Aging & Disability Commission - Minutes

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION

Via Zoom and recorded

Regular Meeting February 21, 2023 – 7:00 pm

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION--REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

February 21, 2023

SUBJECT TO APPROVAL

PRESENT

Jan Beatty, Vic Bible, Cheryl Cook, Sandee Fleet, Deb Glass, Terry Henault, Mike Jennings, Shannon Leary, Jen Seiderer, Amber Abbuhl (BOS liaison), Susan Ray (library liaison), and Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator)

EXCUSED

Robin Batchelder, Anne Erickson Kate Robbins, and Diana Yeisley

CALL TO ORDER: Ms.Leary , Vice Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS

None received.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting of January 17, 2023

Ms. Hennault moved to accept the minutes without correction; Ms. Glass seconded and the motion passed.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN (BOS) LIAISON REPORT: Ms. Abbuhl noted that the public hearing about cannabis was rescheduled for Monday, Feb 27 at BOS meeting.The budget will come to BOS from Town Manager for review on February 27.

SENIOR CENTER REPORT

Ms. Marschall said that the Memory Café was held last week at the library with an active group who made winter-themed greeting cards.  Next one will be March 14 at McLean at 1:00. Last week was the beginning of the AARP tax assistance  program, which will run through April 13; appointments can be made through the Senior Center. She also noted that the  FVVNA does blood pressure and blood sugar screenings every Wednesday at the Senior Center from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm; no appointment needed.

PROGRAMS

Fashion Show – 2023: Ms. Batchelder was absent; date of show to be discussed at next meeting.

Souper Thursday: $1000 received from Granby/Simsbury Rotary Club.  Dates to be discussed at next meeting

Spring Movie Event: Scheduled for April 23, Sunday, at 2:00 in the Program Room and movie to be either Rise of Gru or Puss n Boots.

Picnic in the Park:  Probable date is 7/15. Skating Rink likely venue with Fitzgerald’s as caterer. Tabled until next meeting.

OLD BUSINESS

Age Friendly Community Update and Survey: Ms. Beatty summarized that working group is in process of planning focus groups to be held in late March/early April. Ms. Cook suggested going to some of the town boards to find focus group members.

Affordable Housing Update: Vessel Holdings Project: Ms. Cook noted that they have been providing information about the project to the BOS but will not approve or disapprove.  She advised that educational forum will be held in May and other info can be found on SCTV and through YouTube. 

Disability Employment Resource List: Ms. Cook noted no changes to the list. Ms. Cook noted that the commission might encourage the town to hire more people with disabilities. Ms. Beatty suggested a letter from the commission asking about town policy for hiring those with disabilities. Tabled until next meeting.

Spring Presentation/Seminar: Mr. Bible noted their working group met twice but hasn’t yet narrowed down the topic. Tabled until next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Food Pantry update: Ms. Seiderer had no update; tabled until next meeting.

Disability and Age-Friendly (Accessible) Job Applications for businesses in town including TOS jobs: Tabled until next meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

Ms. Cook moved to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Bible seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 pm.

Next meeting:  March 21, 2023 at 7 pm via Zoom.

Submitted by

Jan Beatty

Secretary