Council on Aging Board

SALEM COUNCIL ON AGING Minutes of Regular Meeting Date and Time: December 20, 2017 at 6:02 P.M. Meeting Location: Salem Community Services, COA 5 Broad St. Roll Call: Members Present: Lynda Coffill (LC, Chairperson), Alice Williams (AW, Treasurer), Julie Carver (JC, Secretary), Abigail Butt (AB), George Barbuzzi (GB), Elaine Milo (EM, City Councilor liaison to the COA), John Russell (JR) Members Absent: Donna Clifford (DC), Alison Thibodeau (AT), Elaine Heredeen (EH, Vice-Chair) Also Present: Teresa Arnold, (TA, Director of the COA), Patricia O’Brien, (TO, Executive Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Services), Kimberley Driscoll (Mayor, City of Salem) Michael Lutrzykowski (Building Dept., City of Salem) Clerk: Kathleen Fitzgerald Meeting Called to Order LC calls the meeting to order at 6:05 P.M. Approval of the November Minutes made by LC and seconded by JC and passes unanimously. New Business: LC advised that two guests were present – Sharon Kearney, former Clerk who recorded the Minutes of the COA and Joan Tobin from Explorers Lifelong Learning. Sharon was presented with flowers and a card in appreciation of her years of service to the COA. Joan spoke about Explorers Lifelong Learning and the classes they provide. She advised that they were associated with Salem State University and the organization offers approximately forty (40) classes per semester, with two (2) semesters each year. Fees are $250.00 for the entire year and $125.00 for a half year. She noted that there are free intersession classes. She encouraged everyone to join. LC advised that there were a lot of seniors on fixed incomes that would like to join but might not be able to pay the fee. Joan advised that this is looked at on a case by case basis. -1- Mayor Driscoll and Michael Lutrzykowski spoke about the plans and progress for the new Senior Center. She advised that they were on schedule and hoped to have the structure enclosed by the winter season and that they were coordinating a lot of the work with National Grid. She also advised that poles were coming down which would give way to improved roadways and that the City received a State Grant to get construction underway – i.e. bike lanes, narrowing of roadways and wider walking paths. She also advised that there would be a gap between the building and street for trees, etc. She spoke about new housing units at the Flynn Tan site which is market-rate housing and the former Sports Haven site where support services would be available. There was much discussion about Boston Street and Highland Avenue and the challenges involved. She also advised that smart signals are scheduled to be installed this Spring. She advised that she was hoping that as Bridge Street was capped, then the City could think about design elements for Boston Street which could be between $500,000.00 and $1,500,000.00. LC asked if we could talk about the twenty-six (26) housing units at Boston Street site and the thirteen (13) units at the Sports Haven site and the ability to get support services and case workers on site for help and guidance and the need to have a “Den Mother” there. She stated that the COA was concerned about seniors and housing. Mayor Driscoll advised that these housing units were only a drop in the bucket and stated that any new housing in Salem required that ten percent (10%) be affordable housing and that the City was working on a number of strategies – i.e. income bracket and age bracket. AB asked about Salem’s moderate-income housing and what it looked like. Mayor Driscoll said there was a cross-section and that there were two (2) things impacting housing – college students renting and Air B&B. Much discussion ensued concerning the inside of the new Senior Center. Mayor Driscoll advised that there would be a big lobby area where seniors could sit and read or just hang out, there would be a great room which could accommodate events, conference rooms, program space, an exercise room, and a large kitchen area which could handle larger crowds. She stated that the right side of the building would incorporate the offices. AB asked if there would be sinks in the program rooms. It was noted that one of the program rooms would have a sink and AB suggested a sink be added to at least one more program room. Mayor Driscoll stated that input is needed from the seniors concerning placement of furniture and fixtures. She said the City was not so much looking for color suggestions regarding furniture as it was driven by what programs the COA would be offering to know what kinds of furniture and fixtures were needed. Once the basics were decided, then we could do fund-raising for additional items such as a piano, etc. -2- She suggested doing a survey to inquire about what the seniors wanted to see regarding programs and that the survey needed to be completed in January or February at the latest. The information regarding the programs wanted/suggested relate to what type of equipment will be needed. Once this information is compiled the need for the furniture/fixtures could be put out to bid and so we can keep on schedule. It was suggested that more men were needed at the Senior Center and AB stated it might be a good idea to send something out to MCOA asking what kind of programs and activities men flock to. JR stated that if there are pool tables, wood working classes, etc. to draw men in, they would eventually start their own group and offer suggestions for additional programs. LC expressed concern regarding the need of an additional social worker as the senior age group increases and needs their increase, and asked if in the present plan there was space for this. TO advised that there was. Next Board Meeting: Wednesday, January 17, 2018. A motion to adjourn is made by LC, seconded by JC, and passes unanimously. The meeting ends at approximately 7:20 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Kathleen Fitzgerald, Clerk -3-