HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-09 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
January 9, 2024 @ 9:00 A.M.
Minutes
Attendance:
Members Present: David VanArsdale {Chair}, Lucius Michel {Vice-Chair}, Quentara Costa {Secretary}, Allen Naffah,
Maria Rosati, Patricia Riley, Priscilla Raposo, Jennifer Abou-ezzi, Eileen Elliot, Remo Zimbaldi, Dr. Harry Kaloustian
Absent: Joan Thompson
Others Present: Kathy Shelp, Director of Elder Services; George Kangos
Call to order: 9:01 AM
Roll call by Dave VanArsdale
Membership: Motion to accept resignation of Tallie Abernathy from Jennifer and seconded by Maria
Minutes: December 2023 minutes reviewed. Moton to approve minutes by Patricia, seconded by Maria. Unanimously
agreed.
Advocacy Sub-committee Update, Lucius Michel:
Discussion related to two bills proposed to help seniors stay in their home and lower their tax burden. Mainly, the
bills would open up the flexibility of what towns can do to create housing relief for seniors. The bills being
presented are H 4128 and H 2691. The COA has been asked to endorse this, Luke has drafted letters of support on
these bills to relevant politicians (Nguyen, Ramos, Tarr, Finegold, Arciero).
Motion to agree on drafting of this letter unanimously agreed.
Update from Kathy Shelp:
thstth
SWOT Dates will be January 30, 31, February 6 at 1pm.
Solo-agers brochures sent out around town and passed along at COA meeting.
Kathy and Jen are working on the new Health Care Navigators program, information on the program has been
posted on social media and flyers starting to circulate through meals on wheels program and others. So far, they
have 8 solid volunteers for the program. Seniors need to be able to transfer (get out of car/chair). This is a health
needs-based program, not income-based.
Digital Divide program is in full swing, every other Wednesday at 8am.
Certain funding for programs like low-cost internet may be going away in mid-2024, this is s something they’re
keeping their eye on for more information. (ACP program)
North Andover Elder Services 481 Sutton Street North Andover MA 01845
978.688.9560 www.northandoverma.gov kshelp@northandoverma.gov
With the opening of the new senior center, unduplicated services are up 38% (number of people services are
provided to). Units of service has increased by 11,000 (multiple services may be provided to any one person)
which is a 61% increase year over year.
Discussion on Tallie’s new role at the center handling special events and trips.
Dignity Alliance is a non-profit to improve the lives of caregivers. They want to change the model of long-term
care. Many people involved in this are past state-reps. We could have someone come to a meeting to talk more
about what they do.
Adjournment at 9:50 A.M. Dave motion to adjourn by Harry, seconded by Maria. Unanimously agreed.
Respectfully submitted,
Quentara Costa, Secretary
North Andover Elder Services 481 Sutton Street North Andover MA 01845
978.688.9560 www.northandoverma.gov kshelp@northandoverma.gov