Orleans COA Board Told Assistant Director Post Won't Be Funded in FY27

ORLEANS — January 28, 2026 — Orleans Council on Aging board hears that a requested assistant director position was cut from the FY27 budget. Director Judi Wilson, returning from personal leave, told the board at the January 28 meeting that her total FY27 budget request of $1,054,612 was submitted as an "as is" plan but that the assistant COA director position she sought was removed to keep the budget balanced; town administration plans to bring the request to the Select Board with a recommendation to seek funding through excess levy in the fall. Wilson also flagged an escalating problem with seniors living on private roads, where unplowed roads and overhanging trees have damaged COA vans — with the nearest capable tow truck in Hyannis — saying the COA will begin sending formal letters informing residents that road accessibility is their personal responsibility. Select Board liaison Andrea Reed said of isolated seniors on remote private roads: "I don't know that in the long run that we're really helping them — we're really enabling that." The board also took up new "Owl" meeting technology from Owl Labs that could allow it to return to the senior center while maintaining the public zoom access that prompted its move to Town Hall, with Wilson agreeing to consult IT staff and report back February 25.