COA Board Delays Elections, Hears Elevator Repair Plan
Billerica's Council on Aging board tables chair election over conflict-of-interest worry, hears $1M repair wish list.
COA · Meeting of September 9, 2026
Billerica's Council on Aging board tables chair election over conflict-of-interest worry, hears $1M repair wish list. Facilities Director Bob Salese told the board the senior center's roughly 50-year-old elevator needs a $206,000 to $350,000 overhaul, plus a $150,000 window project and a $20,000 to $25,000 fire alarm panel, calling the elevator "a top priority." The board tabled officer elections after member Carol objected to nominee John Pellegrino chairing the board while still a part-time COA employee, saying "I personally think it's a conflict of interest." Board members debated temporarily relocating programs to the town's vacant former recreation building versus leasing commercial space, with one member pushing to "get a million dollars" allocated and another favoring a lease instead. A resident also used public comment to accuse the director of disposing of 30 shelves of donated books without board notice, calling it a failure of "ethical stewardship of assets." A subcommittee reported an ongoing petition drive for a new senior center at Swanson Meadows, continuing through December 31.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,653 words
Source: the COA meeting of September 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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