HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-12 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
June 10, 2025 9:00 A.M.
Minutes
Attendance:
Members Present: David VanArsdale {Chair}, Lucius Michel {Vice-Chair}, Quentara Costa {Secretary}, Joan
Thompson, Eileen Elliot, George Kangos, Allen Naffah, Priscilla Raposo, Patricia Riley
Absent: Maria Rosati, Dr. Harry Kaloustian, Jennifer Abou-ezzi, Remo Zimbaldi
Others Present: Cahla Ahlstrom, Outreach Manager; Denise Casey, Deputy Town Manager at Town of North Andover
Call to order: 9:05 AM
Roll call by David VanArsdale
Minutes: Review of May 2025. Motion to approve by Joan. Seconded by Luke. Unanimously approved.
General Discussion:
Motion by Joan to skip July’s meeting due to anticipated low attendance. Luke seconded. Unanimously approved.
Update from Luke Michel, update from Advocacy Committee:
Luke felt the AARP social security speaker was great and would love to see him come back to speak to the board
on the subject and changes that may need to happen to ensure 100% benefit payout vs a reduced amount come
2035. Seth Moulton may also be able to speak on the topic. It’s understand we have a 10-year window because a
reduction may happen, but it would be ideal to get in front it as much as possible.
Quentara discussed how Medicare is also a surprise expense for seniors due to premium surcharges. This may not
be as big of a concern for low-income seniors but triggering surcharges is relatively easy, particularly in this area
of the country and in a best-case scenario amounts to another 5% tax on income after the trigger point.
Update from Membership Committee, election:
Unanimously approved:
o Lucius Michel, Chair
o Quentara Costa, Secretary
o TBD, Vice Chair
Update from Cahla Ahlstrom, update on Senior Center:
Over 600 units of service provided.
They got good feedback on the sessions and a sense of what speakers to bring back, or compete with different
sessions, etc.
North Andover Elder Services 481 Sutton Street North Andover MA 01845
978.688.9560 www.northandoverma.gov kshelp@northandoverma.gov
Both keynotes and meals were at capacity, and they received really great feedback.
About 36 people were brand new to the senior center.
Adjournment at 9:50 A.M. Motion to adjourn by Luke, seconded by Pat. 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