LEYDEN — With the Selectboard’s recent approval of five short-term appointments, the Council on Aging now has five new members and only two remaining vacancies.

Amy St. Clair, Nannette Rolstad, Virginia “Ginny” Rockwood, Chris Maguire and Meredith “Merry” Lein will be reappointed at the end of June for rotating terms that will begin July 1. Selectboard member Katherine DiMatteo said the short-term appointments allow the COA members, who now have a quorum to meet, to organize and select officers, while also deciding whether they wish to serve one-, two- or three-year terms.

“This conforms to the procedure the Selectboard is following to make appointments or reappointments for all committees with open seats in June so that the terms begin at the same time, July 1, in line with the fiscal year,” she said.

The seven former COA members resigned effective Jan. 27, citing a perceived lack of support from town officials amid a conflict with a resident the council members claimed was disparaging of its work. Although there was initial consideration of bringing the involved parties together in an executive session, the Selectboard — with Bill Glabach abstaining because his wife, Mary, served on the COA — ultimately voted to approve the resignations due to the “frustration that was expressed” in the resignation letters.

With about 47% of Leyden’s population of 734 people being 65 or older, according to DiMatteo, senior services are essential in town. The five members who have been newly appointed to the COA hope to support these residents.

Of the new members, Maguire used to be a special education administrator for the Pioneer Valley Regional School District, but retired in 2020. She’s a Medicare counselor with the SHINE program (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone).

Maguire said she’s committed to the COA and wants to help with providing services to Leyden’s seniors.

“There’s a large number of us in town that are getting older,” Maguire said. “It’s a needed service and they need people to be on the council in order to work with grants, setting up things in town [and] services.”

Lein said she joined the COA because she has been thinking about taking on a town-related role, and she thought “it would be a great way to get better acquainted with seniors in town.” Lein used to be part of the Cultural Council around 15 or 20 years ago, but hasn’t been on a committee since then.

“I’d like to get to know more people,” she said. “I just want to contribute.”

Mentioning the former COA members, Lein said she wants to continue offering monthly meals and presentations while also developing other services such as technology training, support groups, wellness programs, transportation and socialization opportunities.

“It’s a great committee,” Lein commented. “I’m looking forward to caring for the community.”

St. Clair, who was a member of the COA about 10 years ago and served for four years, previously said that after the COA members resigned, “I thought I would come back and see if I could pursue what interests me, like the outreach of building community.” For several years, St. Clair has been running the informal group Neighbors Helping Neighbors, through which volunteers help seniors with shoveling, transportation and “whatever they need.”

Since the former COA members resigned, DiMatteo has led an advisory committee that helped continue senior luncheons while also planning for new services and sharing recommendations for programming. DiMatteo said the advisory committee will continue to meet until June 30.

Upcoming senior programs

On Wednesday, May 10, at 11 a.m. at Town Hall, a presentation called “Story of Leyden” will be offered by the Historical Commission, followed by a free hot meal at 11:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome.

On May 14 and May 28, the Historical Commission will host “Coffee and History” from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Town Offices. For more information, call COA Assistant Linda Allis at 413-834-4417.

]]>