3.1.22 Minutes COA meeting Beverly Council on Aging Directors Meeting
Date: March 1, 2022
Place: Beverly Council on Aging, 90 Colon Street, Beverly,MA 01915
Members Present: Bob Hobbs, Blair Smith, Jessica Wistran, Barrence Whitfield, Claire-Marie
Hart and Stephanie Tallo (by phone call in)
Staff Present: MaryAnn Holak
Meeting called to order: 2:35 pm
Secretary's Report: The minutes for the February 1, 2022 meeting were reviewed. Minutes
were approved as written by vote of those in attendance.
Director's Report
Building Concerns and Usage:
MaryAnn reported that the water bottle filling stations are now on hand and awaiting installation.
Parking lot light, knocked down by a snow plow was fixed but Senior Center was billed for the
replacement parts— approximately $700. Board concurred that such expenses should be covered
by insurance or a storm damage budget and not the COA operating budget. MaryAnn will
discuss with the Mayor Cahill during budget meetings.
Two of four boilers are now working. The two back up boilers are not in service right now,
leaving us at risk for heat problems.
MaryAnn reminded the Board that the air compressor for the 2nd floor dining room and hallways
has been down since last summer and the Public Services Department has not scheduled the
repair or replacement.
MaryAnn has some estimates to replace some sections of the carpet that is in bad repair—lobby,
program office and upstairs near library. The Board suggested MaryAnn ask the purchasing
agent for other vendors to get comparison quotes before moving forward.
Administration and Finance
YTD financials were reviewed and MaryAnn reminded the Board that budgeting for FY'23
would be imminent.
MaryAnn read a note from Board member Cynthia Montalbano thanking us for the basket of
flowers we sent her at the holidays.
Fire Chief Peter O'Connor has applied for a home safety grant for older adults who need help
with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Programs and Events
The social work interns are offering a Dementia Friends training on March 8 at 2:30p.m.
Game night with Endicott and BHS students is resuming on March 10
Indoor dining returns on T/Th beginning on March 15 and will go to M-F on April 19
Local historian, Nancy Murphy is doing a presentation on"How the Irish shaped Beverly Farms"
on March 17cn
Meetings/Activities/Clients/Clients of Concern
The BSW Social work intern organizing the spring yard cleanup program.
The MSW social work intern is conduct a client satisfaction survey
We are giving out Caregiver Resource bags as people request them.
Personnel Updates
Resumes for Assistant Director are being reviewed
One staff on medical leave has returned to work,with some restrictions on activity.
Unfinished Business
COVID Update:
Masks are be optional in all city building as of March 1, 2022; capacity for programs has been
increased.
Policy on"Emeritus" status for retiring board members was reviewed and viewed favorably by
those in attendance
Policy on"Public Comment" at COA Board meetings was reviewed with comments from
participants
Property tax work off program has been implemented with 28 participants
New Entry Sustainability Farm Share grant was not accepted by Beverly Hospital; Board
members were in favor of us offering the program utilizing funding from another source.
No qualified candidates have been identified for the position of Assistant Director
Strategic Plan review is ongoing
The Community Engagement project"Telling our Stories is Underway" and the event, "Lives
Well-lived" at the Cabot Cinema on April 28 is being worked on now.
New Business
Members agreed that they would like Mayor Cahill to follow through on a housing summit with
all the entities that provide senior housing in Beverly.
Fire Chief Peter O'Connor has applied for a home safety grant for older adults who need help
with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Home improvement survey in March 2022
newsletter will ascertain interest in this program.
Merrimack Fellowship application was accepted and we will interview applicants on April 8,
2022.
State Formula grant contracts were just issued with a renewal amount based on the 2010 Census
of 8,169 people over 60 to total an allocation of$98,268.
Committee Reports
Scholarship Committee -No scholarship applications were reviewed
Awards Committee—look forward to Senior of the Year nominations and Wall of Fame event
in Nov. 2022.
Announcements —None
Adjournment—3:55pm
Next Meeting: Tuesday,April 5, at 2:30p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Barrence Whitfield, member