just joined us as well. And so I think just in the interest of supporting Karen's time. I want to move her up on that agenda a bit just to, I, I thought it would be a good idea for us to have a chance as, as we connect to larger communities of seniors to have a good idea. First of all, to meet Karen if we have if you haven't already done that but also to get a feel for to welcome her and thank her for what we know is a busy time for her, but also to, to just get a better feel from her about the kinds of things that the kinds of calls that are coming and what we can do to support our messaging in the work that she does. So take it away, Karen. Well, good morning everybody on this chilly morning. I pulled out my full that is what I haven't worn in a little while. So, yes, so I'd like to sort of like Mary Beth I'd like to answer the calls padded asked me specific things to questions to answer and so what kind of calls am I receiving. Well, it won't be a surprise to that it's mainly questions back COVID. So all different questions sometimes it's for a person for themselves or sometimes it's for a relative. And I do think that I could be wrong about this but some I do feel that people feel like because the building is closed that were closed that were not available. So trying really hard and that's I wanted to put that out to all of you, just some creative ideas how we can get that message out there will shoot know the building is closed but we're here. I am here on a part time basis, six hours a week, but it's amazing what you can get accomplished in six hours so so my phone is not ringing off the hook. And, you know, so it would be great. I'd be glad to entertain lots of different calls. So I'm eager to hear. You know what you all think if there are different ways we can get out there certainly Mary Beth has done all sorts of outreach and with the newsletter. I've also, I had a business cards made up and those went out to all the meals on wheels recipients and also I dropped some off at the police chief, and also I was going to drop them off the fire fire department, just sort of trying to get the message out that we're here, and that I'm certainly available for people to call me. So, and I think an interesting question pat that you asked her how my services different from the primary care. Well, I think they probably overlap. In some ways, you know, certainly my phone line is not I'm not able to make in person visits at all at this time, but I am available by phone. And if it's an urgent matter that's really that's not, that's not the messages I should be. I mean, certainly if somebody is calling urgent, you know, urgently I refer them right away to either 911 or primary care but I'm here more as health advice, education support. And I know it makes sense that people concerned also about, you know, their blood pressure how that's doing and I do have a limited number of automatic blood pressure cuffs I did drop off a cuff at outside of course a person's house on their bench with instructions how to use this automatic blood pressure cuff. So, certainly I have that available. I am going to be giving a talk about diabetes. I do have a specialty in in diabetes I have a certification I'm going to be giving sort of a general talk will be zoom, of course, on November 16 at 10 o'clock and so but did sort of people have, do you have questions or I'd be glad to hear different ideas that you might have as to how we can, you know, better reach seniors. Any, any thoughts about that. Go ahead, Sue. So, how about an article in the Gazette introducing her to the community. Well, certainly that'd be an interesting idea. I know Mary Beth has been working on putting a blurb like a general blurb in the paper is it with a bulletin Mary Beth or Yeah, yeah. Yeah, that that is a good idea so because people I do find when I put something and when something landed in the Amherst bulletin, I got a whole slew of calls. I don't need to get the bulletin but I get the Gazette. Oh really you don't get the bulletin. No, I haven't had it. Well, I go on. I get the paper online. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, now we can definitely do that. And you know, I would also add that Karen has been exceptional at when you talk about creative ways. You know, she has gone out delivering meals. So gone to meet our individuals who are isolated and are unable to leave their home. She participates in the lunch, you know, to go hand out so she's out at the wall talking to people. So there are lots of ways, you know that she's been trying to make herself available and spread the word. Yeah, we're always looking for for new opportunities or new ways of engagement. I think I would. I remember my, Helik and I co taught a course, not a medical course directly, we were actually talking about balance for seniors. But one of the kinds of questions we would often get sometimes really basic questions that had to do with the local access to medical care. Often people are confused about when should I be calling the ER or, and I'm sorry, calling it an ambulance. That's always a big question. They're worried about how much it's going to be there. You know, what counts as an atrial emergency that so there's certainly, you know that that is something that really comes up and then also if I have a, let's say I have Oh, muscle spasms. If I go to the ER, will I be to if I go to Cooley Dickinson, let's say for can I am I going to be separated from the COVID patients there's a fear that going to the hospital is going to expose me and then I'll end up, you know, with muscle spasms and COVID and that wouldn't be so fun so I think, you know, just people are constantly worried about what's going to be covered and not covered. I guess the third thing I would would mention is this and this is a deeper conversation I think for sure but with respect to convalescent equipment. My husband has some upcoming