Aging & Disability Commission - Minutes

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, October 18, 2022

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION

Via Zoom and recorded

Regular Meeting October 18, 2022 – 7:00 pm

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION--REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

October 18, 2022

APPROVED

PRESENT

Jan Beatty, Vic Bible, Joanne Cohen, Cheryl Cook, Anne Erickson, Sandee Fleet, Deb Glass, Terry Henault, Mike Jennings, Kate Robbins, Jen Seiderer, Diana Yeisley, and Amber Abbuhl (BOS liaison), Susan Ray (library liaison), Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator)

EXCUSED

Robin Batchelder and Shannon Leary

CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Yeisley, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:09 pm.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS

None received.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting of September 20, 2022

Ms. Cook moved to accept the minutes without correction; Ms. Erickson seconded and the motion passed.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN (BOS) LIAISON REPORT

Ms. Abbuhl noted that the public hearing on having a cannabis retail store in town has been postponed until Monday, November 22. The board also approved eight applications to the COVID-19 Relief 501(C)(3) Non-Profit Grant Program for funds to town non-profits.  Eno Memorial Hall’s flag will fly at half-staff and the building will be lit in blue to show community support for the Bristol police.

SENIOR CENTER REPORT

Ms. Marschall relayed that the Senior Center is offering two Medicare workshops: one October 19 at 1:30 and one November 9 at 1. Outreach Coordinator Lisa Sharpe will be running them at the Senior Center. The director of the Connecticut State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped will discuss their services and demonstrate available equipment on November 3 at 1 in the Tarriffville Room at the library. The Veteran’s luncheon will be held at noon on November 7 in the Program Room at the library. Finally, she noted extended time for tech help being offered at the library; one-hour appointments on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from 3-5 can be made by calling the library.

PROGRAMS

Fashion Show – Fall 2022: Ms. Marschall remarked how nice it is to have it back after three years. It is scheduled for October 20 from 12-2 at Eno with about 25 models.

Souper Thursday: Ms. Yeisley noted that a review of available funding would take place after the fashion show.

Sensory Friendly Halloween Event: Ms. Yeisley noted it will be an indoor version of trunk or treat at Eno auditorium on Monday, October 24, 4:30-6:30 pm.

Sensory Friendly Santa Event: Ms. Yeisley noted that Santa will be back, tentatively scheduled Monday, December 12, same time as last year.

OLD BUSINESS

Age Friendly Community Update and Survey: Ms. Beatty reported that preliminary analysis is currently underway with assistance from those who helped with the library’s data analysis. Survey is still open with hope of obtaining more responses from 50-65 demographic. The work group plans to meet on Tuesday, October 25, with goal to report results prior to the upcoming budget year. Ms. Yeisley thanked Ms. Beatty, Ms. Abbuhl, and Ms. Marschall for their contributions to this ongoing effort.

Affordable Housing Update—Zoning Commission decision on ADUs: Ms. Erickson noted that the recommendation sent to the BOS will be to opt out of state requirements.  She also noted that the town’s parking allotment for ADUs is more generous than the state’s. Ms. Cook noted that the DEI Council is offering an education program re affordable housing on November 9 at the library at 6:30. She also noted the DEI’s Recorded Voices Project started this week to discuss people’s experiences with affordable housing.

Disability Employment Resource List: Ms. Cook shared a list with Ms. Yeisley and asked for feedback from the commission regarding its dissemination. The list will be put on the Aging and Disability Facebook page in addition to being available at the library.

Spring Presentation/Seminar: Mr. Bible will discuss ideas with Ms. Henault. Ms. Seiderer asked if there was a list of previous topics along with associated materials.

Accessibility Project at PAC update: Ms. Yeisley will continue to pursue the issue with PAC.

NEW BUSINESS

Simsbury Farms Playground Project: Ms. Yeisley noted that the initial plan for redoing the playground at Simsbury Farms was over budget and other bids are being sought. The hope is to have the project done for the spring.

Accessible Voting: Ms. Yeisley noted that curbside voting is available, there is an absentee ballot drop box at town hall, and assistance can be requested at the polls.  Ms. Cook noted that poll workers check for accessibility on election day and any issues that day should be reported to the Registrar of Voters.

Library Program for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: Ms. Ray noted that the Simsbury Library was chosen as a regional hub -- one of six libraries -- where people can come in to see what technology is available.

ADJOURNMENT

Ms. Cook moved to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Bible seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:58.

Next meeting:  November 15, 2022 at 7 pm via Zoom.

Submitted by,

Jan Beatty

Secretary