Aging and Disability Commission - Minutes
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION –REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 15, 2019
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
The regular meeting of the Aging and Disability Commission was held on January 15, 2019, in the Hartford Room of The Village at McLean Care, 75 Great Pond, Simsbury.
PRESENT
Jan Beatty, Victor Bible, Lorraine Doonan, Anne Erickson, Joy Himmelfarb, Edward LaMontagne, Kate Robbins, Diana Yeisley, Arlene Zappile, Susan Ray (Library), and Cheryl Cook (Board of Selectman Liaison)
EXCUSED
Sandee Fleet, Mike Jennings, Marvin Koff, Mark Orenstein, Kathleen Marschall, Susan Krinsky, Mary Ellen Long and Cheryl Lauben
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
None.
GUESTS
Jean Miles
State Representative John Hampton
John Hampton, now Vice-Chair of the Aging and Disabilities caucus in the state house, came to ask what issues were on the minds of Aging and Disability commissioners. The caucus’s plans include creating a database on elder abuse and increasing background checks on eldercare givers; they also plan to create a pilot program within state agencies to hire more people with disabilities. A further goal is to get more support for businesses such as Beans in Avon to support hiring people with disabilities.
Ms. Cook suggested to Mr. Hampton that the qualifications for board certified behaviorists have become more stringent and that providers are not able to offer services because of the shortage of qualified behaviorists. Rather than undoing the legislation for stricter standards for Board Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBA), Ms. Cook asked if there could be emendations re the cost of certification.
Mr. Hampton will provide a list of all Aging and Disabilities bills being proposed.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES - Special Meeting of November 27, 2018
The minutes were approved without correction.
BOS LIAISON REPORT
Selectwoman Cook noted that last night’s meeting of the Board of Selectman saw the first formal presentation of the Simsbury 350th Committee. Simsbury Main Street Partnership will be the financial sponsor so that a separate 501(3)(c) doesn’t need to be formed. $35,000 of town funding will be allocated to the anniversary celebration and the remainder will come from sponsors. May 12, 2020 will be the kickoff event at the First Church, which is where town incorporation originally occurred. Other signature events include a Memorial Day weekend antique show, River Day on June 27th, Country Fair in July, and Oktoberfest. November 7, 2020 will be the finale, a Grand Ball at Riverview. She also noted that teens are conducting oral histories at the library for the celebration.
Ms. Cook also noted that the budget process has begun, and she asked if there were comments or questions about the budget to send them to her or to the Town Manager. A public hearing on the budget will be held at the high school on April 2nd and the referendum will be held May 14th.
SENIOR CENTER REPORT
Senior Center Director Ms. Marschall was absent so there was no report. Ms. Ray noted that the 2nd annual tailgate party at the library was well received. She also reported that the Lions will hold an eye screening event at the library on January 26th.
PROGRAM REPORTS
Sensory Friendly Santa Event – December 7th. Mr. LaMontagne commended Ms. Yeisley on an outstanding job in arranging the event that attracted more than 50 people of all ages. Attractions included photographs with Santa, popcorn, ugly sweaters, hats, and a slime station. Ms. Yeisley noted it was extremely successful and attendees were excited for other similar events throughout the year.
OLD BUSINESS
Age Friendly Community Update: Mr. LaMontagne said the application is done and with the Social Services Department for submission to AARP.
Spring Seminar: Mr. Bible noted that Claudia Englisby from Disability Planning Partners will be the speaker. The focus will be on what services are available in town. The event will be held at the library at 7:30 pm on May 16th.
Medical Equipment Loan Closet: Mr. LaMontagne met with First Selectman Eric Wellman, Town Manager Maria Capriola, and Kristen Formanek, Director of Social Services. Jean Miles has agreed to be the registered physical therapist who will inspect the equipment. Mr. LaMontagne noted that they are looking for a town-owned facility. If no town-owned facility can be found, Mr. LaMontagne will approach a service club such as the Lion’s Club or Rotary Club to consider this as a program and will request start-up costs. He also noted that a database will be started to link the loan closets in the surrounding towns of Avon, Granby, Simsbury, and Unionville.
“Souper Tuesday” Spring Event: Ms. Marschall had told Mr. LaMontagne that she is hoping to schedule it for May.
NEW BUSINESS
Officer Election – Appointment of Nominating Committee: Ms. Robbins agreed to Mr. LaMontagne’s request that she be responsible for nominating officers.
Commissioner Survey: Mr. LaMontagne will be sending out a survey electronically in the next few weeks for the commissioners’ input about the direction the commission should take in 2019. He noted that he is seeking ways to better reach out to seniors in the community. Mr. Hampton asked if the meetings should be covered by SCTV.
Ms. Yeisley asked if the commission should have a Facebook page. Ms. Cook noted that the town will shortly be issuing a new policy about social media for commissions which will provide direction.
Ms. Yeisley noted that attendees at the Sensory Friendly Santa event were enthusiastic about having similar events held throughout the year. She noted that perhaps the Picnic in the Park should be moved from August to July to be one of those quarterly events.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business a request to adjourn the meeting was made. The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 pm.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 7:00 p.m., McLean’s Hartford Room at The Village
Submitted by,
Jan Beatty
Clerk