Aging & Disability Commission - Minutes

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting June 20, 2023 – 7:00 pm

Eno Memorial Hall, Old Court Room

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION--REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

June 20, 2023

APPROVED

PRESENT

Robin Batchelder, Jan Beatty, Libby Easton-May, Anne Erickson, Sandee Fleet, Margaret Haldeman, Mike Jennings, Shannon Leary, Kate Robbins, Diana Yeisley, Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator), Susan Ray (library liaison), and Amber Abbuhl (BOS liaison)

EXCUSED

Vic Bible, Cheryl Cook, Deb Glass, Terry Henault, Ed LaMontagne, and Jen Seiderer

CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chair Diana Yeisley at 7: 05 pm.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting of May 16, 2023

Ms. Fleet moved to accept the minutes without correction; Ms. Leary seconded and the motion passed.

Ms. Yeisley noted that Vic Bible has resigned from the commission effective immediately due to health issues.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN (BOS) LIAISON REPORT: Ms. Abbuhl noted that the BOS had a presentation from Finance about the town revaluation and appeals process; the PowerPoint is available on the Simsbury town web site. She noted that the search for a new Town Manager is nationwide and ongoing, with the goal of having a selection by fall. In the meantime, Interim Town Manager Lee Erdmann, who has 40-50 years of experience in town management, is on board.

SENIOR CENTER REPORT

Ms. Marschall noted that there will be two community sessions at Eno Memorial--July 17 at 5:30 and July 20 at 1:30-- to discuss how best to use the roughly $60,000 the town received from ARPA funds to support upgrades at the Senior Center.She noted that the fourth Memory Café will be held June 21 at the library with the next one July 19 at 2 pm at the library.Finally, she noted that on Thursday, June 29 at 12:30, the Farmington Valley Health District and Simsbury Police are hosting a luncheon with a presentation on medication safe storage; register through the Senior Center.

Ms. Beatty moved that the following agenda item about becoming an Age-Friendly Community be added to the agenda; Ms. Erickson seconded and the motion passed.

AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY: Ms. Yeisley noted that subsequent to the commission’s presentation to the BOS about the Age-Friendly survey results, the BOS indicated that the commission should move forward. The commission proposed a subcommittee.

Vote to Create Subcommittee: Ms. Robbins moved to create a subcommittee; Ms. Fleet seconded.Motion passed unanimously to officially create an Age Friendly Subcommittee.

Vote on Purpose of Subcommittee –To Become an AARP Age-Friendly Community with Designation: Mr. Jennings moved to establish the subcommittee’s purpose; Ms. Erickson seconded.Motion passed unanimously on the purpose of the subcommittee to work toward becoming a designated AARP Age-Friendly Community.

Vote on Number of Members:Ms. Leary moved that the subcommittee have 5 members; Ms. Robbins seconded.Ms. Yeisley noted that volunteers can attend meetings but may not vote. Motion passed unanimously to officially have 5 members of the subcommittee.

Vote on Current Members: Ms. Leary moved that current commission members Jan Beatty, Mike Jennings, Cheryl Cook, and Diana Yeisley become subcommittee members; Ms. Fleet seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Vote on Meeting Calendar – 1st Thursday of the month at 2:30 at Eno Memorial, beginning with a Special Meeting on July 6: Mr. Jennings moved to accept the subcommittee calendar; Ms. Leary seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Vote on Length of Subcommittee Work – 2 years:Ms. Leary moved that the length of the subcommittee be extended to 4 years.Ms. Beatty seconded and the motion passed with one abstention by Ms. Yeisley.

Ms. Marschall thanked Trish Munroe, Town Clerk, for all her help in establishing what was needed to create an official subcommittee.

PROGRAMS

July Picnic at the Farms: Ms. Yeisley noted it will be held July 15 at 6 pm at the Simsbury Farms skating rink. Ms. Haldeman noted that Fitzgerald’s and magician are on board. Ms. Haldeman asked that commissioners come at 5 pm for setup and bring water. Ms. Ray will see if library can provide bubble machine. Ms. Yeisley provided a flyer for the event.

Fashion Show: Ms. Batchelder had nothing further to report about the October 19th event.

Drum Circle Event: Ms. Yeisley noted that this event will be held Monday, October 25, at 1 pm at the library.

Halloween Event: Ms. Yeisley noted it will be October 30, Monday, 4:30-6:30 at the library in the Program Room.

Sensory Santa Event: Ms. Yeisley noted it will be held December 2, 2-4 pm at library Program Room, and Santa has accepted the invitation.

OLD BUSINESS

Affordable Housing Update: Ms. Cook was absent but noted that the DEI Housing work group is working on a grant report due June 30. She also noted that the multi-town Juneteenth  event was a success and she hopes to plan for next year.

Disability Employment Resource List: No update.

Handicapped/Accessible Parking Awareness Month: Ms. Leary and Ms. Abbuhl agreed to post videos to broaden the awareness of June as Handicapped/Accessible Parking Awareness Month.

Accessibility Issues in Businesses/Accessibility Awareness – No update.

Fall IDEA Presentation/Seminar: Ms. Leary noted that she and Katie Krasula will do an IDEA presentation in the fall and plan a date. 

Fall Seminar:  Commission had discussed doing a seminar on loneliness. Ms. Easton-May mentioned that she will reach out to Deb Bibbins. 

Nominations:  Ms. Yeisley tabled until fall meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Autism Program at SPL: Ms. Leary and Ms. Batchelder will meet to discuss.

ADJOURNMENT

Ms. Robbins moved to adjourn the meeting and Ms. Fleet seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:33 pm.

Next meeting:  September 19, 2023 at 7 pm in person at Eno Memorial Hall, Youth Room.

Submitted by

Jan Beatty

Secretary