ORANGE — It appears the Council on Aging’s director may have been improperly hired 11 years ago, but the Selectboard has decided to maintain the status quo, at least for now.
Tracy Gaudet addressed the Selectboard last week to discuss the van that the agency acquired through a state grant and a former member’s final will and testament, as well as to ask board members to adopt a fee amount for rides. But Gaudet also voiced concern about a new uncertainty regarding whom she answers to.
“I’ve been here 11 years as director. Just this week, I was informed by a resident who attended the board meetings that the … COA board is actually who directs me. I was unaware of that,” she said. “I have, for the past 11 years, reported to the town administrator and [have] been directed by whoever was administrator.
“I need some clarity on who exactly is directing my activities, what I’m doing,” Gaudet continued. “Who do I report to?”
Town Administrator Matthew Fortier explained that the town established a Council on Aging in 1975, and state statutes indicate the COA’s board of directors appoints staff, but there is nothing explicit in Orange’s bylaws.
“I’m not aware that Tracy Gaudet was hired with a job description, and I think she was hired by the town administrator at the time under a guise of power that didn’t actually exist,” Fortier told Selectboard members. “So, essentially, the town administrator hired the Council on Aging director many years ago, though, really, the hiring power was vested in the Council on Aging board for staff. The board itself is appointed by the Selectboard.
“That would mean that the Council on Aging board is the policy and hiring committee for Council on Aging staff,” he continued. “The Selectboard’s involvement with Council on Aging matters would be limited to appointing the COA board members.”
Fortier stressed that he does not believe any COA staff members are in jeopardy of losing their jobs simply because the COA director was hired by a town administrator.
New Selectboard member Kelli Gervais suggested sticking to the status quo for now, and noted that the town charter is expected to take effect later this year. The charter will ultimately lead to changes in the town government’s structure.
In discussing the new van with the Selectboard, Gaudet said the Council on Aging acquired it with the help of a $25,000 Massachusetts Councils on Aging grant as well as Orange resident Thalma A. Wright, who died in 2013 and left the agency $20,000 in her will.
“I think that’s the most generous thing that I have ever experienced,” Gaudet said.
She was joined at the Selectboard meeting by van driver Joanne “Jodi” Walker, who was hired about a month ago. The two explained that the van’s schedule is based on demand. The van can pick up clients at their homes, as opposed to a bus stop, and bring them to appointments, events, voting polls and other destinations. Fees were set during the Selectboard meeting at $1.50 one way and $3 round-trip.
“Our goal in setting these fees will help us sustain, to the best of our ability, the bus’ expenses, including driver’s salary,” Gaudet said. “I will continue to look for grants wherever I can.”
Walker said the seniors she has picked up are more than happy to pay a small fee, and many offer to contribute even more.
“I think this is one of the greatest things for these seniors, and I’m real happy to do it,” she said.
Donations can be made to the Council on Aging by contacting Gaudet at 978-544-3481.
