HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-08 Council on Aging Minutes
Department of Elder Services Kathy Shelp, Director
Connecting our Community through Service, Experience and Advocacy
North Andover Council on Aging
North Andover Senior Center
March 8, 2022 @ 9:00 A.M.
Minutes
Attendance
Members Present: Laurence Smith {Chair}, David VanArsdale {Vice-Chair}, Quentara Costa {Interim-
Secretary}, Patricia Riley, Maria Rosati {Treasurer}, Tallie Abernathy, Jennifer Abou-Ezzi, Lucius
Michel, Dr. Harry Kaloustian, Heather Takesian, Eileen Elliot, Remo Zimbaldi
Absent: None
Others Present: Kathy Shelp, Director of Elder Affairs; Cahla Ahlstrom, Outreach Manager & Assistant
Director; Lya Morse, Program Coordinator; Denise Casey, Deputy Town Manager
Call to order: 9:02 AM
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Minutes of February 8: Correction: Dee was not in attendance at February’s meeting.
The February minutes were approved unanimously via roll call on a motion by Larry Smith and
seconded by Maria Rosati.
Senior Advocacy re: Lucius Michel:
Their first meeting was held during the month. It was decided to first focus on the issues related to RMV.
The ultimate goal would be to make the role of North Andover Senior Center a facilitator for future
concerns/issues and to serve as a point of information. It’s not clear, at this time, if it would be possible
for the senior center to also help resolve issues down the road.
Action items for group:
Include a notice in future newsletter to request experiences with RMV. Wording will indicate that
senior center is not offering remedies. This is simply a request for experiences and feedback to
help define the scope of advocacy needed. Responses can also serve as testimony. There is an
active bill related to improving the RMV. Potentially this can be used to further that cause.
Deadline for next newsletter is this coming Tuesday, so it makes sense to wait until May so it’s
wording can be well thought out.
Send a letter to local public officials to make them aware of the advocacy group and initiative
with the RMV. Specifically, site the concern of how the RMV conducts and decides on license
suspensions. Also the concern for how little time is provided and the limited options there are for
a senior to respond.
A draft of the letter has been provided to the COA for review and approval.
North Andover Elder Services 120R Main Street North Andover MA 01845
978.688.9560 www.northandoverma.gov kshelp@northandoverma.gov
Kathy wants to make the point that this is a collaborative effort with the RMV. We’re not “going after
them.”
Who is our point person on this letter for replies. It was decided it would be Lucius unanimously.
Who sends the letter. We’re thinking it could be from a general COA email. The email is
coaemails@northandoverma.gov. Quentara is testing this box to see who’s monitoring it as we wouldn’t
want responses to go to a black hole. We also have to decide on stationary.
Larry Smith calls a motion to approve the letter pending response and stationary selection, it was
approved unanimously.
Bylaw update, David VanArsdale:
A few changes have been made to comply, including but not limited to:
-Removal of treasury position since we can’t operate an account
-Better define role of associate members and Director of Elder Services
-Better define role of COA board
-Update titles that have changed over time (ie: selectboard vs selectmen)
-Update names of local resources (ie: Age Span)
-Update membership process
Action Items:
-For the board to review and make comments to Dave directly so they can be presented at the next open
meeting
Discussion:
Harry proposes we have a vision statement added to the bylaws. Kathy says traditionally this doesn’t go
into the bylaws but could certainly be created separately. Harry also proposes an annual report that
benchmarks our actions against our goals. Kathy says annual reports are created for senior center and we
also have the strategic plan. There is nothing specific for the COA.
Quentara proposed the secretary could review the minutes at year-end and put together a log of
accomplishments for the year. Dave says that’s possible to add as a duty within the bylaws.
We can also include in our bylaws how often we want to review them for updates.
Senior Center Updates, Kathy Shelp
North Andover conference on aging, June 24-25. Keynote speaker available those dates Ted Reinstein
from Chronicle Friday’s conference will be in the afternoon with a dinner. Saturday’s will be morning
sessions. Keynote is Jennifer Fitzpatrick. She’s an author who wrote a book on caregiving, and also has
some North Andover roots. This is considered a practice run. In the new building the idea is to run an
annual expo with vendors that help seniors remain home.
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Senior Center is working with Lawrence schools on creating a logo design. Deadline is March 18. They
will work with provided tagline, keywords, colors, etc.
Podcast initiative in place related to caregiving, housing, recreation.
North Andover Elder Services 120R Main Street North Andover MA 01845
978.688.9560 www.northandoverma.gov kshelp@northandoverma.gov
Both drivers have been hired and they’re very pleased with both: Eduardo Fernandez and Jim Long
Floor plans for new senior center handed out and discussed. It’s about 13,000 sq ft and 2 levels. That’s
double what the center has now. Looking to add a pickleball court but may be done after the fact. It’s
been very popular. There is not much outdoor space, just a small patio. Friends are going to start a
fundraising campaign for extras (like pool table, washer/dryer). The $100k from Amazon isn’t going as
far right now as it was anticipated.
Accreditation process: Our intent to become accredited has been filed and paid for. We have a year from
that point. The hope is it’s approved and can be announced when the center is relocated to the new site.
Adjournment at 9:57 A.M., by a motion by Maria, unanimously approved.
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