1997-07-08 CITY OF BEVERLY
BEVERLY COUNCIL ON AGING
Members present: Robert Marshall, Joseph Dettorre, Thomas Saunders, Anthony Detterre, Ellen
Skryness, Nancy Winter, Thomas Scully, Sheila Fields
Also present: Sevexal senior citizens
The meeting was call~! to order at 1:35 PM by chairperson Robert Marshall. The board members
introduced themselves. New members Nancy Winter and Ellen Skxyness were welcomed by their fellow
councilors.
Chairperson Marshall welcomed the visiting senior citizens and offered them the opportunity to rnalce
comments. All declined at that time.
Chairperson Marshall read the minules of the June 2, 1997 meeting. The minutes were accepted as read
on a motion by Tom Satintiers seconded by Joseph Dellone.
Executive Dircctor's report:
Interim Executive Director Sheila Fields gave a review of the monthly city and enterprise
budget transactions.
She also reported that the Janice Levesque purchased two new IBM compaU~le computers with
available grant funds. One of the computers is located at the front desk and the other will be
placed in the arts & crafts room.
Sheila is presenfiy attempting to arrange free a "intemet' connection through Media One, for
the COA.
SheHa advised the council that Donna Whipple has returned to Activities Director position.
The Direcior's report was accepted on a motion by Tom $aunders seconded Nancy Winters.
Transportation Report:
Tom Saunders stated that Mary dionne toid him that one of the vans needed emergency repairs
on 6/7/97. R. Marshall explained that the repairs were Io the two-Way radio antenna.
Budget:
Tom Scull}, advised the council thai the larger than anticipated FY98 budget total reflects grant
funding checks that are received by the City to cover the salaries for employees thai fall under
the grant(s). Tom also clarified the line item pertaining Io Assistant Director. This was
attached to the budget for computer purposes, etc. Tom also mentioned that he thoughl that it
would not be a bad idea to for the council to consider such a position and he noted that this was
a grant funded position in the past on a 15 hours per week basis. Nancy Winter questioned why
the Activities Director position does not appear in the budget. Tom Scully explained that this
position along with several other pan time positions are lumped together under Pan Time
Staff. Tom also explained that city employees' wages, including pan time employees are
determined by union agreements.
Election of Officers:
Joseph Deftone was nominated by Anthony Dettorre for Chairperson of the Council. There
were no other nominations for this position.
Robert Marshall was nominated by Joseph Dettorre for Vice Chairperson of the Council.
There were no other nominations for this position.
Anthony Dcttorre was nominaled by Robeft Marshall for Clerk/Secretary of the Council. There
were no other nominations for this position.
This slate was unanimously accepted by the council members and the Secretary cast one ballot
for aH candidates.
Senior of the Year:
Following a brief discussion on procedure, the council members sclecled the person lo be
named Senior Citizen of The Year at the Homecoming Celebration on August 7, 1997.
Communications Committee Report:
Joseph Dettorre'reponed thal at the recent joint communications committee meeting held at the
council there were five persons in atte~thnce. Robert Marshall, Joseph Dettorre, Anthony
Dettorre and Sheila Fields represented the COA. Charles Hood represented the Senior Citizens
Club. There was no representation from the Friends of the COA. The issue of the Senior
Citizens Club news items appearing in the Garden City Courier ,~ addressed. II was agreed
that the Council would accommodate the Senior Club by including their prepared insert into
the Courier each month. Dettorre further staled that the Senior Club would have to furnish a
person or persons to insert the document each month.
Compuler Classes:
Robert Marxhnll advised the council members that signups are being accepted for the free
computer classes that are being offered al the Center for senior citizens.
Executive Director: .'
Tom Scully read the requirements for the position of Executive Director as set down in the last
public notice. Tom made a recommendation thal the reqniremcnl that the applicant should
hold a professional degree in business administntion be substituted by the requirement thal the
applicant should hold a degree in the field of human services. Nancy Winter suggested that the
advertisement also mention thai previous related experience is desirable. 11 was agreed that the
ads would appear in the Boston Globe, Salem Ne~s, MCOA neaslctter and the Massachusetls
Municipal organization newsletter. The cul-o~'datc for the receipl of applications is August 29,
1997.
By-Laws:
Tom Scully challenged Section 4 (Vacancies), Paragraph 2 which states thal the Board has
authority lo remove Board members under certain conditions. He explained that under the
provisions of the City Charier that the Board has no such authority bul that it could make any
such recommendation Io the Mayor. Joseph Detlorre suggested lhal a speeial meeting should bc
held to nvise and/or amend the by-laws. Robert Marshall suggested thal the by-labs should
require the annual election of officers Io be held at the July meeting. The chairperson named
Nancy Winler and Anthony Dcttorre to this committee. Any proposals ~:ill be sent 1o the City
Solicitor for review.
Community ~ervices Department:
Tom Sadly explained to the Board that the responsibility for hiring and firing the Executive
Director is his under the terms of the city charier. He has delegated the anlhorily to the
Direaor to hire and fire other employees. He does prder however lo have the Board's input in
the selection of the new Direaor. Tom also reported lhat the union agreemenls are settled and
that the pay raises for the union employees are forlhcoming. Roberl Marshall stated he
like to see a review of the pan lime employees ,~ges. Marshall also suggested that we hire
another van driver. Tom Scully explained that the issue of the grant money refund has not yet
resolved and until it is resolved, the matter of a third driver would have to be put on hold.
The queslion of whether we need an additional full time was raised. 5heila will check with the
Innsporta~on section and forward her reporl to the Wans~rta~on committee.
Tom Scully, in answer to Joe Dettorre's question explained that an employee of the COA
would submit any grievance to him (Tom Scully). Joe also suggested that Tom instruet the
future direclor(s) that any hiring of COA employees or any changes in employees' job
descriptio~s be presented to the Board first. Tom agreed to this requesl.
Chairperson's Comments:
Joe 12Mlorre offered some brief ~m~rks on the matter of unity and cooperation. He stated that
he is confident that this Board will move ahead and achieve its goals. He also advised the
members that committee assignments will be announced at the next regular meeting.
Shcila will make a list of members and of future meeting dates. The lists ~ill be distributed to
the members of the Board.
Adjournment:
FoHo,~ing several questions and commits from the visiting senior citizens in attendance the
meeting was adjourned a12:53 PM.
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D. Bevrre~y Council On Aging