HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-10 Council on Aging Minutes North Andover Council on Aging
Monthly Meeting via Google Meet&Conference Call
November 10,2020 @ 9:OOAM
Minutes
Present: Jennifer Abou-ezzi, Quentara Costa,John Graham,Joseph McCarthy,Joseph Nahil,Maria Rosati {Treasurer},
Patricia Riley,Larry Smith {Chair},Tracy Shea {Secretary},David VanArsdale {Vice-Chair}
Absent: N/A
Other Attendees: Irene O'Brien,North Andover Sr. Center Director, Cahla Ahlstrom, Outreach Manager&Assistant
Director
Call to order: 9:04 AM
Roll call& Governor's Notice on Open Meeting/Virtual Meeting; read by Larry Smith
Secretary's Report:
Minutes from the October 13, 2020 meeting were accepted unanimously by the Board from a motion made by Dave
VanArsdale and seconded by Maria Rosati.
Discussion:
The Chair of the Board,Larry Smith introduced our newest member Joseph Nahil. Joseph introduced himself to the Board
and gave a brief history on his past volunteer service with the N. Andover Senior Center.
Dave VanArsdale gave an update on the Finance Committee, and let the group know he will be Chair of that committee.
In the coming weeks,Dave will be reaching out to the Friends Group to discuss fund raising efforts on their part and he
will act as our Friends liaison for the time being. Additionally,Dave will be reaching out to Irene O'Brien to talk about
the annual budget for the Senior Center.
Irene O'Brien gave an update on the Senior Center and let the Board know it has been shut down for the past two and a
half weeks for early voting. Staff have been working on the second level of the Senior Center or from their home. Food
deliveries have started again. A donation from Market Basket for 2,500 delivery bags was gifted to the Senior Center. A
community development meeting with Royal Crest will be held to discuss a potential project for five or ten years down
the road. Irene mentioned that Lya Morse was nominated for a Latino Caucus Group from the state house. Irene stated
that Lya and Jose are the only staff members of the Senior Center who speak Spanish. This has been a tremendous benefit
to the Center and allows them to support more members of the community. Per Irene,the accidental food bank is not
operational at this time however a member of the community has reached out to her asking her what items we more
requested and they were going to try and gather food donations. The annual Thanksgiving dinner at the Senior Center
would not take place this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Cahala Ahlstrom stated that she has been setting up meetings for people that wish to have a consultation with one of the
SHINE councilors. The community outreach program continues to be consulting over the telephone. In home visits have
not resumed at this time.
Larry mentioned that we still have three vacancies on our council and thought someone who had a background in social
work would be a great fit. Joseph Nahil mentioned a potential member,Debbie Hope, and would reach out to see if she
had any interest in joining the Board.
Maria Rosati asked Joseph Nahil if he would like to join the Nominating Committee and he stated that he would reach out
to her to discuss. Larry stated that the Marketing Committee needs some help and suggested consideration of that
committee; Larry will send Joe Nahil information on all the committees.
Irene asked Jospeh Nahil if it were possible to have an article for the Eagle Tribune and he said he would work on it. Irene
mentioned the article in the Tribune would notify seniors in the community that they are open and available for those that
need food assistance.
Irene shared some exciting news that the Senior Center has been approved for a capital improvement from the N. Andover
Board of Selectmen for the purchase of a new van. The current van in use that will be retired is from 2006.
Joe McCarthy, Council on Aging member and Chair of the N. Andover Board of Health gave the Board and update of
COVID-19 and the impact to N.Andover.
Dave VanArsdale asked if there was a copy of the Friends Group By-Laws. Irene O'Brien stated she had a copy and could
send Dave a copy. Dave stated that upon receipt of the By-Laws,he would scan and then send a copy to Larry.
Tracy asked if the Board may want to consider an 8:30AM start to the meeting going forward to devote an hour and a half
to each meeting. With the technological challenges via the online meeting presence,it can take up time from the actual
meeting time allotted. Larry will send out a poll to the group and request feed-back.
Next meeting to be held December 8, 2020.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:06AM with a motion made by Maria Rosati, seconded by Tracy Shea and approved
unanimously by the Board.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy A. Shea, Secretary