surgery. He was looking he was told he would need a walker for a while. He's he it took him 11 phone calls. My husband is a retired lawyer. He's a sophisticated person. But we're still relatively new to the, you know, to town but we've been here for five years but the point is that and many of these providers have been out of business for five, six, seven years. They're no longer doing equipment. That's not a problem. That's not a problem that you can solve or deal with but I think that sometimes I think about especially documenting your training and experience in documenting the kinds of problems, unanswered problems that senior seniors have is so vital, a piece of looking at where there are gaps in services and in public education. And I'm not sure what the answer is exactly but I just want to pose that because I think that those questions have often present people who wish to seek medical help with tremendous challenges and obstacles to care and, you know, they they need to be addressed around, you know, as around pop in a policy framework certainly but but practically as well so. And I think Pat, as you were speaking I was thinking about this because of the virus I think a lot of times that can make people feel more for sure more alone more isolated. You know, whatever they're concerned with to keep going around and around in their head and just sort of not maybe reaching out that they normally would, and I had an opportunity to be part of resilience group by Bruno and set the university and that was fascinating it was just really wonderful sort of mind expanding. Talking about mindfulness and just how to be more present in the moment and being with other people. So, but it's just interesting I think that yeah because of the closed in sort of fearful. People not want to, you know, reach out as much and so you have a lot of different interesting thoughts and ideas and regarding the equipment, Mary Beth might have mentioned I know Stavros has right that they have some equipment that's available but a lot of people don't know those things like you said even your husband 11 phone calls, you know, just and a lot of times. So, yeah, so I think the idea going back to I apologize I can't remember the woman you name who mentioned it about doing an article on the paper I think that would be great and do you think the bulletin would be better or or the gazette, or both I know sometimes they duplicate their articles. It's a wider, wider spread of people. Right. Okay. I see Mary, Mary, you've got to hand up. How to put my hand up on this zoom thing so this is a, is there a button you push. There can be it's often at it depends on if you've got a tablet or a regular computer. Yeah. Okay. Well, that's my question anyway. Do we ever do anything with the Amherst survival center. Or is that a different group that we don't work with that much because it's homeless it's elderly it's people in need. I'm just thinking they were dirt definitely could use your services Karen. But I don't know if we if we work with that group. Yeah, it's changed a lot I think Mary best probably going to chime in here. I used to volunteer at their medical clinic which was twice a week which is wonderful so it was really people from all over people from the university. People would bring in their relatives who are visiting just for this free medical clinic. It was on Mondays and Thursdays and that's really, of course, they don't have that right now and their main focus is about food distribution. Mary Beth, do you want to get me an idea I'm sorry that I that certainly I should pop on over there and just give them my card in terms of if people have questions or just to let them know that we're here. And the survival center just I know when I was there on Thursdays it's it's all people from all over all different needs all different intergenerational. That would come to the survival center I don't know if the complexion of people has changed a lot since during coven. Yeah, no I think the two things that I do know is that the survival center is I think as you alluded to, has really gone in the direction of just focusing on food because there's such a very huge and critical need. And their goal for this year is to double their distribution of food both in terms of communities and total volume. They have sort of collapsed the other kinds of services that that they typically performed, you know, with regard to shopping in their shop and the medical clinic and things like that they are not running any of those services. I know that that isn't as, you know, as opportune but I could, you know, I certainly can inquire I don't know in in my, in my communication so I communicate with them around food, a lot. And I think that the other folks that sort of used to do more like case management and things like those positions are not they've been shifted all to food and food pantry management coordination distribution. So but I can certainly let them know that if, if there is a medical question of a older adults, you know, we can certainly do that. The one thing I would let you know is that we are not having pursuant to sort of our standard operating procedures. And Karen isn't seeing patients face to face for clinical work. So she's only doing things virtually. So, you know, we can make, I can certainly reach out and make them aware, you know, if, if someone comes in and there's some kind of, you know, a conversation or what not around that. And I think the difference is, is that that as I've observed when we're there, the interactions like you know how you people would just hang out all day in the, in the, you know, dining area. So there were lots of conversations and now it literally is, you know, come in and just pick up your food and and you're heading out because people can't linger and stay. So I don't know how much they're having those kinds of conversations, but it's certainly a great idea, Mary, and