ERVING — The town is developing a policy manual for the Erving Senior & Community Center in an attempt to clarify and formalize practices and expectations for visitors, patrons and staff members.
The Selectboard first weighed in on the draft policy in August, presented by Town Administrator Bryan Smith and Senior Center Director Dulcie McAndrews. Following initial feedback from the Selectboard, the board conducted a second reading of a revised policy on Monday that incorporated the board’s feedback, along with resident feedback regarding the “Appropriate Attire” section.
According to Smith, the public feedback on that section pertained to the subjectivity of the language when it comes to the expectation that no clothing be worn with any discriminatory or offensive language, imagery or logos. There was also concern around another part of that section, that clothing that is too tight or revealing should not be worn.
In creating the policies guiding the Senior & Community Center, Smith said this manual will make the expectations clear. While not identifying a specific incident or incidents, he noted that issues have arisen at the center where visitors have questioned their ability to feel comfortable participating in an activity due to the presence of another visitor.
“We want our patrons, once they start signing up and attending, to have the opportunity to know upfront what these expectations are, and ask questions and get clarity from the beginning,” he said, “as opposed to maybe have these instances happen after several weeks or months, and then having issues arise where they now question whether or not they’re welcome.”
Smith told the Selectboard that the town respects freedom of speech and understands that clothing worn in the center should be comfortable. The goal is to balance these interests while curtailing a potentially uncomfortable situation related to someone’s attire that is not representative of the “purpose or spirit” of what the center is offering.
Selectboard member Jacquelyn Boyden said the issue with the language of the clothing policy is the level of interpretation that it leaves open.
“Usually when you have some sort of dress code, it’s very specific,” Boyden noted, giving examples of dress codes that could be used as a model. “This is way too vague.”
Smith added that this policy does not aim to be political in nature or restrictive of free speech while also addressing what is “in the universe” of being harassing or discriminatory.
Boyden pointed out an option for a potential definition section, similar to how town bylaws are written, but noted she’d be comfortable striking the line on the tight or revealing clothing. Smith noted that the policy has been referred to town counsel for review.
Further recommendations
Referring back to the August reading of the draft policy, the Selectboard then discussed the policy on donations and gifts to the Senior & Community Center, specifically about how it is decided whether to accept a donation and who should weigh in on it. There was also discussion of community members making donations through their wills.
Boyden raised the question about the level of involvement that the Council on Aging should have in the policy. However, the Council on Aging is only operating with one member, and both Smith and McAndrews wanted input from the Selectboard on what involvement the council will have in the policy.
Additional recommendations from the Selectboard related to information on how weather-related closings are shared with the community, language in the volunteer section that clarifies the logistics of becoming and being a volunteer, and the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Program. Members also voiced the belief that the manual should have a tone that is inviting while still being affirmative in its expectations.
As for the estate planning comments the Selectboard made, Smith said this is something town counsel is researching to see how other municipalities legally handle these types of donations that may come to the center.
To read the draft policy manual, view the meeting materials from Monday’s meeting at erving-ma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09212026-633. The draft policy begins on the sixth page.
