HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil on Aging Minutes 10-12-2021
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North Andover Council on Aging
North Andover Senior Center
October 12, 2021 @ 9:00 A.M.
Minutes
Attendance
Members Present:Quentara Costa {Interim-Secretary}, Eileen Elliot, Patricia Riley, Maria Rosati {Treasurer},
Laurence Smith {Chair}, David VanArsdale {Vice-Chair}, Tallie Abernathy, Jennifer Abou-ezzi, Heather
Takesian, Remo Zimbaldi
Absent:Denise Casey, Deputy Town Manager
Others Present: Kathy Shelp, Director of Elder Affairs;Cahla Ahlstrom, Outreach Manager & Assistant
Director; Lya Morse, Program Coordinator; Dr. Harry Kaloustian (public); Barbara Driscoll (Friends group)
Call to order: 9:00 AM
Roll call was read by Larry Smith.
Minutes: The September minutes were approved unanimously via roll call on a motion by Jennifer
Abou-ezziand seconded by Maria Rosati.
Discussion:
Quentara Costa, update re: Nominating committee:
Open Positions 1 stand-by (non-voting)
Roles, Secretary Vacant
well known in this area, as was his wife (who was an attorney in town). I explained that the minimum
role at table events, senior center events, and any other fundraising or awareness efforts. He completely
availability. We let him know that right now we only have a non-voting position on the board, but that
bother him. While I am looking to get someone with marketing experience on the board to help Lya and another
pursuit we have, I hate to not move forward with Harry given his network of contacts and willingness to help
with events.
Cahla Ahlstrom, updatere: Senior Center:
Cahla is pleased to announce a partnership with a Residential Service Coordinator to spend 2-3 days at three of
the North Andover senior housing. The service is to figure out opportunities for social engagement, community
building, health and wellness, and art. She will also coordinate with elder services to create a 101 to educate
residents of community on what services are available to them.
Also, there was a personal win for a senior in town. There was an interdepartmental collaboration within town to
work was started but not complete. Rent was also increased by $500+/mo. Cahla was able to get zoning/health
involved to help make the situation right.
Lya Morse, update re: Programing:
Lya started a Programs Reports which was passed around. So far very positive feedback on new
programming. Pickleball has also proved to be very popular and is an interdepartmental effort with the
ge 60+.
Kathy Shelp, update re: Metrics:
Kathy took the council through a review of budget line items. Noted issue of negative within the
revolving budget that needs to be rectified.
Pickleball, considered a fitness line item, will eventually have a fee, potentially annual, which will help
fund the sport and maybe beyond.
Dave asked about income sources. Kathy said some income comes from donations, Friends group,
Formula Grant, state.
Harry asked if the COA should help with the budget issues. Kathy gave an example that she will let us
know how she intends to spend the Formula Grant. If we disagree, we can advise on other options that
Manager, Deputy Manager, and town seniors. She would like to keep us informed of the budget, its
issues, and her ideas to improve/enhance.
has yet to be certified. If they start using 2020 at the $12 we stand to have more money. If they update
but decrease to $9/resident (which is possible), we stand to lose funding.
A position has opened due to someone retiring at the senior center. Kathy is not looking to fill the
position as she believes it can be absorbed by existing employees. The saved money will go to
supplement fitness and health education, as those programs are not carrying their own weight but are
too important to cut. They are hoping volunteers can also support the programs (such as laying lines for
Pickleball, etc).
No date for official groundbreaking of new senior center, but the buildings are down, and land needs to be
prepared.
We reviewed the new Program Registration Policy, Transportation Policy (even for pets of seniors that
need to go to vet clinic), and Photo/Media Policy.
Harry asked how we can better disseminate information about transportation services and
programming. Kathy agrees we need to enhance marketing via social media, post in religious centers,
newsletter.
Kathy asked if we move to accept the new policies presented. Motion by Dave VanArsdale to approve
and seconded by Maria Rosati.
Binders were provided to all COA members with current and relevant bylaw, budget, and accreditation
information.
Larry Smith and Kathy Shelp, final comments:
Larry voiced disappointment in selectmen not coming to the COA meetings and general lack of
communication from town management. Harry concurred that he asked the selectmen if they read the
is the Board of Advisors. Kathy responded that her role is to provide transparency on the budget where
we can advise as needed. Unanimously the board voiced opinions that the Selectmen need to outline the
create awareness of the center, etc.
Quentara brought up the fact that the intention was to have a marketing person be on the board to really
help with events, the newsletter, and social media. Quentara suggested that given the fact positions are
filled and we may not have an open position for a while, we could potentially tap an outside volunteer
from the high school and Merrimack College. Quentara also volunteered. And while yes, we can have
an official committee set-up, ultimately the purpose of the comment is to let senior center members
A can better determine how to help
with existing members or outside volunteers.
Kathy is hesitant to use outside volunteers because they may be off-brand with photos or wording, but I
think this is preventable by providing appropriate photos and allowing volunteers to pre-load posts for
the month that can be approved ahead of time.
-laws and asked Kathy to include it in the
town management. Kathy agreed that these problems, and ones we may not know about, can also be
identified by a needs assessment. This will all be a part of the strategic plan.
Adjournment at 10:30 A.M., by a motion by Dave VanArsdale, seconded by Jennifer Abou-ezzi, and
approved via roll call unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Quentara Costa, Interim-Secretary
North Andover Elder Services 120R Main Street North Andover MA 01845
978.688.9560 www.northandoverma.gov kshelp@northandoverma.gov