HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-11Council 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
March 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, Remo Zimbaldi, Joan Thompson,
Eileen Elliot, George Kangos
Absent: Allen Naffah
Others Present: Kathy Shelp, Director of Elder Services; Cahla Ahlstrom, Outreach Manager; Denise Casey, Deputy
Town Manager at Town of North Andover
Call to order: 9:03 AM
Roll call by David VanArsdale
Minutes: Review of February 2025. Motion to approve by Jen. Seconded by Maria. Unanimously approved.
Update from Luke Michel, update on Advocacy Committee:
Nguyen and Ramos have new assignments in the legislature. We will keep our lines open with them.
Commonwealth Care Alliance insures 50,000 patients and are at risk of going under.
Medicaid funding is at risk and 70,000 seniors in MA rely on it for nursing home care.
Inquiry related to the possibility of being in touch with or hearing from Seth Moulton. Sounds like he will be in
Boxford in the near future, so that’s an opportunity.
Update from Kathy Shelp, update on Senior Center:
Kathy requests help to create a building committee to advise on the strategic plan
o Dave, George and Joan volunteered
Super Saturdays: They did a small survey related to attending and prioritizing a Saturday opening. There was a
strong show of support to keep it going. There were questions related to activities as well so feedback could be
gathered on how to run this program.
o May focus on continuing this program in the winter months when it’s easier to staff and people have less
to do.
They’ve been having a number of requests from those aged 40-50s that are disabled and want to participate in
senior center programs, particularly ones with waitlists or limited seating (programs requiring transportation,
meals, art, yoga, Zumba). It is not the senior center’s mission to accommodate this and while they’d love to,
there is only so much funding to accommodate those who the center is intended for (those age 60+).
Bridging the digital divided program coming to a close. Kathy learning the new 2 virtual reality devices to
figure out how to utilize at the center. Goal is to start using them this summer.
Movie night has been a hit, 90+ people attended Conclave. 60+ to Wicked.
North Andover Elder Services 481 Sutton Street North Andover MA 01845
978.688.9560 www.northandoverma.gov kshelp@northandoverma.gov
General Discussion
Inquiry on town shredding day – date TBD
Adjournment at 10:00 A.M. Motion to adjourn by Joan. Priscila seconded. 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