BOD 11-14-2023 Meeting Beverly Council on Aging Beverly Council on Aging Advisory Board Minutes
Date: November 14, 2023
Place: BCOA and Senior Center, Colon Street
Members Present: Cynthia Montalbano, Barrence Whitfield, Stephanie Tallo, Blair Smith,
Rich Tabbut, Susan Feeney, Daniel Wuenschel
Members Absent:
Staff Present: Suzanne Kosch, Chris Gomez
Staff Absent: Bruce Doig
Meeting Called to order: 2:30 p.m.
Secretary Report: Motion to accept minutes from October 2023 meeting, Accepted by Cynthia
Montalbano, Seconded by Susan Feeney
Introductions:
Daniel Weunschel is new to the board, to be appointed by Mayor. BOD members introduced
themselves and Dan shared about his life/work history.
Director's Report
Building Concerns and Usage
Ongoing concerns remain consistent with no clear resolution. Heating system, Cooling system,
lighting and parking lot.
For an entire new heating cooling system estimates seem to be in the vicinity of 30-50 K
Chis explored MassSave, however BCOA is not eligible under that program.
Increased transportation needs remain and one van is still out for lift repairs that will be
approximately 2-3K. Beverly Director of Sustainability may also get an estimate on a Pacifica
hybrid van.
Administration and Finances
YTD budget reviewed. Nothing was outstanding and line items were where to be expected.
Programs and Events
November is Native American Heritage Month, activities are planned including Pow Wow Yoga
on 11/22 and opportunities or education regarding the Naumkeag people who were the peoples to
inhabit the area in which Beverly now sits.
Day trips opportunities continue to increase
Jan 11t'2024 the Senior Soiree will return.
There is an upcoming workshop on the tax exemption program for seniors and Chris Gomez
announced that this program will fall fully under the auspice of the BCOA for the city at some
point in the coming year.
The idea of a new member group with discussed as an opportunity for the center to be more
welcoming for new attendees. Susan Feeney shared her experiences as a new member herself
and lessons to be learned from that.
My Senior Center has a new application forthcoming to capture improved data and manage an
entire "dispatch" for COA's transportation departments. It is expected to have features that will
benefit the transportation department greatly
Chris shared about the City of Lynn's Festival of Trees and encouraged people to attend
Meetings/Activities/Clients/Clients of Concern
The LGBTQ discussion group will continues.
On 11/20 there will be an open forum "Share and Tell" and consideration that this occur on a
more regular basis.
Spanish classes are going well.
No specific clients of concern were brought forth at this meeting.
Personnel Updates/New Business
No new information
Motion to accept Director's Report Cynthia Montalbano seconded Barrence Whitfield.
Committee Reports
Grants Committee- Two applications were reviewed. One was approved, and one was
tentatively approved pending additional information.
Awards Committee—No new business
Unfinished Business
Discussion continued regarding the BCOA grant application for Seniors. Agreed to continue
discussion at next meeting. Suzanne Kosch recorded the wording for recommended changes.
New Business
Discussion to consider changing the time of the BOD meetings potentially be the second
Tuesday of the month, this was generally met with favorable opinions. Consideration of a
change in the hour/time requires more discussion, agreed to continue next month. While a
schedule for 2023 was prepared by Suzanne Kosch, it may be adjusted.
Motion to adjourn BOD Meeting Motion to adjourn by Cynthia Montalbano, seconded by
Barrence Whitfield
Adjourned 3:35 pm
Next Meeting: December 6, 2023
Respectfully submitted: Blair Smith, Chair