Council on Aging Board Meeting
Board approved interim hire of Sue Dysart as part-time Outreach Coordinator beginning 9/3; clinician Cindy Chapper moved to full-time and Cathy Spell was hired as receptionist. The COA reported plans to expand CONEKT:Amesbury broadcasts and to purchase tablets and schedule paid tech trainings.
The Amesbury Council on Aging Board met on August 8, 2024. The meeting opened with routine reports from the secretary and treasurer (financial details recorded), followed by statistics showing year‑over‑year increases; the board agreed that program statistics will be reported monthly with a quarterly recap and that phone-call tracking will now be captured by a ring service and included in future reports. Board members reported visits to Newburyport and Andover COAs to observe use of the My Senior Center scheduling software and noted interest in travel programs and language classes; the software is expected to provide trend data if used consistently.
Director Doreen Arnfield provided staffing and program updates: the Outreach Coordinator position remains vacant and Sue Dysart, a graduating intern, will work part‑time as Outreach Coordinator starting September 3 until the position is filled. EMHOT clinician Cindy Chapper is now full‑time (effective July 1) and Cathy Spell has been hired as a receptionist (working Monday, Wednesday, Friday; grant‑funded). Summer programming highlights included a senior cookout with 123 registered, and EOEA grant‑funded CONEKT:Amesbury broadcasts (monthly Birthday Party and Breakfast with the Chiefs); the COA has acquired most broadcast equipment and plans to purchase tablets and schedule two paid tech trainings (on- and off‑site). Additional notes: transit app training is planned, plants and pictures were added to the Costello Center library, and FCOA announced a Health Fair on Sept 6 and Live Well Amesbury on Sept 7. The next board meeting was scheduled for September 12 at 3:00 p.m.