HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil on Aging Minutes 5-11-2021 North Andover Council on Aging
Virtual Meeting(via Google-Meet)
May 11t", 2021 @ 9:00 A.M.
Minutes
Attendance
Members Present: Jennifer Abou-ezzi, Quentara Costa, Eileen Elliot, Joseph McCarthy, Joseph Nahil,
Patricia Riley, Maria Rosati {Treasurer}, Laurence Smith {Chair},David VanArsdale {Vice-Chair}
Tracy Shea {Secretary}
Absent: Heather Takesian,
Others Present: Cahla Ahlstrom, Outreach Manager&Assistant Director,Denise Casey,Deputy Town
Manager&Interim Elder Services Director,Lya Morse, Senior Center Program Director
Call to order: 9:00 AM
Roll call& Governor's Notice on Open Meeting/Virtual Meeting was read by Larry Smith.
Minutes: The April minutes were approved unanimously via roll call on a motion by Dave VanArsdale and
seconded by Maria Rosati.
Discussion:
COA Chair: Larry Smith
A moment of silence was observed for John Graham who was a long-time member of the board.
Today is the first in person meeting in over a year.
New members were introduced and along with existing members, everyone gave a short bio about
themselves.
Larry had the group go through a relaxation exercise.
Updates from the Deputy Town Manager and Interim Elder Services Director,Denise Casey:
The town has hired a new Elder Services Director, Kathy Shelp. Kathy was most recently the Elder
Service Director for the Town of Groton. She will start her new position 06/14/21.
Joseph Nahil questioned how many people interviewed for the position and Denise replied that eight people
interviewed for the position.
As of right now,the P&S has not been signed for the new senior center. Denise mentioned to the board that they
could go on the town website and view the current moratorium about the subject. The project is on hold until the
next town meeting. If we should need to go back out to bid for the new Senior Center, it could end up costing the
town more money.
Updates from Lya Morse, Senior Center Program Director:
Center has been open since April 14'and they are currently having programs for small groups of 15 or
less. She has a copy of the May calendar with her to pass out that shows all the activities lined up and planned for
the month.
There will be another meeting with the health director soon to see about opening the center to larger
groups.
The have had some lecture series, chair yoga and have started some shopping trips.
Miscalculations Discussions:
Maria asked if we would be meeting at the Senior Center going forward and Denise stated we may
possibly meet at the NA CAM office on main street but will let us know.
Larry asked the group if they would like to move our meeting for June from June 8th to June 15th so that
we are able to meet the new director. Everyone was in agreement and our next meeting will be on 06/15/21,with
location to be decided.
Updates from Joseph McCarthy on COVID Statistics:
Updates given from Joseph McCarthy. Please see attached summary. Joe mentioned this month will be
his last Board of Health COVID update to the group.
Adjournment at 10:00 A.M.,by a motion by Joseph McCarthy, seconded by Joseph Nahil and approved via roll
call unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy A. Shea, Secretary