Halifax COA Board Votes Unanimously to Recommend New Member John Lasky

HALIFAX -- April 21, 2026, Halifax Council on Aging board recommends new member, flags deep cuts if override fails. The board voted unanimously at its April 21 meeting to recommend John Lasky, active with the Generations fundraising group, to the Select Board for formal appointment, while Director Darlene reported the center's gifts and activities revolving account holds $5,553.57 and its transportation account holds $11,541.16. A separate GATRA reimbursement account had accumulated approximately $144,325.63 before a dedicated account was established; Darlene said she has asked the town accountant to transfer reimbursed wage amounts back to the COA budget but has not received confirmation. The center is down to one active van driver after a second driver went on medical leave, with a hiring freeze blocking any replacement posting. If the town's proposed override fails at the May 11 Town Meeting, Darlene's salary would be cut 50 percent and center hours reduced to roughly three days a week, a prospect the director called unlike anything she has seen in her career.