TOWN OF SIMSBURY
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
JANUARY 15, 2008
Meeting Minutes
Chairperson, Edward LaMontagne called the meeting to order in the Program Room at the Simsbury Public Library, 540 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06070 at 7:02 p.m.
Commissioners Present: Grace Comeau, Kathy Fallon, Mike Jennings, Gloria Knierem, Carrie Kramer, Ed LaMontagne, Mary Ellen Long, Mona Martinik, Charlotte Steptoe, Jeff Tindall, Lynn Veith, Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator)
Excused: Rich Hogan, BOS liaison
Absent: None
Public Audience:
Lee Kliman and Bunny Kliman 14 Country Club Drive, West Simsbury, CT:
Ms. Kliman expressed concerns regarding handicapped parking availability in the town of Simsbury. The current signs indicating handicapped parking spaces do not meet current ADA guidelines for signage. Signage on the ground does not meet the guidelines. There must be an actual sign and the sign must indicate that there is a fine for a violation. Ms. Kliman has spoken to Sergeant Mimnaugh at the Police Department regarding this issue.
Guests:
Chief Bill Austin of the West Hartford Fire Department provided a presentation on the establishment and implementation of a Special Needs Registry.
He stated that this has also been an initiative of the Capital Region Council of Governments. He is encouraging all towns in the Farmington Valley to set up this registry. To date the West Hartford Fire department has registered 400 individuals.
The registry is voluntary and necessitates the person or persons calling the Fire Department to provide information regarding, who they are, where they are and what is needed to help them. A member of the West Hartford Fire Department calls each person once a year to confirm that their situation still exists.
The Chief stated that the publicity for informing citizens of the registry was word of mouth. He has spoken to civic organization, business groups and has been interviewed on Channel 30 news.
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Meeting Minutes
15 January 2008
Page Two
Minutes, Previous Meeting: The meeting minutes from November 21, 2007 were reviewed and accepted with the following revisions: Ms. Kramer's name and Mr. LaMontagne's names were misspelled. Hamilton Sunstrand was spelled incorrectly. The meeting minutes were approved with the aforementioned corrections.
REPORTS:
PUBLIC RELATIONS SUB COMMITTEE:
Ms. Kramer distributed and reviewed the purpose and action plan for the Public Relations sub-committee.
SOUPER TUESDAY:
Ms. Comeau stated that the next Souper Tuesday event will be held on February 26th at Eno Memorial Hall. The volunteers and entertainment for the event is all set.
WAYS AND MEANS:
Mr. LaMontagne shared a letter he sent to the First Selectman requesting a budget line item for Commission activities.
A suggestion was made to display a sign at the Souper Tuesday to name the organizations who have provided funding to the Souper Tuesday event.
SENIOR CENTER:
Income Tax assistance will be available through the Senior Center. Ms. Marschall and her staff are evaluating the possibility of additional luncheon programs at the Senior Center.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE:
Ms. Knierim presented the recommendations of the nominating committee. The slate of officers presented for approval are: Mr. LaMontagne, Chairman; Ms. Steptoe, Vice Chairman, Ms. Veith, Clerk. Ms. Martinik made a motion to approve of the Nominating Committees recommendations. Ms. Comeau seconded. The motion was unanimously approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
DRAFT ORDINANCE CHANGE:
The draft ordinance change is a carry over from the last administration. The town attorney has reviewed the ordinance and developed it into a legal format. Mr. LaMontagne will be setting up a meeting with the First
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Meeting Minutes
15 January 2008
Page Three
Selectman, Ms. Mary Glassman, to discuss how the Commission should proceed.
PROCEDURE FOR LOCATING/IDENTIFYING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:
Mr. LaMontagne has sent an e-mail to the Executive Director of FAVRAH requesting assistance with identifying persons with disabilities to whom they provide services to and who reside in the Town of Simsbury.
OTHER BUSINESS:
None.
NEW BUSINESS:
OPEN FORUM:
The next Open Forum will be scheduled for April 29th after the Souper Tuesday event The Forum will be held in the Youth Room at Eno Memorial Hall. Mr. LaMontagne will send out press releases in early april.
SENIOR SERVICE AWARD:
The Commission will be presenting the Senior Service Award to a citizen
who has helped to improve the lives of seniors in the Town of Simsbury. Ms. Veith, Chairman of the Citizen Service Awards sub-committee
will start sending out letters and nomination forms. The award will be presented at a Board of Selectman meeting in May.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
" Mr. LaMontagne shared an updated list of the current Commission members.
" A new member has been presented for consideration by the Board of Selectman It is hoped that she will join the Commission at the February meeting.
" Rich Hogan has been has been appointed as the BOS liaison to the Commission.
" Mr. LaMontagne shared an RFP for the renovations to Owen Murphy apartments and Virginia Connelly Assisted Living.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mr. LaMontagne sent a letter to all new and returning members of the BOS regarding the Commission activities and Plan of Action.
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
15 January 2008
Page Four
Mr. LaMontagne distributed the report he submitted for the Town Annual Report.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Mr. LaMontagne shared a proposal for a modification of the Commission agenda based upon sub committees. The sub-committees are as follows: Citizen Service Awards, Disability Needs Assessment, Nominating, Picnic in the Park, Public Relations, Senior/Community Center Assessment, Senior Tax Relief, Souper Tuesday. Additional sub-committees will be established as they become necessary.
Ms. Long made a motion to approve of the sub-committees. Ms. Comeau seconded the motion. All approved.
ADJOURNMENT:
Next meeting: February 19, 2008
Ms. Kramer made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Long seconded the motion. All approved. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynn R. Veith
Lynn R. Veith
Clerk
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