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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-10 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 May 10, 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}, Jennifer Abou-ezzi, Lucius Michel, Dr. Harry Kaloustian, Eileen Elliot, Remo Zimbaldi, Tallie Abernathy Absent: Heather Takesian Others Present: Kathy Shelp, Director of Elder Affairs; Cahla Ahlstrom, Outreach Manager & Assistant Director; Lya Morse, Program Coordinator; Paula Lynch, Administrative Secretary Call to order: 9:00 AM Roll call was read by Larry Smith. Minutes: The April minutes were approved unanimously via roll call on a motion by Larry Smith and seconded by Dave VanArsdale. Upcoming town meetings: Dave VanArsdale: Dave recommends taking the opportunity to review town meeting report which gives an update on what the COA has done throughout the year. It also addresses many points on the upcoming town vote. FYI, fiscal year ends in June. Idea that has been discussed in the past has been to document accomplishments (likely by referring to minutes + notes from members) throughout the year to allow the chair to write up a year-end review. This has been done for 2022. We’ll keep this in mind for the coming year. Advocacy Committee Report, Lucius Michel: Current issue of DMV is still being worked on with the committee at large. Letter to local politicians to bring awareness to communication problems at the RMV has not gone out quite yet. Lucius is interested in getting ideas for future advocacy issues, ie) via focus groups, health fair, office hours, etc. Kathy shares that another person called about issues with RMV. He went to get the Real ID which triggered a negative chain of reactions. Kathy reached out to many public officials who wonderfully did respond ASAP and helped fast track a response from the RMV. But overall, this North Andover Elder Services 120R Main Street North Andover MA 01845 978.688.9560 www.northandoverma.gov kshelp@northandoverma.gov is another example of a root problem of poor communication at the RMV which the advocacy committee is looking to address. Vision Statement and Mission, Harry Kaloustian: Harry would like to suggest a committee create a vision statement or review whatever one currently exists to ensure it makes sense. In addition, he wants a way to measure success and progress. Kathy spoke on the various ways this is done (ie: focus groups, needs assessment, general comments and feedback, etc). Also, we do have a vision statement as a department. The COA is welcome to re-work it if deemed necessary to better fit. Dave suggests to Harry attending the next advocacy meeting to discuss revamping the vision statement. Potentially that committee can handle this concern vs creating a new one. Update on Senior Center, Kathy Shelp  Logo has been chosen.  Mobile food pantry has been a big hit and seniors would like to see this service continued.  Wellesley visit scheduled for Monday, June 13 at noon.  One van is still down due to chip shortage. Another has an issue with AC.  Bylaws redrafting officially finished.  Conference scheduled and local residents will be getting notices shortly.  February 2023 estimated senior center completion date. 3 officers need to be nominated for next year’s term + 2 associate members.  Chair  Vice Chair  Secretary Adjournment at 10:20 A.M., by a motion by Maria Rosati, seconded by Dave VanArsdale, unanimously agreed. 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