hadn't thought about that one to, to just make them generally aware of, of that supportive services. The place that we're, I think that we used to draw mainly from really has been more just the Clark House and Ann Whalen. I think some of the, the, the reticence is what Pat mentioned about people are people are reluctant even to just ask the questions they're not sure what to do, they're not sure of statuses they're not sure about status so it has been very helpful to have Karen interacting with them, you know, we have a large group come over every day for lunch. So, and we can also create some more flyers for those locations because, because flyers are effective, regardless of, you know, good old flyers. So, and if anybody has follow up, please, please let us, you know, please let us know if there's any other ideas. And Karen is going to come out and do the mobile office hours with us. So we're all taking different dates. I just want to, oh, I see other questions. So Rosemary, can you speak up. Before we leave the topic, I just want to encourage all of you to watch the very nice YouTube of the interview that Mary Beth has with Karen introducing Karen. It's very informative. It was really nice to meet you that way Karen, even though we have met in person, there were many things that I learned about you and it was very valuable. Wonderful interview. Thank you. Amen to that and Karen you wanted to add one more thing. And yeah, okay. I was just going to say, so my husband I got a puppy in April, and our idea was to, I wanted the puppy to be a therapy dog, and a comfort dog to people so he's an intensive training I think probably me more than the dog. We're going to be starting our third puppy class. And so hopefully, you know, before long, you'll be able to see the little fella his name is Scout downtown with me to be able to meet people, you know, still at a distance but to have more of a presence and he's a sweet fella he's a proper dog, which is like an Australian labradoodle and it, and they're purposely bred hypoallergenic, just to be that to be a comfort to people so. So I'm working on it. So you'll, and I've done a couple of videos, encouraging people to get out and walk and be out and about. And this with me but I'll be doing more videos so people can meet them and get ideas where to walk and get some fresh air. Thank you so much, Karen for the work you're doing and for spending some time with us this morning we really appreciate it. You're welcome. Okay, so moving on. Let's go I let's go back up to highlights from the chairs report. Let's I think that stuff is really pretty self explanatory. The, but I didn't want to just. I just wanted to add that add a thank you to to Rosemary, who has provided some great information, just kind of the history of the relationship between the history of the the friends of the MR senior center and that was I know that briefing was really helpful to me and a kind of understanding the relationship. And as we go forward so many things are changing and because of COVID and we're taking a fresh look at everything so I really appreciated her doing that. And so with those, I just started the I think the chairs reports there's no requirement for me to do that but I, I wanted to help council members know, and also, yeah, well just kind of what what I've been up to in support of take, you know, during this strange quiet time. You know the kinds of issues and concerns that I've been pursuing and, and doing on behalf of all of the all of us really. So, I just, I just mentioned that. And that's probably a good segue to go to item 3D, which has proposed bylaw changes and I wanted to Sue's hand is up I just. Oh, I'm sorry Sue go ahead. And I just want to thank you for sending your report ahead of time and letting us know all the stuff you're trying to figure out so appreciate it. Oh, thank you. I appreciate that. Okay, so that hand is up Pat for you. Okay. You know I'm not seeing. Wait a second, hold on here. Was handed up event has a raised hand. Okay, okay, I'm not seeing your raised hand but I'm glad to hear about it event. Go ahead. Can you hear you event. Can you unmute or we're still we're still looking to hear you. I think you're muted. Oh, I see I see her hand up but I don't see. So I just sent her a message to unmute. All right. Okay, good thing. Audio problem. Yep. Okay. Hello. Oh, yes. I'm sorry I had a technical problem there. I was just thinking about, I was wondering whether there could be a billboard. Mary Beth you mentioned that you draw. I think a lot of inquiries. You didn't say that exactly, but from the Clark House and Whalen community. And I don't know who is in town walking about. But I was wondering if you have any kind of easel outside of the, the bank center where you know, you know, like sort of restaurants say what they have for lunch today or dinner. Because I know you have that that digital bulletin board in the lobby upstairs. Inside. So I just wondered about an easel, a pop up easel. You know, it would have to be big enough that people would see, and I could always share some information with somebody. Well, I saw this and you might be able to call them and find out just another way that's not a newspaper radio. But interestingly, I don't know who listens to radio, but, but anyway, that was my thought the easel idea. Yeah, I have to I love that event. We do have, I think they call them sandwich boards those big plastic things that are sort of like an a frame, and we don't have one out there because we had to list all of the rules for social communication for people coming to do the grab and go. But that would be a great idea to create one with like up to date news. And we could, you know, we could even do to because you are right we get we get an awful lot of foot traffic by and through here. So, you know, some people go by that back door and then other people go by the side by Johnny's