COA Board Minutes October 2022 Beverly Council on Aging Advisory Board Minutes
Date: October 4, 2022
Place: BCOA and Senior Center, Colon Street
Members Present: Bob Hobbs, Cynthia Montalbano, Rich Tabbut, Baurence Whitfield,
Stephanie Tallo, Jessica Wistran
Staff Present: MaryAnn Holak,Victoria Guskiewicz, Sandy Mahoney
Meeting Called to order: 2:35
Secretary Report Accepted by Bob Hobbs, Second by Jessica Wistran
Director's Report
Building Concerns and Usage
Solar panels on Heather Street Side of Building will be working soon and generating power
Construction still going on the street close to building. Metal plates, street blockage. Impacting
Senior Center
Board of Health Flu Clinic being held October I P'
Administration and Finances
Year-to-date budget report presented and reviewed.
Discussed classes expenses and revenues, as presented on report. Talked about proposal to sell
one-month vouchers to pay for classes in future. May consider asking for donations from local
organizations to underwrite costs of classes.
COA Formula Grant Report distributed. It is for last fiscal year—carryover.New report will be
presented at next month's meeting.
Programs and Events
Senior Center Month events went well. Everybody loved Julia Childs event.
Senior Vice Principal of Beverly High School meeting with MaryAnn to discuss bringing back
Breakfast Club.
"A Night Out for Family Caregivers"By Andrew Budson has 32 people signed up on October 6`h
Farm stand and CSA Program Update. Doing very well. Published booklet with program
description and numbers. Gave 75 bags of groceries out per week from Beverly Bootstraps.
Some delivered by bus. Twenty-week program almost completed.
Met Sandy Mahoney—New Activities Director
Topsfield Fair took 12 people. Bus driver issues.
Aetna Health sponsoring Healthy Breakfast proposed. Talking about grants for healthy options.
May have no transportation services for two Fridays. Issue regarding transportation needs to be
addressed. May need new transportation model. Talking to City Hall about using vans instead of
buses.
Cultural Council Grants due October 15". Write letters of support to Council to see if they will
fund it.
Meetings/Activities/Clients/Clients of Concern
Still conducting Elder at Risk Meeting every other month.
Girdler House New Executive Director wants to use our transportation. Dementia issues with
their patients. Eighteen patients housed there.
Personnel Updates
Filled Front Desk Coordinator position
Transportation Coordinator and part-time Outreach and Activities Coordinator positions not
filled.
Mass Council of Aging Conference for 2 days at Seacrest Hotel. Victoria will attend for 2 days.
Accepted motion to accept Directors Report(too fast for me to record who accepted it)
Committee Reports
No meeting today of Grant Committee
Awards Committee. Motion to accept Minutes approved. Deadline October 18"'for committee to
meet regarding nominations for Wall of Fame. Event will be held November 15"1 at 10 a.m.
Awards Committee will meet October 18`h at 11 a.m. to review nominations for the Wall of Fame
event.
Unfinished Business
COVID updates and responses. People at Senior Center have it.
ARPA Funds request update. MaryAnn talked to Finance Director just prior to today's meeting.
They will discuss it at a meeting on Thursday at 9 a.m. at City Hall. Mike Collins deployed to
Florida for FEMA response to Hurricane. Trying to get our parking lot paved. Councilor At
Large Julie Flowers will insist that some funds go to Beverly Council of Aging.Need new
lightning and fixtures at the main meeting area in the Senior Center.
BMEA/City Job Description Review still underway. May see positions upgraded to higher grade.
Fees for Activities—classes led by outside instructors discussed. Also discussed paying in
advance for classes starting in January. Research partnering with Beverly YMCA.
Thirtieth Anniversary of the Senior Center—how to commemorate discussed. Possibly doing a
weeklong celebration during the week of November 151. Dressing up as if we are in the 1990's
explored. Beverly Rotary Club contributing$250 towards event
New Business
Policy on what to post on the community bulletin board discussed. City Solicitor concerned
about Wellness Clinic posted on board. Will discuss at next meeting.
Next Meeting: November 1st, 2:30 p.m.
Adjourned: 3:45 p.m. Bob Hobbs
Respectfully submitted:
Richard Tabbut, Secretary