HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-16 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
May 16, 2023 @ 9:00 A.M.
Minutes
Attendance:
Members Present: Lucius Michel {Vice-Chair}, Quentara Costa {Secretary}, Allen Naffah, Maria Rosati, Patricia
Riley, Priscilla Raposo, Joan Thompson, Jennifer Abou-ezzi, Eileen Elliot, Tallie Abernathy, Dr. Harry Kaloustian
Absent: David VanArsdale {Chair}, Remo Zimbaldi
Others Present: Kathy Shelp, Director of Elder Services; Cahla Ahlstrom, Outreach Manager/Assistant Director;
Lya Morse, Program Coordinator; Paula Lynch, Administrative Secretary; Denise Casey, Deputy Town Manager
Call to order: 9:00 AM
Roll call by Lucius Michel
Minutes:
Motion to approve April 2023 minutes by Lucius. Jennifer approved; Maria seconded. Unanimously approved.
General Updates from Lucius Michel
· Town meeting is tonight. Article 6, 7, 8 – expands eligibility of tax abatements and exemptions to seniors which
you qualify for through the Assessor’s office.
o For context, there is money going unclaimed toward these programs, so expanding the eligibility
could ensure the funds are doled out as intended.
· Invite Sarah Brush to come take a photo of COA board for website, etc.
· Conference on Aging was a success. Should Council on Aging board have representation there?
o Kathy says we could give it a try. She’s ordered us nametags so anyone related to the center
(board, friends group, staff) can be easily identified. Maybe adding something to the newsletter or a
brochure would also be helpful.
Advocacy Sub-committee Update, Lucius Michel:
· Discussion on professional escorts for seniors. Aileen, a presenter at the conference, has experience from doing
this with other organizations. The big question is, will the town accept the liability associated with a program like
this.
North Andover Elder Services 120R Main Street North Andover MA 01845
978.688.9560 www.northandoverma.gov kshelp@northandoverma.gov
o Dee can discuss with the town manager to see if the town can put this under master insurance
policy.
o Also, finding volunteers to run the program may be a challenge, but we could copy the approach
of others to help address this.
o $1.5M state pot to increase digital literacy for seniors. Each COA can apply for up to $100k of this
pot. Senior Center wouldn’t need $100k but could make the case for hearing aids so seniors can
better participate at things like town meetings, headphones, Chromebooks, and training on how to
use all this and other technology (like telehealth).
· Increase to COA formula grant for people aged 60+ from $12 to $14 per person (per most recent census which
is done every 10 years). But still needs to be debated and approved, hopefully will be decided by Fall. Traditionally
money is used toward staffing but it can be used as each town see’s best and carried over year to year.
o Lucius would like to advocate for this increase with other COAs and reach out to reps.
Update on Senior Center, Kathy Shelp:
· Bylaws that were updated need to be reviewed by selectmen. Let’s get that on agenda.
· Review of Conference on Aging statistics and expense.
o Attendee outcome sheets came back very positive with good feedback ideas.
· Working to put together a focus group, will be asking for participants.
· When will new center open? TBD, waiting on occupancy permit.
· Set up a new time to refresh strategic plan once we’re in the new building (maybe August?)
Update on Membership, Quentara Costa:
· Jillian Brothers has reached out to membership whose term is expiring 6/2023. As far as I know, no one has
turned down renewal but I have sent an email to Jillian to confirm. Lucius did not receive email, so I confirmed to
Jillian that he is interested to continue on board.
· No one new has indicated any interest in board chair, vice chair and secretary positions. Dave as chair, Lucius
as vice-chair, and Quentara as secretary to continue in roles for coming term will be voted on in June’s meeting.
Motion by Lucius to write a letter of appreciation for Kathy and team, CC selectmen and town manager.
Seconded by Jennifer Abou-ezzi, unanimously approved.
Adjournment at 9:58 A.M., motion by Lucius. Seconded by Maria Rosati. 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
North Andover Elder Services 120R Main Street North Andover MA 01845
978.688.9560 www.northandoverma.gov kshelp@northandoverma.gov