HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil on Aging Minutes 2-9-2021 North Andover Council on Aging
Virtual Meeting(via Google-Meet)
February 09, 2021 01 9:00 A.M.
Minutes
Attendance
Members Present: Jennifer Abou-ezzi, Quentara Costa, Joseph McCarthy, Maria Rosati {Treasurer},
Patricia Riley, Tracy Shea {Secretary},Laurence Smith {Chair},David VanArsdale {Vice-Chair}
Absent: John Graham
Absent [Excused}: Joseph Nahil
Others Present: Irene O'Brien,Director of Elder Services; Cahla Ahlstrom, Outreach Manager&
Assistant Director,Paula Lynch,Administrative Secretary, Denise Casey,Deputy Town Manager of
North Andover
Call to order: 9:04 AM
Roll call& Governor's Notice on Open Meeting/Virtual Meeting was read by Larry Smith
Minutes: Approved unanimously by roll call.
Discussions:
Tax Abatement Committee: Quentara Costa
Quentara was able to speak with Town Assessors Office and they were very amicable with moving the tax
abatement project forward. The Assessors Office is going to inquire among other towns for a template for those
towns that may have done a similar project. If they are unsuccessful in locating a template,they will have the
town IT person build a template. They will reach back out to Quentara soon with an update.
Senior Center Updates: Cahla Ahlstrom
Part of the 2021 goals for the Senior Center,was to form an internal team to organize and purge items that will no
longer be needed at the new building. Cahla has taken lead of this project and has developed a team to begin this
task. They have completed the attic space,three closets and have started on the back living room and storage.
These tasks have ben delegated to the part time staff. Cahla would like this project completed before they start
introducing people back into the building.
The meals on wheels program site coordinator had a medical emergency so she has not been able to be present at
the Center. A temporary person had been assigned to the role. They are also struggling to get volunteer drivers to
deliver meals. It has been a challenge time for them.
In clearing of some of the closest,they came across many hats and scarves. They distributed over 180 pieces
among three elementary schools in town.
The Brown Bag Program last week was cancelled and the February delivery date was moved to the following
Monday on 02/22. The March delivery will go out the following week.
The governor has allowed 40%occupancy in the Senior Center and they are trying to figure out a way to return
the staff to their desks and computers in a safe manner.
Food distributions have waned. They were allowing people to come to the door and pick up food,but have since
discovered many people were not North Andover residents. They have shifted and now ask that people phone the
Senior Center to make an appointment to pick up food. To date,no appointments have been requested.
Food donations from the town has dwindled. There is food available for distribution and the task at hand is how to
move it out the door to the people that need it.
Patricia Riley wanted to know if Cahla needed any help with the purging and organizing project and
could the building committee help them out. Cahla stated that she would reach out and let her know.
Question from Lawrence Smith to Denise Casey:
Is the town making any air modifications for air systems to clean the air?
Reply: Yes.
Question from Joseph McCarthy to Denise Casey:
Where do we stand with the town acquiring the parcel of land needed for our new Senior Center?
Reply: The tenant of the current owner of the Sutton Street property continues to live there. The owner
continues to assure the town that he will vacate within a couple of weeks,but they have been hearing that for a
while now. Still awaiting feed back to hear if they will sign the P&S agreement or if further revisions are
required. Fingers are crossed for a hopeful construction start in March.
Miscellaneous:Joseph McCarthy
Joseph McCarthy mentioned there is a training for people that serve on the board and it is very good. Irene
mentioned that is suspended right now due to COVID but usually offered each spring.
Joseph also mentioned that are 75+and computer literate, the MA Governor's website is very easy to use to
request an appointment. Or Seniors can contact the town at 978-208-6070 or call the state at 211.
Board of Health update:Joseph McCarthy
Joe also serves as the Chair of the North Andover Board of Health and he gave an update on the COVID-19
statistics locally and nationally. Please see the attached update.
Miscellaneous Topics: Irene O'Brien
Anyone that would like a ride to an appointment to get their vaccination, can contact the Senior Center and
request transportation through the N.E.E.T Program. Currently, there is no charge for this service.
There are lots of things to consider about safely re-opening the Senior Center. Irene and her team are looking at
multiple avenues to do this safely.
Irene is also asking the Board to consider any ideas they can think of for safely re-opening the Senior Center and
to please pass them along to her.
Per Irene, The Board of Selectmen, Melissa Rodrigues, Dee Casey and Lyne Savage presented the Senior Center
new budget and did an amazing presentation.
Miscellaneous:Jennifer Abou-ezzi
Jennifer mentioned that she was included in phase one to get her vaccine and on the day that she went, she waited
in line for well over an hour. She suggested that anyone going for their vaccine prepare accordingly.
Adjournment at 09:51 A.M.,by a motion by Joe McCarthy, second by Maria Rosati and approved unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy A. Shea, Secretary