So even if we had two of those that would be a great idea. All right, cool. Thank you. All right. Okay, so let me just, you know, one of the things that I have been dwelling in are the bylaws. So, and I noticed that I guess what I want to say is that I made a proposal, which I think in first of all I recognize that bylaw changes are serious matters. And as I continued to look at how amendments are made to bylaws by our own bylaws that they require 14 days announcement in advance of anything official, and that they, we would certainly even though they would under the executive order, we can not have a quorum. We can take action without a quorum. I still think that it's, it's vital for us to have a conversation about making any changes to the bylaws that involve all as many of our members as can participate. So, the simple proposal really has to do is to delete the sentence there shall be no votes in absentia. And the, and the idea behind that that I wanted to us to discuss is really has to do with trying to increase participation and access by seniors who may be homebound, who may be have other impediments in their lives but are are able to connect with us via zoom. And yes, I understand that many it's our institutions, public institutions may have may be being changed culturally forever as a result of COVID. There's a lot of rethinking about how can we increase access and civic participation. So that, that's kind of, I would say that's sort of the spirit of things and it's also, it's not, it's not only related to increasing forms of participation by seniors, even post COVID. But it also, it also recognizes that votes in particular could potentially take place, because we have this technological vehicle zoom or phone or other mechanisms that would allow us to do business in the summertime when people may be on vacation but wish to tune in to to for a vote and a significant vote or they may be that you know recovering from a cold that they don't want to share, but they still want to participate in conversations. So that's the spirit of this and Mary Beth and I have been talking a bit about the layers of executive certainly that or originate layers of executive authority that originate all the way up to the governor's office. And so the question my question is and we still don't know the answer to this exactly is whether we as a local appointed government appointed body can we whether we have the authority to change our bylaws in a way that institutionalize this form of participation. That in particular would in me some particular needs of seniors. Yeah, I guess that that's I would I would say that so I wonder if any any. I see Rosemary, putting her hand up any any other comments about that. I think it sounds like a very good idea. I think it would be something to be checked out with the town manager first to see it that because I don't I don't think the town council allows that for instance, for for remote votes, and it might be wise to check that with the town first. I think that your proposed text is is something to present to them. I would say that each council member present in person or virtually or remotely rather than via zoom. For instance, there are other vehicles that you can use like YouTube live and we don't know that we're always going to use zoom. Of course, Google apps as well. So if you use the the term virtually or remotely, it would, it would probably be better. Yeah, virtually or remotely shall be entitled to one vote with respect to any motion that may come before a meeting. Okay. Okay. So we. So my intent, my intention is to check into this further. And I think communicate the some of the, I don't want to say they're not exactly unique needs of seniors, but I think that there are illness disability care of spouse or something that that many senior citizens face and nevertheless would might well wish to participate fully. So that's that's the idea between that. So I also noticed that there's a provision and I haven't incorporated this yet and sort of the draft a draft text but for we have a provision in our bylaws that invite people to speak to us. The town council I noticed has a provision that allows people to send a statement in writing. And then there's a deadline for that. And so I'm thinking that with that's another yet another form of participation that's may, you know, could could be implemented as well that since the town council offers that we may people may wish to enter something into the record so to speak. I'm wondering if that makes sense and so you might have some thoughts about that. Sorry, I'm lost in what your question is. Well the question is whether or not we should provide explicitly opportunities for people to submit comments in writing to the council. Similar to what the town council has available in a nutshell that's it. Yeah. Yeah. And I can certainly hope to follow up with that about how how that language should go like whatever the language is for the town council. And I just wanted folks to know that this was a conversation that that Pat and I were having, because I was aware that there was a shift with the pandemic. And prior to this point in time prior to March, you were unable to have participation in a meeting remotely. So the few things that we've been able to just immediately find was that on March 12 of 2020 Governor Baker issued an executive order. And this all pertains to the open meeting law so the open meeting law is what governs sort of participation and whether it has to be in person and the type in the form. So on on March 12 in that executive order, and I have not been able to obtain a copy of that yet so that's what I've been trying to track down. That's what enabled public bodies to carry out their responsibilities remotely. So that was the first time in which about public bodies and for meetings were authorized to participate remotely. And then also allowed that a quorum says the open