HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil on Aging Minutes 3-9-2021 North Andover Council on Aging
Virtual Meeting(via Google-Meet)
March 9th,2021 @ 9:00 A.M.
Minutes-Amended
Attendance
Members Present: Jennifer Abou-ezzi, Quentara Costa, John Graham, Joseph McCarthy,Joseph Nahill,
Maria Rosati {Treasurer},Patricia Riley, Laurence Smith {Chair}, David VanArsdale {Vice-Chair}
Absent: Tracy Shea {Secretary}
Others Present: Irene O'Brien, Director of Elder Services; Paula Lynch, Cahla Ahlstrom, Outreach
Manager&Assistant Director,Denise Casey, Deputy Town Manager
Call to order: 9:01 AM
Roll call& Governor's Notice on Open Meeting/Virtual Meeting was read by Larry Smith
Minutes: The previous meeting minutes were approved via roll call on the motion by Maria Rosati, seconded by
Joseph McCarthy.
Discussion:
COA Chair: Larry Smith
There are two new members in the council; Heather Ann Takesian and Eileen Donovan Elliot. Larry was
not sure if they have been sworn in just yet. Each member gave an introduction to the board.
This will be the last COA Board meeting for Irene O'Brien as she will be retiring from her role as
Director of Elder Services.
Miscellaneous updates from the Deputy Town Manager,Denise Casey:
The town has begun the recruitment process of a new Elder Services Director. At the current time,nine
candidates have applied for the position. Denise and the Town Manager welcome any feedback from the Board
regarding the potential candidate selection. Joseph McCarthy mentioned that there are very qualified individuals
internally that could fill the role. Joseph Nahill, agreed with Joseph McCarthy and stated stability for the seniors
with the people they already know would be desirable. Larry Smith recommended looking at the full job
description and The Friends by-laws and then review the full structure of the vacant position.
There is no update on the construction of the new senior center. The town is still waiting for an individual
to vacate the site before they can start any site work. Joseph McCarthy asked if they could start other work on the
site and work around that piece. Denise responded that the property is in such a position that it needs to be
vacated and torn down before they begin any site work. The builder has agreed to keep the construction cost static
until the tenant issued is resolved. A member asked if that meant materials and labor or labor only. Denise stated
she would inquire and report back. Joe Nahill questioned how the individual was able to remain on the property
and Denise stated that there is a Federal Mandate on evictions right now. Joseph McCarthy questioned,under a
worst case scenario,how long could the person remain on the property? Denise mentioned that she was not sure
when the Federal Mandate will be lifted.
There have been meetings with the senior center staff and the N.A Health Director. They have been
meeting to discuss strategies to safely re-open the center. They are discussing possible different ways to make it
as safe and secure for our seniors to return in small groups. They are trying to figure out what would be the best
programs to offer,how people would safely enter and exit the building along with social distancing from one
another. All non-perishable food items will be moved from the center because it takes up a majority of space in
their large activity room. Two organizations in N.A. have come forward who are interested in taking the food for
distribution. There are plans to paint some of the center and give it a refresh. There will be floor cleaning and
extra COVID cleaning. The town is trying to figure out what a reasonable date for re-opening would be. Joseph
Nahill asked if any volunteers were needed and Denise mentioned while the offer is appreciated,they had staff to
handle this task and ultimately want to limit the amount of people in the space.
Miscalculations Discussions:
Maria Rosati asked Denise Casey when she thought the Board could possibly meet in person. Denise was
not sure but would reach out to the N.A. Health Director and report back.
Covid Statistics updates were given from Joseph McCarthy. Please see attached summaries.
Joe McCarthy briefly mentioned the following options for future COA meetings ... a topic for further
discussion:
-Virtual Meetings to remain'as is',without showing people's faces on TV
-Virtual meetings showing people's faces on TV
-Meetings with COA members in the senior center... not televised, as in the past
-Meetings with COA members at the senior center... televised
-Meetings to be more consistent with other board meeting(i.e.,held and televised monthly about 7 PM from the
Select Board's meeting room). For this later type of meeting, we may want to trim board membership by natural
attrition. Also, a major change in meeting structure probably would require a change in the by-laws.
Joseph McCarthy mentioned that people in town age sixty-five or older should be fully vaccinated within
the next two months.
Jennifer Abou-ezzi asked Joe McCarthy if he knew from current COVID numbers how many were
attributed to Merrimack College. Joe was not sure.
Jennifer Abou-ezzi asked Joe McCarthy if there was an education program available for those in town
who are reluctant to get the vaccine. Joe stated that any individual who was reluctant for the shot could bring a
companion with them. Denise Casey mentioned that the town had dedicated employees to help register people.
Denise also mentioned that four cases of the virus were attributed to Merrimack College.
Joseph McCarthy mentioned that school teachers may get the vaccine before seniors. Joseph Nahill mentioned
that he was at Lawrence General Hospital and it looked as if they could have serviced more people. A member
stated that locations can only handle as many vaccines as they have.
Joseph McCarthy mentioned that teachers were going to be able to get the vaccine at the expense to the seniors. A
member stated that we lost a year of education and the kids need to get back to school. Joseph McCarthy replied
that without being vaccinated, seniors run the risk of dying.
Larry Smith solicited comments from Board members to say their good-byes to Irene O'Brien, which
many did. Irene thanked everyone and has appreciated all the efforts from the Board over her nineteen year tenure
with the Town of North Andover. She has such high regard for her staff at the center and was so grateful to have
them here in North Andover.
Adjournment at 09:50A.M.,by a motion by Joseph McCarthy, second by Dave VanArsdale and approved via
roll call unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy A. Shea, Secretary