Council on Aging Board

The City of Lowell • Council on Aging 276 Broadway Street • Lowell, MA 01854 P: 978.674.4131 • F: 978.970.4134 www.LowellMA.gov POSTING DATE: _January 4, 2021_ Council on Aging (COA) Advisory Board Meeting Minutes Monday, January 11, 2021 at 9:00am via Phone Conference I. Sign-in Present: Joyce Dastou, Mary Donnelly, Beverly Gonsalves, Andrew Hostetler, John Lawlor, Lil Hartman (COA Director). Guest: John King. Absent: Anne Marie Porter, Vincenzo Milinazzo II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Approval of Minutes Approved November and December meeting minutes. IV. Chairperson’s Report Two Board members recently moved from Lowell, leaving Board vacancies. To the best of our knowledge with 7 current members, a quorum requires 4 members be present. Andy is helping to organize an Older Adult Action Group for Age Friendly Lowell, as he studies what empowerment means among older adults. V. Director’s Report Outreach capacity is higher through the pandemic thanks to partnerships with CTI and CMAA. Custodial staff have been flexible to help cover needs in other departments. Carol is cooking weekends. State budget signed in December included level funding of formula grant, salaries now covered through FY21, other spending awaits formal agreement with Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Andy will reach out to State Rep. Rady Mom’s office regarding earmark for senior center carpeting in FY22. The Senior Center is in use this week Jan 11-15 for a first responder vaccine clinic. Our latest newsletter gave outdated information about vaccine phases. Seniors age 75+ will now be included in Phase 2 Step 1 and we will have information about that as soon as it is available to share with seniors by phone. The newsletter also missed the monthly Virtual  The City of Lowell • Council on Aging 276 Broadway Street • Lowell, MA 01854 P: 978.674.4131 • F: 978.970.4134 www.LowellMA.gov Memory Café which is starting in Jan 21, a partnership between D’Youville, Summit Eldercare and the Senior Center. We have a de-cluttering support group starting Jan. 26, still accepting new participants. Our takeout meal counts have gone down as meals on wheels rises, folks who slept outdoors near senior center have been provided temporary shelter through April. VI. Committee Reports a. Outreach b. HAC VII. Items for Discussion a. Old Business b. New Business VIII. Other IX. Adjournment Remote Participation: Pursuant to Governor Baker's Emergency Order modifying the State's Open Meeting Law issued March 12, 2020, meetings will be held using remote participation as follows: those wishing to speak regarding a specific agenda item shall register to speak in advance of the meeting with Lil Hartman indicating the agenda item and a phone number to call so that you may be tele-conferenced in to the meeting. All members of the public are welcome to submit their phone number to be invited to listen to the meeting on mute. Email: LHARTMAN@LOWELLMA.GOV Phone: 978-674-1170