meeting laws requirement that a quorum of the body and that the chair be physically present at the meeting is suspended. So, and I didn't know oftentimes with an executive order on many of the executive orders he's issued during this pandemic. It is that there is language at the, at the bottom of it that indicates the duration of this so it usually it is until a certain day or 90, 90 days after the expiration of his declaration of an emergency. So we're just trying to find out those pieces. One of the possibilities would be if you change that language to provide for remote and virtual participation you could say just as comma as permissible by law. So that, you know, I think everybody thinks in municipalities and governing boards that that after this pandemic, probably remote participation will become that the whatever the standard, perhaps it won't, it won't revert back, but that would be one way to cover it. I think that's an exception is to say, look, we know during the law right now it's permissible. So if we just add that language, I think you'd be covered no matter what happens. That's an option. I think that's one of the things that will become both and because if, and really that's really along the lines of the values promise the values statement of Paul Bachman, which is to notice and look for opportunities to increase openness and wider participation and that is definitely the spirit that we're going for. I think there's something more to add myself on that. I think I will at our next meeting you'll hear more. I stay tuned I guess is what I would say about that. And I, I think actually, Mary Beth that I should say the the section of the open meeting law the suspension is is is that GLC 30 a section 18, I think is that's the open meeting law but his executive order. I think Angela Mills has that specific text. I believe so. Anyway, okay. Well, I will make sure that I get to the answer. I'm sorry I was press I was pressed for time I wasn't able to to fully no worries I think this is a work in progress I just wanted to let share current thinking and invite conversation from other members of the council on this topic. The second is really has to do with and this is an opening conversation about proposed standing committees. As I was looking at the bylaws. I had a lot of questions about our committee structure. And I think for purposes of this meeting. I'm just going to call people's attention to the bylaws comments on the committee structure, and it just struck me as unusual for a body of nine people to have five committees, specifying, you know, three members of each, and requiring notes and so forth I think it seemed like an overreach and I guess what I'm concerned. And so those of us of you who have served on the council of much longer than I have may wish to comment on that but I think what what I'm proposing is that we bring up. I want to say proposal perhaps for consolidating our meeting, our meeting structure to to to define whether our existing structure. Even it exists. Needs needs some changes, because as we add new new members. We want to be able to engage them in and some of the sub tasks of the council through through a committee structure but one that's working more efficiently and effectively. And so that's, and you've I sent you the questions that I have about our committee structure and that's should be I think, yeah, there, there are just a number of things that need some attention. We don't need to take up our council time for discuss that to discuss that but I'm, I'm wondering if there's any of you on this call who might be interested in helping me and us all together taking a look at our committee structure. I would contemplate some phone conversations. Rosemary. Yes, I would be interested in helping with that. All right, thank you. I have a few comments about the committee structure but if you prefer we can wait with that for another meeting. Okay, I think we'll continue to bring people into that conversation. You'll notice in one example I did include that's an important one to operating from and I'm just speaking personally here as a member and not chair. A committee on inclusion and diversity is something that I think would be a real value to all of our work as we go forward on the council and and consistent with Paul Bachmann's leadership as well but it's separate regardless of who is who is town manager it stands on its own as something that I think helps to put make practical and real our values of inclusion and and open arms at the senior center and creating places for everyone to be welcome so we'll work on that and I will I'll be you know knocking on the doors of other council members as well by phone inviting participation in this conversation on our committee structure because I think it it's essential and long overdue so any any more conversation about that we'll move on if not hearing none we'll move on to item for an action item. At previous meetings I did ask and explore whether any members would be interested in being serving as the councils of the town of Amherst councils representative at Highland Valley on the board of Highland Valley elder services no one else step forward I am willing to do that and so what I need in order to make that happen is for a motion to that effect a designating me as the representative to the Highland Valley elder services board so I need a motion from one of you I need a motion that Pat rector we are the Amherst representative to the Highland Valley elder services board is there a second. So thank you. Is there any discussion. Okay, shall we vote those in favor signify by raising your hand and event you can speak up in favor are you there that let's see she's muted again. Yeah. I'll send her another message. Okay. All right. Okay. If she indicates by raising her hand I can see that so I would let you know. Okay. All right. Okay. A technological delay. All right. Okay. Are