HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-16 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
August 16, 2022 @ 8:30 A.M.
Minutes
Attendance
Members Present: David VanArsdale {Chair}, Lucius Michel {Vice-Chair}, Quentara Costa
{Secretary}, Maria Rosati, Patricia Riley, Dr. Harry Kaloustian, Remo Zimbaldi,
Absent: Eileen Elliot, Jennifer Abou-ezzi
Others Present: Lya Morse, Program Coordinator; Kathy Shelp, Director of Elder Affairs; Paula Lynch,
Administrative Secretary
Call to order: 8:34 AM
Roll call was read by Dave VanArsdale.
Minutes: The July minutes were approved unanimously via roll call on a motion by Harry and
seconded by Luke.
Review and Approval or Bylaws:
Motion to approve the bylaws from Luke, seconded by Maria. Approved unanimously.
Update from Membership Committee, Quentara Costa:
The committee has interviewed 5 people for the 4 open seats (2 full seats and 2 non-voting seats)
Quentara went through the notes from the meetings and recommended the following out of
available candidates:
-Tallie Abernathy back to her voting seat
-Joan Thompson to a voting seat
-Allan Naffah to non-voting seat
-Priscilla Raposo to non-voting seat (as she indicated was her preference)
Motion to accept recommendation of Quentara. Remo approved. Patricia seconded. Approved
unanimously.
Night Out Planning, Dave VanArsdale:
North Andover Elder Services 120R Main Street North Andover MA 01845
978.688.9560 www.northandoverma.gov kshelp@northandoverma.gov
It was well worth being at this event. Many people were interested in the floor plans for the
senior center. There was also very positive response to the fact that materials on the center were
available in Spanish.
Advocacy Committee Report, Lucius Michel:
Luke feels there is room for improvement on the RMV website. He’s going through the site to
make recommendations on how to make navigating the site easier. There are just too many clicks
to find important aspects of the site. He will request a follow up meeting with the RMV’s web
design team.
Update on Senior Center and Review of FY 2022 Annual Report, Kathy Shelp:
A motion made by Luke to document that we’ve received the FY 22 Annual Report from Kathy,
seconded by Patricia. Approved unanimously.
The Senior Center will be a part of the town Fall Festival.
Accreditation still moving along. 2 of 9 done, and other requirements being worked on.
Board of Selectmen approved $35k for needs assessment to be completed.
o We will probably need a COA committee developed to help with this effort.
There is a goal to become an age friendly town, which can open up opportunities for grant
money, etc.
Request for board to watch Coming of Age documentary. It would be a great launch to explain
the reason to become an age friendly town.
Men’s breakfast to resume in the Fall. Sponsors needed.
Friendly Faces program to start at the Senior Center to help ease in new people.
Discussion on the Senior Center floor plan, parking, etc, and recent visit to Wellesley Center.
A motion made by Luke to draft an email to support the decision to remove the fireplace from the senior
center. Seconded by Remo. Approved unanimously.
Adjournment at 9:47 A.M., by a motion by Dave VanArsdale, seconded by Luke. unanimously
agreed.
Respectfully submitted,
Quentara Costa, Secretary
North Andover Elder Services 120R Main Street North Andover MA 01845
978.688.9560 www.northandoverma.gov kshelp@northandoverma.gov