HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-11 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
February 11, 2025 9:00 A.M.
Minutes
Attendance:
Members Present: David VanArsdale {Chair}, Lucius Michel {Vice-Chair}, Quentara Costa {Secretary}, Maria Rosati,
Patricia Riley, Dr. Harry Kaloustian, Priscilla Raposo, Jennifer Abou-ezzi, Allen Naffah, Remo Zimbaldi, Joan
Thompson, Eileen Elliot
Absent: George Kangos
Others Present: Kathy Shelp, Director of Elder Services; Cahla Ahlstrom, Outreach Manager
Call to order: 9:05 AM
Roll call by David VanArsdale
Minutes: Review of January 2025. Motion to approve by Jen. Seconded by Luke. Unanimously approved.
Update from Luke Michel, update on Advocacy Committee:
Responses from letter sent out after last meeting. Office of Aging and Independence (see general discussion notes)
and Senator Markey sent form letter responses to acknowledge receipt. Rep Moulton also sent some responses that
Luke will distribute to the group and we’ll discuss at our next meeting.
Concerns related to federal funding various programs in the advocacy group (ie – meals on wheels and SNAP
benefits.)
Update from Kathy Shelp, update on Senior Center:
Review strategic plan together.
Grant for digital divide is coming to a close, with final funds getting some virtual reality headsets. Can use for
meditation, simulate travel, make working out fun, travel down memory land by visiting old hometown, physical
therapy, etc. Also getting portable scanners and thumb drives. Thumb drives to be distributed at annual conference
and can be used to retrieve presented and relevant documents.
Meeting at the selectboard went well to convey the direction of the senior center.
Updates related to getting handicap equipment attached to side door.
General Discussion
Office of Elder Affairs is now called Executive Office of Aging and Independence.
No news from state office regarding national cut backs impacting already passed state budget.
Adjournment at 10:00 A.M. Motion to adjourn 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