HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil on Aging Minutes 8-10-2021 9
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North Andover Council on Aging
North Andover Senior Center
August 10, 2021 * 9:00 A.M.
Minutes
Attendance
Members Present: Laurence Smith {Chair}, David VanArsdale {Vice-Chair}, Quentara Costa
{Interim-Secretary}, Maria Rosati {Treasurer}, Eileen Elliot, Patricia Riley
Absent: Jennifer Abou-ezzi, Tallie Abernathy, Heather Takesian, Denise Casey, Deputy Town
Manager
Others Present: Kathy Shelp, Director of Elder Services, Cahla Ahlstrom, Outreach Manager &
Assistant Director, Lya Morse, Program Coordinator
Call to order: 9:00 AM
Roll call was read by Larry Smith.
Minutes: The July minutes were approved unanimously via roll call on a motion by Dave
VanArsdale and seconded by Maria Rosati.
Discussion:
Initiated by Larry Smith Ichairl:
Joseph Nahil has resigned from his seat (information given between meetings).
Larry's topic for today is about becoming an effective council rather than one that simply exists.
He's started this process by dissecting the COA bylaws and procedures to become a member of
the board.
Dave concurs with the notion, but doesn't agree that we're here to give management style
decisions simply because we're not here 5 days a week.
Quentara gives a point about why the process between COA and town may have fallen apart a
bit, and it's simply that Joe Sergi was more present at the center and more was likely done
verbally. Larry isn't here between meetings and relies on communication via e-mail, etc. This
process of communication should be ironed out better and shouldn't be built on the idea that if
you're here, you're privy to info and if you're not, you're left in the dark.
A second point is that Irene had always gone through a spreadsheet of stats with the board to let
us know about program participation, unmet needs, meals, etc. This paused when Irene left but I
expect it to reconvene. It was Kathy's questionnaire that alerted Quentara to the importance of
these stats and clued her in that potentially the primary job of the board to oversee these stats.
The board needs more instruction or resource in how to compare these stats to other senior
centers, verify them to be truthful, support the center to correct any deficits, etc.
Patricia agreed with Quentara's sentiment. Eileen is eager to help and look for ways to directly
help seniors.
North Andover Elder Services 120R Main Street North Andover MA 01845
978.688.9560 -www.--------rt ------ ------ove rm a.q-- v ks h e I p(cb-no rtha n d overm a.gov
Kathy let us know the COA's mission is one in the same as the senior center's statement. "Our
Mission is to advocate for older adults, to identify their needs, to meet their health, economic,
social and cultural needs, to encourage maximum independence and to improve their quality of
life."
In MA, the COA is separate from the senior center which is separate from elder services. The
state requires a COA but not necessarily a senior center. At a time, the COA could be the same
as the senior center due to that requirement. But over time, it's evolved that most towns have a
senior center with a COA for advisory. Kathy feels our current bylaws need to be reformed to
reflect how the COA, town and senior center work together vs using default language that's
potentially irrelevant.
Kathy wants to give us numbers quarterly with a narrative behind the numbers so we have a full
understanding of the programming and how the senior's needs are being met. Kathy does not feel
the board needs to verify the numbers. We are not here as a checks and balances. We're here as
an advisory board. She will also keep us updated on what they find through questionnaires which
impact programs.
Larry disagrees that the bylaws are outdated. They've been recently reviewed and approved 2
years ago. But if they need to be changed, the selectmen need to change it and go to town
meeting. It's not right to simply disregard the current bylaws or for the senior center to change
them.
Kathy Shelp, update re: Accreditation Process and Senior Center:
Discusses marketing efforts, such as paperwork for seniors agreeing to be photographed within
the center. Standards and Governance paperwork is being created, which include by-laws, code
of ethics, committees, activities that require certificates and inspection, mission statement review
and annual budget. Next steps would be to review and revise the mission statement (if needed).
Senior Center is moving forward. It's been approved. Land officially acquired. Break ground in
October. Houses torn down in December. It will be a 14-month construction period.
Lya Morse, update re: Programming at Senior Center:
Everything has been reviewed and revamped. They are finalizing vendors, once done they'll let
us know all the updates. They've changed what the lecture series looks like and put in place
alternating programs for Mondays. They'll introduce documentaries, sprinkle in food options
during programs, and tie together themes throughout the month as they create programming.
They are currently preparing to organize events around Halloween and Thanksgiving. The Fall
newsletter will include all upcoming events and programming. The decisions related to these
changes are based on questionnaires sent out and participation pre-COVID.
Kathy added that registration for events has been streamlined so it's fair and available/accessible
to everyone at the same time.
Adjournment at 10:12 A.M., by a motion by Maria Rosati, seconded by Patricia Riley, and
approved via roll call unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Quentara Costa, Interim-Secretary