HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-08 Council on Aging Minutes North Andover Council on Aging
Virtual Meeting(via Google-Meet)
September 8, 2020 @ 9:00 A.M.
Minutes
Members Present: Quentara Costa,John Graham,Joseph McCarthy,Maria Rosati {Treasurer},Patricia Riley,
Larry Smith {Chair}, Tracy Shea {Secretary},David VanArsdale {Vice-Chair}
Others Present: Irene O'Brien, Senior Center Director, Denise Casey,Deputy Town Manager
Absent: Jennifer Abou-ezzi
Call to order: 9:02 AM
Roll call& Governor's Notice for Opening Meetings/Virtual Meetings read by Larry Smith
Minutes of the July 2020 meetings were approved; motion by Jack Graham, second by Maria Rosati.
Discussion topics:
We heard a brief introduction from Jack and Irene who were not present at the July meeting. Each took a couple
minutes to tell the Board about themselves.
Denise Casey mentioned that the cancelation of the August COA meeting was due to an administrative error and
apologized to the group.
Denise also mentioned that a general contractor,Castagna Construction of Danvers,MA,has been selected by the
town for the new senior center construction. Currently, one tenant remains on the property site and will need to
move. At this point,per the Governor's office,there cannot be any evictions at the current time so that process is
at a stand-still for the time being.
Irene O'Brien provided the board with a synopsis of the senior center growth from 2002 until today. Maria Rosati
asked if a copy could be distributed to the Board and Irene started she would have it sent out.
Larry covered what it means to be on the Board of the COA and referenced the By-Laws along with the
committees. The Council on Aging has four purposes:
1. Advisory Body to North Andover Elder Services Department.
2. To identify the needs of North Andover older residents.
3. Promote and Support programs designed to support and assist the older adult.
4. To act as an advocate for the older adult in local, state, and federal levels.
Larry mentioned that the work of the Council is done in two ways: (a)through its committees and(b)through the
Council on Aging meetings. We will cover those further at our next meeting.
Nominating Committee. Larry suggested that we should think about the talent we are looking for on the Board
and seek out qualified individuals. Maria Rosati reported that the committee believes that resident,Joseph Nahill,
would be a good candidate for the Board. He was the Director of Public Relations at Merrimack College and has
had fifty plus years in public relations. Maria moved that we suggest that the Select Board appoint Joseph Nahill
to the Council on Aging. The motion was seconded by Joseph McCarty and was passed unanimously.
Quentara Costa suggested that the Council would benefit from having a member with expertise in psychology and
social work, and there was agreement with this. Everyone was asked to suggest possibilities to the Nominating
Committee.
Quentara also mentioned that during this covid-19 isolation period, seniors are the most vulnerable and Irene
agreed. Irene and staff are trying to offset this problem with additional community outreach programs and her
team would love any input or suggestions from the Board.
Joseph McCarthy gave an update from the Tax Abatement Committee and stated that the software that they were
hoping to rollout will be postponed at this time. He will report more as details arise.
Joseph McCarty, Chair of the N.A. Board of Health,offered us some current data dealing the COVID-19
pandemic. Joe prepared a summary for dissemination to the Board.
Adjournment.A motion was made to adj ourn at 10:11 AM by Dave VanArsdale and seconded by Joseph
McCarthy and passed unanimously.
Minutes approved at the Council on Aging meeting on October 13, 2020.