COABOD01142025Minutes BEVERLY COUNCIL ON AGING
Board of Directors Meeting
January 14, 2025
2:30pm
ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
Place: BCOA and Senior Center, Colon Street
Members Present: Stephanie Tallo, Dan Wuenschel, Rich Tabbut, Susan Feeney
Members Excused: Blair Smith, Barrence Whitfield, Cynthia Montelbano
Staff Present: Suzanne Kosch, Chris Gomez,
Staff Excused:
Meeting Called to order: 2:35 p.m.
Secretary Report: Motion to accept minutes from December 2024 meeting, accepted by Dan
Wuenschel, Seconded by Rich Tabbut
Director's Report
Building Concerns and Usage
Chris began by sharing some good news that the lighting project that the COA has been working
on will begin the first week of February. All the light fixtures will be converted to LED to save
energy and money.
The BCOA building is being considered to host the Special Election for State Representative.
There will be a Primary and a General Election for State Rep. This will take place in April or
May 2025.
BVLA greenspace is City of Beverly property and is planned to be a park to benefit all older
residents of the City of Beverly. Originally, the BCOA requested Bocce Courts be created in the
new greenspace. COA Director will follow up with Bruce Doig to confirm the plans.
Administration and Finances
YTD budget reviewed. No outstanding items of concern.
COA Director will ask for an increase in the Enterprise budget in the following categories next
fiscal year: Transportation, Senior Day In The Park and Senior Soiree. The increase in
Transportation is due to a new software program called Bridge Transportation. It is a user-
friendly program that the Transportation Coordinator has been testing over the past two months.
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Senior Day In the Park and Senior Soiree budgets both need to be increased due to inflation of
products and services.
Programs and Events
The Senior Soiree on January 9th was a great success. The attendees enjoyed the live band,
catered meal and raffle prizes. We had 11 sponsors and 18 raffle prizes. We sold over 130 tickets
and had over 175 people in attendance. Tickets sold at$20 apiece and even though the ticket and
sponsor revenue did not cover all of our costs, we were able to cover the remaining costs with
money in our own budget.
The subject of a Friends of BCOA group came up in discussion. The general consensus is that a
Friends Group would allow opportunities of fundraising and enable the solicitation of funds to
cover the costs of large events and/or major purchases to benefit the COA and its members. COA
Director will contact Bruce Doig and/or Mayor Cahill to learn more about getting a Friends
group created.
January events include the AARP Smart driver course which is very popular. Seamstress services
are twice per month along with the Foot Care Nurse. Special Lunch this month is Chinese New
Year themed, serving Chicken and Asian vegetables. Our regular monthly events including
Puzzle Palooza, Bingo Birthday Bash, Encore Casino Trip, Reiki Chair Sessions, Big Band
Music and Dancing, Movie Night and Intergenerational Game Night continue to be popular and
draw a crowd. This month we are also offering Introduction to Astrology, Reading Challenge
Kickoff, Senior Living 101 Discussion, AARP Tax Aide Information, Hot Sauce House Day
Trip.
AARP Tax Aide Appointments will be held at the BCOA beginning in February and continuing
until April 7th. AARP is offering free tax preparation to anyone who files a simple tax return.
The BCOA is partnering with AARP to offer this free service to the general public.
Cardio Drumming which was offered on January 13th was a success. There were 9 participants
who brought their own equipment and enjoyed the instructional video. Activities Coordinator
will research a local instructor and check feasibility of offering an instructional series of Cardio
drumming.
Meetings/Clients/Clients of Concern
Regular monthly meetings include AA for Seniors, Overeaters Anonymous and LGBTQ+
discussion groups.
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BCOA had two beloved members pass away recently and this led to a discussion about
memorializing those we lose each week. The BCOA team will take this idea into consideration.
Personnel Updates
No new personnel changes.
COA Director will check in with the Mayor's office to ask about hiring a Temporary Part Time
Activities/Outreach Assistant. The COA has hired summer help in the past and hopes that the
same will be granted this summer.
Motion to accept Director's Report by Stephanie Tallo, seconded Rich Tabbut.
Committee Reports
Grants Committee-No applications presented
Awards Committee—No new business
Unfinished Business
No unfinished business
New Business
No new business presented
Motion to adjourn BOD Meeting Motion to adjourn by Stephanie Tallo, seconded by Barrence
Whitfield
Adjourned 3:36 pm
Next Meeting: February 11, 2025
Respectfully submitted: Suzanne Kosch, Assistant Director of BCOA
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