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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-13 Council on Aging Minutes North Andover Council on Aging Virtual Meeting(via Google-Meet) October 13,2020 @ 9:00 A.M. Minutes Attendance Members Present: Jennifer Abou-ezzi, Quentara Costa, John Graham, Joseph McCarthy, Maria Rosati {Treasurer}, Patricia Riley, Laurence Smith {Chair},David VanArsdale {Vice-Chair} Others Present: Irene O'Brien, Director of Elder Services; Denise Casey,Deputy Town Manager; Cahla Ahlstrom, Outreach Manager&Assistant Director Absent: Tracy Shea Call to order: 9:02 AM Roll call& Governor's Notice on Open Meeting/Virtual Meeting was read by Larry Smith Minutes of the September 8, 2020 meetings were approved on motion by Dave VanArsdale, second by Maria Rosati. Updates The Chair noted that the three summer months are behind us, fall is beginning, and this is a good time to have Council and Elder Affairs updates as the Covid-19 related restrictions, including suspension of normal Senior Center activities and Town Hall operations continue. Nominating Committee Maria Rosati—We have suggested to the Select Board that Joseph Nahil be appointed to the Council on Aging and are waiting to hear from someone about that. There are presently four vacancies on our Council, and we are asking for recommendations, especially people with expertise in psychology and social work. Finance Committee—Maria Rosati We've decided we would like to have one more member for our committee. We will then choose a chair and proceed with our work. Tax Abatement Committee Joe McCarthy Joe announced he is resigning as Chair and moved that the Council approve the committee recommendation of Quentara Costa to be the new Chair. The motion was seconded by Maria and approved unanimously. Building Committee Patricia The committee is reviewing space needs regarding current and future operations. Groundbreaking on the new Senior Center is on hold. There is a tenant on the site and a current statewide freeze on evictions due to the Covid-19 emergency. Irene reported that Community Development is hopeful that construction will be able to begin within the next six months. Friends of the Senior Center, Inc. Irene reported that with the Town Hall and Senior Center closed during the Covid-19 Pandemic emergency,the Friends has not held meetings recently. Senior Center Staff Update Irene& Cahla Food Service Irene—Food security is important for brain health and well-being and a lot of our work during this pandemic addresses that need. Request for food donations this week resulted in 303 pieces of food items coming in, and they it all were distributed, 120 bags for direct delivery. We have plenty of refrigerator room but we need small-containers,not large ones that need to be broken-down into smaller units for individual delivery. Early voting is taking over the nutrition site, so we won't have room for larger volumes until after voting. We've moved all food into one end of the building and into the computer lab. We can still access food people can call and we deliver. At housing sites,we meet seniors at van and hand them a bag. Outreach Cahla. We're doing a lot of telephone outreach and food delivery. The feedback we're getting is that the food distribution is very much appreciated; it is difficult for many people to get out. I like going out to the housing, the 1-1 contact is critical. Social contact is important. Our workers are appreciated; Jose is popular. I'm proud of our people. Soft Opening—Irene People ask about the Senior Center reopening, even a"soft opening,"but it's not going be happening now. We do what we can by phone and our outreach activities but we can't handle in-building services safely now. Foot Doctor and Hearing Doctor feel it's too risky. We don't have spacing for proper social distancing,nor are we able to have a nurse at the door to check people. The Chair noted that he felt the staff is doing a great job serving the town in these uncertain, continuously changing, and difficult times brought about by the Covid-19 Pandemic and we all appreciate that cooperation, dedication, and good work. Other Business Early Voting—in North Andover is in the Senior Center, October 17 to Noon on Friday, October 30th Town Commission for Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Dave VanArsdale, Council on Aging Liaison&Denise Casey This new Town commission is beginning to be organized and a meeting will be held very soon. Board of Health update Joe McCarthy, Council on Aging member and Chair of the North Andover Board of Health gave a brief update of the Covid-19 matters in town. Adjournment at 10:OOA.M., motion by Dave VanArsdale, second by Maria, approved unanimously.