Beverly COA minutes Dec 10, 2024.docx Beverly Council on Aging Advisory Board Minutes
Date: December 10, 2024
Place: BCOA and Senior Center, Colon Street
Members Present: Blair Smith, Daniel Wuenschel, Cynthia Montalbano, Susan
Feeney, Barrence Whitfield, Rich Tabbut, Stephanie Tallo
Members Excused:
Staff Present: Suzanne Kosch, Chris Gomez, Bruce Doig
Staff Excused:
Meeting Called to order: 2:37 p.m.
Secretary Report: Motion to accept minutes of meeting November 13, 2024 by Stephanie Tallo
Seconded by Barrence Whitfield. All in favor.
Overview
The Senior Center Board Meeting held on December 10 addressed several key topics impacting
the center's operations and programming.
Key updates included:
• the signing of contracts for a building-wide LED lighting project expected to save $3,000
annually
• acquisition of a Cricut machine and 3D printer for various creative programs.
• Upcoming events highlighted included Spanish lessons, special holiday activities, and
community presentations on security and estate planning.
• Individual concerns were raised regarding a member's hospitalization and the vacancy of
a board position, with outreach to the mayor's office for potential candidates.
• Financial discussions included the buy-back of sick
and vacation time and the budgeting for a new low-floor transportation van, with the
senior center contributing 15% of the cost.
• Additionally, the meeting focused on improving language access and translation for
residents, exploring new tools for enhancing communication, including instant translation
earpieces.
• Action items included checking holiday event sign-ups and reviewing relevant
transportation policies.
Director's report was accepted with motion by Stephanie Tallo, seconded by Barrence
Whitfield. All in favor.
Building Concerns and Usage—Detail Review
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• Contracts signed for lighting project
• LED lighting to be installed throughout the building
• Expected to save $3,000 per year
• Computer program underway with $15,000 worth of equipment
• Cricut machine ordered for T-shirt design and signage
• 3D printer to be purchased soon
Programs and Events—Detail Review
• Spanish lessons on Tuesdays at 10
• Special lunch on December 11
• Holiday gift wrapping on December 11
• Coffee with the Cop on December 12
• Security awareness presentation on December 12
• Estate Planning 101 on December 12
• Ax throwing birthday celebration on December 16
• Reiki chair sessions are popular
• Chair volleyball on December 23
• Fiddler on the Roof movie on December 18
Individual Concerns and Board Membership—Detail Review
• One individual in hospital, recovering
• Board member emeritus and brother unable to stay in their house
• Board member position vacant
• Mayor's office contacted about filling the position
Budget and Personnel—Detail Review
• Discussion on buy-back sick time and vacation time
• Retirement expenses covered by city accounts
• No personnel updates, fully staffed
• Transportation grant for new low-floor van
• Senior center to pay 15% of van cost($29,000)
Language Access and Translation
• Discussion on language access plans for housing authorities
• City working on simplifying forms for easier translation
• Senior center has a translator Wad
• Challenges with different dialects and translations
• Discussion on earpieces for instant translation
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Action items
All board members for next meeting -
• Consider taking the secretary position on the board
Unassigned -Board members were asked to consider volunteering for the secretary position on
the board
Motion to adjourn by Daniel Wuenschel, seconded by Cyntia Montalbano. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 3:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: Blair Smith, Chair
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