Ayer Council on Aging Finishes Self-Assessment, Sets Accreditation Groundwork

AYER -- February 10, 2026, Ayer's Council on Aging completed the final section of a multi-month internal self-assessment Tuesday, identifying action items and setting a goal of pursuing national accreditation once the new senior center at Bishop Road is open. Director Katie Pedone walked the board through standards covering records management, data security, and administrative policy, concluding that most requirements are met informally through the town's existing personnel handbook, collective bargaining agreement, and monthly director's reports. Key gaps identified included the absence of written refund and safety policies, no formal multi-year trend reporting, and limited promotion of operational data to the broader community. The board also discussed meals on wheels delivery numbers that dropped in January, with Pedone saying she had been unable to obtain wait list information or funding details from the regional coordinator, MOAC, despite repeated requests, leaving some qualifying Ayer residents waiting months for service. The new senior center building will include full access control, a security system, and a panic button on each floor, a building committee member confirmed.