BCOA Board Meeting 6_1_21.docx Beverly Council on Aging Director's Meeting
Date: June 1, 2021
Place: Meeting held on Google Meet
Members Present: Claire-Marie Hart, Bob Hobbs, Stephanie Tallo, and Jessica Wistran (all
present via Google Meets)
Staff Present: MaryAnn Holak, Sam Kossow
Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 order suspending certain provisions of the Open
Meeting Law, GLC 30A S 18 and the Governor's March 15, 2020 order imposing strict
limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the BCOA
Board of Directors will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible.
Meeting called to order: 2:38 pm
Secretary's Report: Minutes for the May 2021 meeting will be available at the next meeting.
Director's Report
Buildin4 Concerns and Usage
• The grounds look great, the flowers are in bloom.
• Programs have been offered -both inside and outside - and facilities staff have done a
great job keeping up with the regular cleaning and maintenance of the building
• The city administration is meeting this week to discuss reopening procedures as a result
of the new information from the governor
Administration and Finances
• Budget presentation is tomorrow night at 7pm via video conference.
• There was a request from Oceanview Assisted Living that they use our transportation for
bus trips for their residents. They will continue that conversation in September.
• There were almost 500 requests for help with vaccine
• SeniorCare has not yet made the decision to bring back their congregate lunch program
• MaryAnn reviewed the March survey results - a summary of the results is available if
anyone is interested
Program and Events
• Exercise classes have been ongoing inside and outside the building. People have been
required to pre-register for activities
• Community Garden has already had its first harvest from the garden that was given out at
the free farmstand
• Thank you to George Jacobson for tomato seedlings donation
• The Plant Ladies program ran for two 2-week sessions and was well received. It gave
participants an opportunity to talk about their experiences during the pandemic and what
they are planning to do moving forward.
• Monday Matinees are coming back in June
• Fenway and Franks program will be running in June for Father's Day
• Walk in the Woods program had the Secretary of Elder Affairs and Mayor Cahill come as
special guests. The program funds have been matched by Beverly Hospital so this
program will run again in the Fall.
• Cook's Night Off was catered by Super Sub last week and has two more weeks to run.
• Senior Day in the Park-we do not have the capacity to do a 600 person event this year,
we have a plan to have a 250-person event this summer. Board Members are always part
of the day and invited if they are able to attend.
Meetings/Activities/Clients/Clients of Concern
• The Human Rights Committee meeting for older adults was held as an extra forum via
video conference. There was a good conversation led by Paul Lanzikos. There was a
comment about changing the name of the Senior Center by a participant of the meeting.
• Rene Christopher-Carr from SeniorCare presented at the Elder At-Risk Task Force
meeting about Protective Services
• There has been a significant increase in the number of very serious housing concerns that
the Outreach/Social Work department has worked on.
• Attendance at Memorial Service for long-time Senior Center member
Personnel Updates
• Eric DePiero was hired to be our seasonal activities assistant for this summer
• There are a number of staff vacations coming up over the summer
The Board voted to accept the Director's report as written.
Committee Reports
Grant Committee
No new grant applications were received in the last month.
Claire-Marie made a motion to approve the purchase of up to 6 additional air conditioners for the
grants program this summer. Jessica seconded. Unanimous approval.
Awards Committee
The awards committee will meet before the end of June in order to review the nominations for
Senior of the Year. The meeting will be held on June 29th for Senior of the Year.
Unfinished Business
COVID updates -MaryAnn prepared a mitigation plan draft for reopening the Senior Center and
submitted it to the Mayor and other administrative staff.
New Business
Senior Day in the Park-Motion to continue this conversation on the June 29th made by Bob
Hobbs, seconded by Claire Marie Hart, all in favor.
Human Rights Committee meeting -Motion to table this idea until October made by Jessica,
seconded by Bob Hobbs, all in favor.
Motion to nominate Bob and Claire-Marie as co-chair and Cynthia as secretary made by Bob,
seconded by Stephanie, all in favor
Announcements
No announcements.
Next Board Meeting
Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at 2:30 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Samatha Kossow,Assistant Director