Beverly COA minutes August 13, 2024.docx Beverly Council on Aging Advisory Board Minutes
Date: August 13, 2024
Place: BCOA and Senior Center, Colon Street
Members Present: Blair Smith, Rich Tabbut, Daniel Wuenschel, Cynthia Montalbano,
Stephanie Tallo
Members Excused: Barrence Whitfield, Susan Feeney
Staff Present: Chris Gomez, Bruce Doig
Staff Excused: Suzanne Kosch
Meeting Called to order: 2:40 p.m.
Secretary Report: Motion to accept minutes of meeting June 25th by Cynthia Montalbano.
Seconded by Rich Tabbut. All in favor.
Meeting Overview
During the Senior Center Staff Meeting on August 13, key upcoming events and activities were
outlined, including an outdoor iPhone photography class, a blood drive, and various workshops
scheduled throughout the month. The successful Senior Day in the Park was recapped,
highlighting a nearly doubled ticket sale from the previous year and an increase in sponsorships.
Discussion also focused on catering logistics, with praise for the food quality but suggestions for
enhancements, particularly for the chicken sandwiches. Additionally, waste management
challenges were addressed, including the need for improved compostable material use at events.
New initiatives were announced, such as approved digital literacy classes for seniors and a grant
for a new van. Action items discussed included engaging local Boy Scout troops for volunteer
support and preparations for upcoming programs, including the AARP tax program.
Upcoming Events and Activities
• August 15: Outdoor iPhone photography class
• August 15: Foot care nurse visit(expanding to another day due to high demand)
• August 15: Blood drive
• August 15: Social bingo
• August 19: National Aviation Day with Amelia Earhart presentation
• August 20: Encore casino trip and R&R big band music with Thai beef salad lunch
• August 21: Birthday celebrations and visit from Gary the comfort dog
• August 22: Puzzle Palooza
• August 26: Movie screening 'A Dog's Way Home'
• August 27: Zentangle workshop
• August 29: Pizza and movie night
• Ongoing meetings: AA on Wednesdays, senior caregiver support group, OA on Thursday
nights
• August 15: LGBTQ discussion group
• August 20: Legal clinic with Attorney Stuart Gardner
Senior Day in the Park Recap
• Nearly doubled ticket sales from last year (243 vs 121)
• Reduced ticket price from $15 to $13
• Total revenue from tickets: $3,068
• Sponsorships increased to $12,800
• 31 raffle prizes (19 + 12 from sponsors)
• Positive feedback on raffle prizes
• Some complaints about chicken being dry
• Suggestion to add mayo or butter to chicken sandwiches
Catering and Logistics
• Creative Catering provided food service
• Limited staff from caterer, relied heavily on volunteers
• Discussion on improving food service for next year
• Positive feedback on food quality (cornbread, watermelon, potato salad, coleslaw)
• Ice cream sandwiches from Cherry Hill were popular
• Only one bag of trash due to compostable materials
Waste Management and Future Improvements
• Discussion on expanding use of compostable materials
• Challenges with mixed waste in compostable bins
• Black Earth now charges $1,000 for pick-up at events
• Suggestion to improve waste management at concession stands
New Initiatives and Updates
• UMass Lowell digital literacy classes approved for North Shore area
• Plan to involve students from Endicott and Salem State
• Discussion on expanding computer access for seniors
• Grant received for new 16-passenger van with hydraulics
• Intern from Endicott starting in the fall
• LEAF program and AARP tax program to be restarted
• Received $863 mini grant and $29,000 from a trust
Meetings/Activities/Clients/Clients of Concern Updates
New Initiatives and Updates
• UMass Lowell digital literacy classes approved for North Shore area
• Plan to involve students from Endicott and Salem State
• Discussion on expanding computer access for seniors
• Grant received for new 16-passenger van with hydraulics
• Intern from Endicott starting in the fall
• LEAF program and AARP tax program to be restarted
• Received $863 mini grant(DOT helping hands for gps lock boxes) and $29,000 from a
trust(unnamed donor)
Personnel Updates/New Business
• New full-time driver Kipp started July 11
Committee Reports:
Grant Committee: No new business
Awards Committee—No new business
Unfinished Business: None
New Business: None
Motion to adjourn BOD Meeting by Rich Tabbut, seconded by Cynthia Montalbano. All in
favor.
Adjourned 3:40 pm
Next Meeting: September 10, 2024
Respectfully submitted: Blair Smith, Chair