Aging and Disability Commission - Meeting Minutes, October 18, 2016
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION – REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 18, 2016
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
The regular meeting of the Aging and Disability Commission was held on October 18, 2016 in the Youth Room – ENO Memorial Hall – 754 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT.
PRESENT
Janet Beatty, Mike Jennings, Marvin Koff, Susan Krinsky, Ed LaMontagne, Mary Ellen Long, Mark Orenstein, April Schmidt, Cheryl Cook (Board of Selectman Liaison), Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator), and Susan Ray (Simsbury Library)
EXCUSED
Victor Bible, Grace Comeau, Lorraine Doonan, Margaret Diachenko, Mona Martinik, Diana Yeisley, and Arlene Zappile,
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.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Pat Carey, 4 Powers Court, Simsbury
Ms. Carey spoke to the commission to bring awareness of FTD (Frontal Temporal Dementia) to the commission. The week of September 25th was world-wide FTD awareness week, and she noted that although 26 states participated in this awareness week, CT was not one of them. She noted that 50,000 people have been diagnosed with the disease in the US, and also noted that it is often misdiagnosed.Her hope is to bring more attention to the need for diagnosis, treatment, and caregiving of the disease in CT.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2016
Ms. Schmidt moved to accept the minutes. Ms. Long seconded. All voted in favor.
BOS LIAISON REPORT
Ms. Cook noted that the meeting about the Public Building Committee’s recommendations for construction of a new Senior/Community Center with BOS, PAC and A&D has been rescheduled for Monday, October 24th, at the Simsbury Library at 6 PM.She also noted that state budget cuts have been passed down to the town (most recently more than $400,000 in town education costs) and there may be more after the November election.
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION – REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 18, 2016
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
PAGE TWO
SENIOR CENTER REPORT
Ms. Marschall noted that the Senior Center is coordinating with the Farmington Valley YMCA on November 7th and 21st and December 5th and 19th to allow seniors free access to their facilities with registration through the Senior Center.Wii Bowling will take place at the Library at 12:30 on October 26th. Program with CT Historical Society on November 4th at 1 P.M. at the library will feature a talk and screening of the movie “Morning Glory” with Katherine Hepburn. On November 12, 13, 19, and 20th, the play Beauty and the Beast will be on stage at Simsbury High School.Tickets are $18 for seniors and students; $20 for adults. Halloween event on Friday, October 29th, at 12:30 P.M. will screen movie “House of Wax.”
PROGRAM REPORTS
Souper Tuesday:
October 18th event:
A good crowd was on hand. Members of the commission assisted with serving.
Fashion Show
The Fashion Show was held at the conclusion of the Souper Tuesday event. All went well. The Commission thanked Cheryl Cook, Kathleen Marschall, and Diana Yeisley for coordinating and managing the event, which was well attended.
Budget
The Simsbury Lions Club has been approached for a donation for the November Souper Tuesday event.
OLD BUSINESS
Senior/Community Center Update:
Mr. LaMontagne noted that the town of Southington recently received a $5 million grant from the state to help build a new senior center. He asked that commissioners attend the October 24th BOS meeting at the Simsbury Public Library that will address the Public Building Committee’s recommendations regarding the new senior/community center being placed at the Performing Arts Center site.
Fall Presentations Update:
Thirty people attended the first presentation on September 27th; the next presentation will be October 25th at 6:30 P.M. at the Simsbury Library on the “Making the Most of Your 12-Minute Doctor’s Appointment.”RSVP to Kathleen Marschall by October 21st. The third presentation, “The Impact of Medication Management on Chronic Diseases,” will be November 29th at 6:30 P.M at the Simsbury Library.
Other:
No other business was discussed.
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION – REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 18, 2016
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
PAGE THREE
NEW BUSINESS
Adaptations to Eno Memorial Hall:
Mr. LaMontagne wrote a letter to First Selectman Lisa Heavner to request installation of accessible hand rails in bathrooms in Eno Hall.They were installed this past week. Ms. Schmidt suggested that signage for ADD be added on lower level to alert everyone to the ADD location in Eno.
November 8th Election – Accessibility:
Ms. Long noted that there will be a new touch screen available for anyone in need and asked that commissioners be sure to make people aware of curbside voting as well. Mr. LaMontagne asked commissioners to check voting polls for accessibility when voting.
Other:
Regarding Ms. Carey’s comments on FTD, Dr. Koff suggested that the Commission could try to get a reporter interested in pursuing an investigative report to raise awareness of the disease and its treatment options in CT.
ADJOURNMENT
Dr. Koff moved to adjourn. Ms. Long seconded. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, November 15, 2016, 7:00 p.m., Youth Room, ENO Memorial Hall
Submitted by
Jan Beatty
Jan Beatty
Clerk