Holyoke Veterans Home Reconstruction Access, Inclusion and Diversity Committee Meeting, 7/18/25

Meeting Minutes

A. Call to Order

• The meeting was called to order at 10:03 a.m. Reminded members that the use of AI for note taking or recording at DCAMM meetings is prohibited except in limited cases as approved by the General Counsel.

Members in Attendance:

Members Present:

• Marcony Almeida-Barros
• Karen Courtney
• John Cruz
• Andrea Gayle Bennett
• Bonnie Borch-Rote
• Debora Olson
• Michael Rybicki
• Mary-dith Tuitt
• Allysa Benaflew-Ramos (for Nicole Obi, BECMA)
• Alice Taddeo (for Liseth Velez, LJV Development)
   

Members Absent:

• Colton Andrews
• Maxime Charles
• Micheal Euvrard
• Colleen Fonseca
• Aisha Miller

Confirmed that all present can hear and participate.

B. Administrative Matters

• Charles Kelsey thanked the participants for joining the virtual meeting. With gratitude for lending their time and talents to the AIDC, Charles Kelsey announces the resignation of Jose Bou, Rubens Boursiquot, and Jorge Santiago.

C. Approval of January, February, March, April, May and June 2025, Meeting Minutes.

Motion: Marydith Tuitt made a motion to approve the proposed January, February, March, April, May and June AIDC meeting minutes as previously circulated.

Second: Karen Courtney

Roll Call Vote: Marcony Almeida-Barros (Aye), Karen Courtney (Aye), John Cruz (Aye), Andrea Gayle Bennett (Aye), Bonnie Borch-Rote (Aye), Debora Olson (Aye), Michael Rybicki (Aye), Mary-dith Tuitt (Aye), Allysa Benaflew-Ramos for Nicole Obi, BECMA (Aye), and Alice Taddeo for Liseth Velez, LJV Development (Aye).

All pending minutes were approved unanimously.

D. DCAMM project overview and schedule update

• Nathalie Assens provided the updates
• Officially announced that the project is currently ahead of schedule by approximately two months
• Geothermal work resuming
• Roofing and metal panel installation complete
• Masonry work ongoing
• Drywall installation ongoing
• Elevators being installed

E. Update from Commodore/Walsh

• Karellis Rivera reported no changes from previous month. All contract values and payments to diverse firms through May 2025 presented. All workforce goals are being exceeded.

F. Outreach Update

• Suzzette Waters from DCAMM was recognized to provide updates on recent and upcoming outreach initiatives. Suzette Waters mentioned Construction Opp Event Oct 8, 2025

G. Public Question/Comment Period

• Question from Deb Olson: What is going to happen to old buildings? The existing building will be decommissioned and demolished after operations move to the new Veterans Home at Holyoke facility.

H. Public Question/Comment Period

• Motion to adjourn moved at 10:30.