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Aging & Disability Commission - Minutes

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, May 16, 2023

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting May 16, 2023 – 7:00 pm

Eno Memorial Hall, Youth Room

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION--REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

May 16, 2023

APPROVED

PRESENT

Jan Beatty, Vic Bible, Cheryl Cook, Sandee Fleet, Margaret Haldeman, Mike Jennings, Ed LaMontagne, Kate Robbins, Jen Seiderer, Terry Henault, Diana Yeisley, Susan Ray (library liaison), and Amber Abbuhl (BOS liaison)

EXCUSED

Robin Batchelder, Libby Easton-May, Anne Erickson, Shannon Leary, Deb Glass, and Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator)

CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chair Diana Yeisley at 7: 04 pm.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS​​​​​​​

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting of April 18, 2023

Mr. LaMontagne moved to accept the minutes with two corrections in adjournment line: Ms. Robbins made the motion and Ms. Erickson seconded; Ms. Fleet seconded and the motion passed. Ms. Cook and Ms. Yeisley abstained.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN (BOS) LIAISON REPORT: Ms. Abbuhl noted that BOS held a public hearing and passed ordinances regarding sewer fees that will help provide relief for individuals. She noted that the budget provided an additional $100,000 to Housing Authority for improvements. She also noted that the library is applying for a grant to provide seniors with art classes. Lastly, she noted that interviews will be held nationwide for the Town Manager position as consultant has been chosen; they are also looking for input from town stakeholders.

SENIOR CENTER REPORT

Ms. Marschall provided a report saying that a concert by The Sound Pipers will be held Sunday, June 11, from 2-3:30 pm in the Friends Program Room of the library.  The next Simsbury Stories Memory Café will be held Wednesday, June 21, 2-3 pm in the Friends Program Room. The Senior Center will host a Medicare Bootcamp on Wednesday, June 7, from 1-2 pm, presented by the Senior Resources Agency on Aging. Finally, an intergenerational cookout will be held on Thursday, June 22, from 11:30-1:30 pm during which you can make a tie-dye t-shirt; event will be on north lawn at Eno Memorial Hall.

PROGRAMS

  • Spring Movie Event: Ms. Yeisley noted that about 20 people attended to watch the Rise of Gru at the library and it was well received; commission agreed to hold again next year.
  • Souper Thursday: Ms. Yeisley thanked the Rotary for helping reestablish this event.  Several commissioners helped to serve the 42 people. The next Souper Thursday will be October 19.
  • July Picnic at the Farms: Ms. Yeisley noted it will be held July 15 at 6 pm at the Simsbury Farms skating rink with food from Fitzgerald’s. Mr. LaMontagne will ask Rotary in fall for another donation. Ms. Haldeman volunteered to help with planning.
  • Fashion Show: Ms. Batchelder was absent; further details for the October 19th event to come.
  • Drum Circle Event: Ms. Yeisley conveyed that Social Services received a request from a drumming group to host an intergenerational drumming event for all abilities. Social Services will cover the cost and co-host with the Aging and Disability Commission at the library. Ms. Ray noted that library rooms are being reserved now for the fall and a date should be determined.
  • Halloween Event: Ms. Yeisley spoke with Ms. Marshall and they agreed on October 30, Monday, 4:30-6:30 at the library. She mentioned that the sensory Santa event would be discussed in the fall.

OLD BUSINESS

  • Age Friendly Community Update and Presentation to BOS 5/8/23:  Ms. Beatty provided a summary of the presentation; BOS encouraged moving the initiative forward to the next step by having focus group meetings. A subcommittee per BOS directive will include Ms. Yeisley, Ms. Beatty, Mr. LaMontagne, Mr. Jennings, and Ms. Cook with dates for meetings to be established.
  • Affordable Housing Update: Ms. Cook noted that the Vessel proposal was voted down. The public housing forum conducted by a facilitator from Florida had 84 attendees. Ms. Cook noted that a grant report to the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for their progress over the past 18 months will be done first and they will then plan a follow-up to the public forum.
  • Disability Employment Resource List: Ms. Cook noted it should go on the website and be given to Ms. Marschall.
  • Handicapped/Accessible Parking Awareness Month: Ms. Yeisley noted that June has traditionally been proclaimed as Handicapped/Accessible Parking Awareness month. Several commissioners suggested adding videos to social media to highlight the issue. A request for a proclamation for Accessible Parking Awareness Month will go to BOS.
  • Accessibility Issues in Businesses/Accessibility Awareness – Ms. Yeisley suggested that a group including Ms. Seiderer, Mr. LaMontagne, and Mr. Jennings will consider how best to take on the initiative to provide information for public consumption. Mr. Jennings also suggested that the commission create a library of past documents/videos as an archive.
  • Spring/Fall Presentation/Seminar: Mr. Bible had no report. Several commission members suggested the topic of loneliness as per the Surgeon General’s advisory report “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation” that Ms. Yeisley had shared with the commission.  A fall presentation will be planned.
  • Nominations: Ms. Easton-May was absent.

NEW BUSINESS

None

ADJOURNMENT

Ms. Cook   moved to adjourn the meeting and Mr. LaMontagne seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.

Next meeting:  June 20, 2023 at 7 pm in person at Eno Memorial Hall, Youth Room.

Submitted by

Jan Beatty

Secreta