Aging and Disability Commission - Minutes

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION

Via Zoom Live Feed

Special Meeting – October 20, 2020 – 5:30 pm

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION – SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

OCTOBER 20, 2020

SUBJECT TO APPROVAL

A special meeting of the Aging and Disability Commission was held at 5:30 pm on October 20, 2020 via Zoom live feed.

PRESENT

Jan Beatty, Victor Bible, Cheryl Cook, Anne Erickson, Sandee Fleet, Shannon Knall, Mike Jennings, Erin Leavitt-Smith, Mark Orenstein, Kate Robbins, Diana Yeisley, Susan Ray (Library), Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator), Wendy Mackstutis (Board of Selectmen Liaison), and Rachael Loveland (Social Services)

ABSENT

Susan Krinsky

CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Yeisley, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 5:34 pm.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS

None received.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES - Regular Meeting of September 15, 2020

Minutes were accepted with a correction noted by Mr. Orenstein that smartphone assisted-listening capability is not yet available at Eno Hall but hopefully will be by the time it reopens to the public. Ms. Cook noted a typographic error. 

BOARD OF SELECTMENT (BOS) LIAISON REPORT

Ms. Mackstutis reported that there was a change in the tax credit for elderly and disabled homeowners

to bring it in line with state statutes.  The SPIRIT council was recognized as an official Town Special Committee with 18 members.  Racism was declared by the BOS as a public health crisis. The town will apply for a grant for sidewalk extension on Firetown Road from West Street to Plank Hill Road. Grant funds of approximately $6600 were accepted from the Greater Hartford Transit District to support our Dial-A-Ride program. The Town Manager’s contract was renewed for four years beginning in January 2021.

SENIOR CENTER REPORT

Ms. Marschall noted that Eno Memorial Hall is still closed to the public except by appointment, and wellness clinics resumed this month.Virtual programs continue to be offered via Zoom and there is no firm date for opening for activities in the building.The Senior Center is still doing grab-and-go meals, averaging about 53 people/week, and the Oct. 28th one will be a special Halloween-themed meal. The Center still has hand sewn face masks available to anyone needing one.She noted that a Simsbury High School organization, Wounded Vets Strong, has been making supportive cards since the first week in April, which are being given out with the meals.Ms. Marschall wanted to acknowledge and commend their continuing support.

OLD BUSINESS

Open Commission Positions: Ms. Yeisley contacted Town Clerk Erica Butler, who sent notice of the openings to the Board of Selectmen.  Ms. Yeisley wrote to the Board of Selectmen recommending that commission alternates Mr. Bible and Ms. Cook be made regular members.  As no response has yet been received, Ms. Mackstutis noted she will follow up with the Board of Selectmen. After discussion about attendance requirements for commissioners and whether a written document specifying them exists, Ms. Marschall said she would look into it.

Age Friendly Community Update: With the next step in the application to be an AARP Age-Friendly Community being a survey to the community about needs, discussion ensued about timing and length of the survey.  Ms. Yeisley asked Mr. Bible to contact Newtown group about how they shortened the AARP 16-page document. Mr. Jennings moved to delay AARP Age-Friendly Community survey until spring 2021. Ms. Robbins seconded. Mr. Orenstein abstained. Motion carried to delay.

            Ms. Knall made a motion to create a subcommittee to find out how best to help senior and disabled populations affected by the current pandemic.  Ms. Leavitt-Smith seconded.  Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Knall will chair the subcommittee consisting of Mr. Jennings, Ms. Robbins, and herself.  Discussion ensued about how best to reach the target audience.

Disability Friendly Community Update:  After discussion among Ms. Knall, Ms. Yeisley, and Ms. Marschall, a decision was reached that there were too many safety issues involved in an outdoor event; instead, the commission will provide outreach to the community via email. Ms. Yeisley noted that several commissioners will be happy to deliver treats to whomever responds to accepting Halloween deliveries.

SPIRIT Counsel October Presentation – Disability Awareness October 6th had 5 panelists during a Zoom presentation with 40 people attending; the presentation reminded the town that diversity includes disabled population.  Mr. Orenstein noted that presentations were very informative; Ms. Yeisley noted that SCTV recorded the presentation and will make it available.

NEW BUSINESS

Voting Accessibility: Ms. Yeisley noted that there will be curbside availability at polling places.  Mr. Jennings reported that his experience voting by mail was simple and straightforward. Ms. Mackstutis noted that there is a link on the Secretary of State’s website with useful information. Ms. Marschall noted that the Senior Center continues to provide information about voting to seniors.

Sensory Santa Event: After discussion, it was decided that a virtual option was best. Ms. Knall noted that volunteers from St. Mary’s could write cards and perhaps provide candy for those who have attended previous sensory friendly events. Ms. Leavitt-Smith asked if the term mental health could be included in discussion of disabled populations, which was noted by all.

                  Ms. Cook noted that housing authority residents could benefit from some holiday cheer.  Ms.          Fleet suggested a small gift/ornament for them and suggested that scouts would love a project. Ms.           Fleet and Ms. Cook will pursue delivering something to housing authority residents the week of       December 14.

Spring Senior Presentation: Mr. Bible recently asked AARP Community Outreach Director Erica Michalowski if AARP could present a program on liveable communities virtually.  Mr. Bible will suggest a 1-1/2 hour presentation via Zoom including Q&A and will request a date in April. Ms. Ray noted that the library has two Zoom accounts and would also be able to livestream the presentation.

Other:  Mr. Orenstein noted that there were no minutes in 2020 for this commission on the town website.  Ms. Yeisley noted that all have been sent to the Town Clerk.  Ms. Marschall will follow up.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, a request to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Bible and seconded by Ms. Knall. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 pm.

Next meeting:  November 17, 2020 via Zoom at 7 pm.

Submitted by,

Jan Beatty

Jan Beatty

Secretary