Rules and Regulations

Soliciting/Business Use
No commercial soliciting sales or business uses by individuals or groups are allowed. Inquiries regarding any other types of activities should be directed to the COA office in writing, which will be forwarded to the Town Manager's office for approval if necessary.

Bulletin Board Use
Approval by the COA office must be given before any bulletin board posting. No notices are to be posted on walls or doors. Not permitted are notices or signs for partisan politics, personal or religious purposes, or business profit (e.g., advertising items of services for sale, business cards, etc.) with the exception of materials relating to formal, informal or self-education. The written request of an organization to display its material within this public building must come to the COA Director for approval. Notices and sign displayed without approval will be removed and discarded. Obsolete notices and signs will be removed and discarded by staff if not removed by the responsible persons.

Storage Space

Temporary Refrigerator Space
Requests for Refrigerator for use by groups will be directed to the COA office. All articles will be labeled with the group's name. The COA will not be responsible for any articles left in the refrigerator.

General Storage Space
There is absolutely no storage space available for any group within the Senior Center.

Equipment
Equipment in activity areas, (such as the room divider, sound system, TV, VCR, kitchen appliances) may be used only by those who have been given prior permission by the COA office and understand any special operating instructions that may apply.

Office Equipment
Use of any COA office equipment (including phones, copies, fax machine, printer) will not be allowed unless permission is given by office personnel.

Trash Receptacles
Trash receptacles at the Senior Center, including the dumpster, are not for use by the general public. Only trash generated during the use of the building should be disposed of in the dumpster.

Spillage, Damage, or Potential Hazard
Any spillage, damage, or potential hazard should be reported immediately to the COA office. It is expected that persons will clean up after themselves in the general public area and bathrooms. Any areas that have had bodily fluids on them, even if cleaned up, need to be reported to the COA office for special disinfecting by maintenance.

Senior Center Comment Form
Those using the Senior Center are encouraged to fill out a Senior Center Comment Form to inform the COA office of problems with equipment, furniture or features of rooms or other issues, which need further attention.

Cars Left at Senior Center After Hours
If a senior's car will need to be left in the parking lot after hours, the COA office shall be notified.

Political Usage
The Senior Center may not be used for political purposes exclusive of meetings whereby spaces may be used for political meetings and gatherings only as previously described. Political materials and signs may not be left about the building unattended. The exception to this paragraph is on Election Day when all political activity in and about the Senior Center will be governed by federal and Commonwealth laws and regulations.

Personal Conduct
The following guidelines have been developed to help maintain harmonious relations for all users of the Senior Center. If these guidelines are violated, they will be handled by the staff and/or the Town Manager as necessary and may result in intervention or disciplinary action if required.

Personal Care
Each individual will be responsible for personal care, i.e., hygiene, toileting, continence, cleanliness, feeding. The Center is not responsible for providing assistance with personal care. Appropriate dress is always required in the building.

Appropriate Behavior
Each individual will understand and maintain appropriate behavior, i.e., no violent behavior or threats or violence, no disturbances or disruptions. Use common courtesy in interacting with other participants with respect for their property and persons.

Client Responsibility
Each individual will be reasonably oriented to access Senior Center activities. They will be able to independently plan and make decisions around service requests, including transportation, lunches and financial transactions.

Health Care
Each individual will be responsible for own health care, i.e., medications, special diets, medical appointments, emergency provisions. The COA is not responsible for providing assistance with medications and other personal health and/or medical care.

Personal Information Sheet
The COA recommends that each person involved in any activity complete a Personal Information Sheet at the desk. Any and all information will be kept confidential. Any senior who is injured at the Senior Center should fill out an Incident Report at the COA office, no matter how minor the injury.

Health/Medical Emergency
If immediate assistance for a health/medical emergency occurs, go to the Reception Desk and office staff will get help.

Alcohol and Illegal Substances
Alcohol and illegal substances are not allowed in or about the Center. Inebriated behavior will not be tolerated and staff will take appropriate action.

Gambling
No gambling is allowed, except when games involving money and chance are organized by user groups in compliance with the relevant rules and regulations of the state Lottery Commission.

Profanity
No profanity will be tolerated in the Senior Center.

Smoke Free Facility
The Senior Center is a smoke free facility. There is a designated smoking area outside the building. All smoking material must be put in the receptacles provided at the smoking area, or at the building entrances.

No Animals
No animals are allowed in the Senior Center except for assistance animals for the disabled. Such assistance animals must be leashed and be identified as an assistance animal. If pets or other animals are left in cars while patrons are using the Senior Center for extended periods of time, the Holden Animal Officer will be contacted.

Anyone having questions regarding these policies may bring them to the attention of the COA Office.