The Harwich Council on Aging is facing a critical volunteer shortage, seeking at least five new medical drivers to maintain essential transportation services for the town’s older residents. Director Julie Wescott reported that while a new part-time staff driver has been hired to replace a recent departure, the reliance on volunteers remains a cornerstone of the department's operations. Wescott noted that Harwich is among only half of the Councils on Aging on the Cape to offer such medical transportation, calling it a vital but unmet need in many neighboring communities. Chair Richard Waystack emphasized the importance of quantifying the need to the public, stating, When you quantify it and say we need five drivers, it's good for people to talk about it. It's a consistent need.

The transportation update comes as the department prepares for the upcoming Town Meeting on May 4 and 5. Due to a schedule change this year, Town Meeting will begin at 6:00 PM rather than 7:00 PM. The Council on Aging will provide shuttles to the high school, though Wescott noted that wheelchair-accessible transport may be limited to specific vehicles. Board member Angie Chilaka raised concerns about logistics for seniors once they arrive at the high school, asking, Since it's usually the elderly that attend, and parking can be far behind the high school, were they talking about getting a shuttle or golf carts? Wescott indicated the department would coordinate with the Town Clerk to ensure residents are accommodated.

The fiscal impact of the town's volunteer network was a focal point of the meeting, particularly as Harwich navigates a razor-thin property tax levy capacity. Waystack highlighted comments from the Select Board and Town Administrator James McGrail, noting that the COA’s volunteer hours equate to approximately two full-time equivalent employees. Two FTE is a substantial number budgetarily, Waystack said, adding that the recent volunteer luncheon celebrated Millie Callahan as Volunteer of the Year. Wescott announced plans to install a permanent wall plaque at the Community Center to honor a decade of Provost Award winners, ensuring long-term recognition for those who save the town significant operational costs.

The board also grappled with a growing demand for a vetted contractor and handyman list for seniors. While the need for small-scale home repairs is high, the board remains cautious about municipal liability. Bob MacCready reported that the Friends of the COA are exploring how to address the gap, though he questioned the scope of the requests. I'm not sure what people are looking for—a kitchen redo or just replacing a fire alarm? MacCready asked, suggesting that for now, residents utilize platforms like Nextdoor for peer recommendations. Carol DeLina urged extreme caution in any formal vetting process, noting, You have to be real careful vetting them. There was an unfortunate incident with a handyman that turned out to be a predator toward older women. The board reached a consensus to act as a source of the source by providing links to third-party review sites rather than maintaining an internal directory.

Efforts to increase outreach and awareness of the Council's programs are moving toward digital and intergenerational partnerships. Program Specialist Rosa Wright presented social media statistics, explaining that posts featuring residents and staff receive the highest engagement. Meta tracks the amount of time you waver over a post, Wright said, encouraging board members to comment on posts to boost the department's visibility. Waystack suggested adding an I have an idea button to the town website to harvest resident talents, such as woodworking or reclamation classes. Sheila House proposed expanding partnerships with Cape Cod Tech, suggesting, I imagine construction students teaching seniors basic 101 things they can fix. I know teachers want the kids to do more community service.

Technology support remains a high-demand service, with the department scheduling new summer classes to help seniors navigate everything from software updates to scam prevention. Wescott noted that a new drop-in tech clinic will begin on Friday mornings in May. Board members also discussed the persistent issue of spam calls and digital security. Waystack shared that he recently received 15 PayPal scams in a two-week period, highlighting the need for education. Regarding landlines, Linda Rogers recalled that The library used to have 'Power Hours' where you bring your computer in if you have a problem, which Wescott confirmed is still an active resource for the community on Thursdays.

Finally, the board received a report on the joint facilities meeting regarding the Community Center's long-term space needs. A tour of the basement revealed that storage is currently at capacity for the COA, Recreation, and Youth departments. Waystack noted that expansion within the current footprint is unlikely, stating, We aren't expanding down; we'd have to expand out. He described the basement as well-organized but packed, joking that it revealed the hoarders we have in Town Hall, while underscoring that the space cannot be converted into functional program areas. Department heads are now exploring a shared digital communication group to better coordinate building-wide events and avoid scheduling conflicts. During the public portion of the meeting, tech staffer Caleb confirmed there was no comment from the gallery.