we sufficient number for a quorum. Well that again I just as I mentioned that open meeting laws require requirement of a quorum of the body and the chair is suspended. I just learned that today. So we can we can do this vote. It looks like a landslide. Okay. All right. And any denunciations or or replacements volunteer replacements would be welcome if there's any conversation about that. Okay. Thank you. We'll send that off to their board so that they know we've taken official action. Speaking of official action. Secretary's report approval of a minute minutes. We need a motion to approve those minutes. So moved. All right. And is there a second. I second. I think I can second. Okay. All those in favor raise your hand. Aye. Aye. Okay. And I see if that's hand go up. Great. Aye. Okay. Do you want to add anything? Okay. No. No, I don't. I just wondered the Highland Valley. Would Mary be involved at all as Norma was. I'm not sure your question what your question is. Do you are you meet. Do you mean Mary Beth? No, um, maybe I'm, uh, Late here. I was just wondering about the motion so that you represent the Council on aging with the Highland Valley group. Yes. And I just wondered if Mary. Uh, the nurse. That's Karen. Karen is the nurse. She have, um, She would she, uh, She would not be involved in that with the Highland Valley group. No, uh, the, the particular make up in the bylaws of Highland Valley require it from the council on aging. So staff is actually prohibited. The only way in which staff could participate would be, I think something to the effect of like, if there wasn't a council on aging, There's a certain exception. Yeah. No, it has to be a member of the COA. Okay. Perfect. Thanks. And event while you're there. Did you want to vote on that? We didn't hear your. Yes, I agree. I concur. I vote. Okay. Yeah, I had technical difficulties. I'm so sorry. No worries. We're all learning this technology. Um, Okay, so, uh, let's, uh, I think, did we vote on the minutes accepting the minutes as written? Yes, I think we, we did. Um, Topics not reasonably anticipated by the chair. Any new topics to bring up folks. Okay. Um, No, I do have one, one thing that I would just maybe. Oh no, you know, I'm under announcements. Okay. Okay. So we'll move on to announcements. Okay. So the only other thing I would add is that at 12 noon today. Um, if, if your, um, Curiosity about health services was not satisfied in this meeting. Um, Paul Backelman is the town manager along with Jennifer Brown, our acting health director and myself will be doing one of our community chats at 12 noon. The link would be available on the town website. So if anybody would like to participate, it's a very, um, casual conversation that he holds, uh, intermittently. So Jennifer will be there on behalf of the town. So if you have questions around COVID, senior health, et cetera, please, uh, do if you want to listen or, or ask questions. Um, you're all invited. Everybody's invited. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Um, this week, other announcements is that Yvette and I will be, no, it's not this coming week, but the following week in October, we will be attending, uh, the Massachusetts council on aging, uh, workshops with our other colleagues on councils on aging from all over the state. And so we want to, uh, um, offer up a special thank you to the friends of the, uh, Center for, um, supporting our participation and our connection, uh, with, uh, Um, senior senior centers all over the state and councils of aging all over the state. So we're really excited about that and hope to learn a great deal that we can bring back. And can I do something? Pat? Of course. Thank you. I haven't heard from Helen. Um, or the Massachusetts council on aging. About. Confirming that I will be attending. So do you know anything about that? Maybe Mary Beth can speak to that. I have not yet heard anything yet either. Yeah, you know, that's so interesting that you mentioned that because I have not heard anything either. So. So I will follow up for all of us event. Thank you. Yeah. I have not gotten a confirmation link. They said that that would be is going to be the process. So I have not heard of that. I'll follow up and I will let you, um, both know about that. All right. And then Rosemary. Yes, I just wanted to announce that, um, I will be attending a, um, webinar on transportation this afternoon. It's being put out by the department of transportation. In Boston. And, uh, I did send the email around to others, um, suggesting if they were interested, they could attend also. But, um, I will definitely be there. So I'll make this, take some notes and make a little report next meeting. That's fantastic. I really do appreciate that. Um, and, um, yes, I think that really helps us. And, uh, and I appreciate the initiative, um, that Rosemary's shown in this and welcome that sort of initiative. Um, as well among all council members. Um, okay. Um, I, I also included, uh, then, um, my, my, I proposed the dates actually looking ahead for the next council and aging meetings. And, um, uh, as November 12th and December 10th. Um, and, uh, I just wanted to share that, um, I have my, my, my husband is going in for major surgery, um, for hip replacement, uh, in December, December 16th. And, um, so, uh, I, I haven't, um, so I haven't figured out exactly, um, more likely, uh, the, uh, I don't know what that was. Uh, but, uh, in terms of, let's say the meeting, the following meeting, uh, in January, but I know that we'll work it out and figure it out. I'm just, I'm sharing that. Um, I, I'd like to hear a motion for adjournment. If there is nothing else, um, any, no other matters that you bring before us. I mean, it could motion that we adjourn. And I need a second. I second the motion to adjourn. All right. Thank you. Okay. And our meeting is closed and thank you everyone for being. Around and present. All right.