Aging and Disability Commission - Meeting Minutes

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, March 21, 2017

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION

MARCH 21, 2017

SUBJECT TO APPROVAL

 

The regular meeting of the Aging and Disability Commission was held on March 21, 2017, in the Youth Room – Eno Memorial Hall – 754 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT.

 

PRESENT

Janet Beatty, Victor Bible, Joy Himmelfarb, Susan Krinsky, Marvin Koff, Ed LaMontagne, Mary Ellen Long, Mark Orenstein, April Schmidt, Arlene Zappile, Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator), Susan Ray (Library)

 

EXCUSED

Grace Comeau, Margaret Diachenko, Lorraine Doonan, Mike Jennings, Mona Martinik, Diana Yeisley, and Cheryl Cook (Board of Selectman Liaison)

 

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Edward J. LaMontagne, Chairman, at 7:05 p.m.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge was recited.

 

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 15, 2016

                                                 SPECIAL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 2017

Ms. Long moved to accept the minutes of November 15th and January 24th. Dr. Koff seconded and the minutes were approved.

         

BOS LIAISON REPORT

There was no BOS Liaison report due to Ms. Cook being absent.

 

SENIOR CENTER REPORT

Ms. Marschall reports that there are two more sessions of “Transform Your Life.” March 23rd program is “Connecting with Your Inner Child,” and April 6th program is “Changing Your Life Can Start at Any Age.” Both programs are from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. in the library’s program room and registration is at either the library or Senior Center. She also noted that the Simsbury Police Department and Simsbury Social Services are co-sponsoring a “Shred Event” on Saturday, April 22, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in front of Simsbury Town Hall. This event is for Simsbury residents only and there is a three-bag limit (grocery size) per household. 

 

PROGRAM REPORTS

Souper Tuesday:

Due to lack of funds, the commission had made the decision to cancel the March Souper Tuesday. Mr. LaMontagne contacted several local organizations requesting

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION

MARCH 21, 2017

SUBJECT TO APPROVAL

PAGE TWO

 

support for future dates.  Each of the town’s Selectmen has contributed $70, the Rotary Club has donated $500, and the First Church of Christ has donated $500, giving the fund a total balance of $1,491.40 as of 3/21/17.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Senior/Community Center Update:

Discussion of Revised Conceptual Plan: Mr. LaMontagne distributed the renovation plans submitted to the Public Building Committee and noted that the Senior Center will remain at Eno Memorial Hall with renovations pending approval at the town referendum (tentatively set for June 13, 2017). Dr. Koff asked how many parking spaces would be gained; net gain will be only a few spaces.  SCTV will be moving out of Eno to a space still to be determined (one option is space at the rear of Andy’s Market property). Ms. Long will update the commission on when the referendum questions need to be created so that the commission may have some input.

Fall Presentations Summary: 

Mr. LaMontagne noted that the presentations were outstanding and attracted about 35 people to each of the three talks.  Mr. Bible noted that audience participation was excellent, and he suggested that future efforts should focus on one presentation rather than a series because of the difficulty of getting publicity. Ms. Krinsky noted that the caliber of the speakers was very high, and Mr. Bible credited Ms. Doonan with her hard work in attracting them. Mr. LaMontagne thanked Mr. Bible, Ms. Schmidt, and Ms. Doonan for their work on the presentations committee.  Ms. Schmidt suggested the possible topic of how Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs) work for special education.  Mr. LaMontagne suggested that we propose a date in October at the April meeting.

Other:

 None.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Nominating Committee Report:

Ms. Long noted that the Nominating Committee recommended that Mr. LaMontagne continue as Chairman, Diana Yeisley as Vice-Chairman, and Jan Beatty as Secretary. Dr. Koff moved to accept the recommendation.  Ms. Himmelfarb seconded.  Motion carried with all in favor.

Partnership with McLean – April 18th event:  

In collaboration with Home Care & Hospice at McLean, the Simsbury Aging and Disability Commission and the Simsbury Senior Center will sponsor a workshop at the Hop Meadow Country Club at noon on April 18 to discuss end-of-life wishes with James Cox-Chapman, MD, and Kevin Baran, MD, MPH, HMDC.  Ms. Schmidt noted

 

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION

MARCH 21, 2017

SUBJECT TO APPROVAL

PAGE THREE

 

that 25 have signed up to date, and she distributed business cards for Peggy Coburn, Administrator, at McLean in case anyone has questions.

Ojakian Fundraiser:

Mr. LaMontagne distributed information about the Lenny Beman Memorial Fund to benefit the residents of Ojakian Commons.  Ms. LaMontagne will appear on SCTV to raise awareness.

Discussion – AARP Age Friendly Community:

Mr. LaMontagne noted that Glastonbury is looking into applying for status as an Age-Friendly Community through AARP.  It will take up to five years to earn that designation from AARP. At the next meeting, Mr. LaMontagne will present an outline about what is involved and what the next steps would be.  Only a few towns in New England have received this designation.  Ms. Himmelfarb asked if a dedicated senior center is a requirement.  Mr. Orenstein expressed concern about the possibility that the renovations may not pass referendum and suggested we wait for referendum before pursuing the designation. The commission can look at www.AARP/Liveable Communities to see what is involved.

Other:

Mr. LaMontagne asked the commission to think about what other projects/programs we should consider sponsoring for discussion at the April meeting.  Ms. Krinsky suggested that we should pursue obtaining 501(c) 3 status as Friends of the Simsbury Senior Center. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

Dr. Koff moved to adjourn. Ms. Schmidt seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

 

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday April 18, 2017, 7:00 p.m., Youth Room, ENO Memorial Hall

 

Submitted by,

 

Jan Beatty

 

Clerk