Aging & Disability Commission - Minutes

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting – February 20, 2024 – 7:00 P.M.

Eno Memorial Hall – Youth Room IN PERSON

MEETING MINUTES - SUBJECT TO APPROVAL

PRESENT: Ed LaMontagne, Jan Beatty, Margaret Haldeman, Deb Glass, Cheryl Cook, Libby Easton-May, Sandee Fleet (on phone), Mike Jennings, Kate Robbins, Jen Seiderer, Anne Erickson, and Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator)

EXCUSED: Terry Henault, Diana Yeisley, Claire Corbett,

ABSENT: Robin Batchelder

CALL TO ORDER: Ed LaMontagne, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The pledge was recited.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENT

Lauren Purple-Sales attended the meeting to learn about the commission.  She noted her personal interest in the commission’s responsibilities as well as her own expertise working with persons with disabilities (students).

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES -Special Meeting of January 22. 2024

Kate Robbins moved to accept the minutes. Anne Erickson seconded. Cheryl Cook abstained.  The motion passed and the minutes were accepted.

BOS LIAISON REPORT

Diana Yeisley, BOS liaison, was excused for this meeting.

SENIOR CENTER REPORT

Kathleen Marschall, Senior Center Coordinator, noted the only elevator in Eno Hall is now out of service while being replaced.  Service began February 20 and will likely continue until the end of April.  Ramps have been installed at the front of the building. Programs and meetings have been moved to accommodate this disruption.  She also distributed the latest “Senior Communicator” which highlights programs, issues, and services for older adults in Simsbury.

AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY            

Jan Beatty reported progress in setting up three (total) focus groups.

            April 24 at McLean, 7-8:30pm

            April 26 at the Library (Weatogue Room), 2-3:30pm

            The third focus group will hopefully take place in Tariffville.

Ellis Dillon, UConn Center for Aging, will be helping promote the focus groups as will McLean

There are currently 833 active Age Friendly Communities.

Concern about lack of responses from 50-65 yr. olds and from Tariffville

Age Friendly questionnaire was included in Books to Your Door and will be included with McLean Meals on Wheels. Kate Robbins has created a g-mail address to collect responses, agefriendlysims@gmail.com

Jan Beatty described an exemplary Age-Friendly Community, Saco, ME.

501C3, recipient of AARP Challenge Grant and the funding was used to expand rider services.

They do fundraising by mail, have sponsors as well as city support

Their Age-Friendly Community committee has 140 volunteers

They also utilize a website, social media, relationship with local media, quarterly newsletter, andvarious celebrations

Branding: “Saco, a community for a lifetime”        

A motion was made by Jan Beatty to appoint Kate Robbins as an official member of the Age-Friendly Community Subcommittee. Cheryl Cook seconded.The motion was approved unanimously.

PROGRAMS

Spring Movie Event – Plan is to have a sensory-friendly movie event, with Luca, will be held March 24 at 2:00 at the library. Popcorn/snacks. Jen Seiderer offered to create the promotional flyer

Picnic at the Farms – July 20th at Simsbury Farms Ice Rink. Margaret Haldeman is working with Kathy Marschall on logistics, funding, entertainment.

Souper Thursday, targeting May 9th but we have to find funding.

Costs have escalated from $6/person to almost $7.50/person, >$400/Souper

Typical number of participants 40-60/lunch

Looking into options for subsidized food and fundraising

Antonio’s, Big Y, Jersey Mike’s, First Church, Rotary

COMMISSION BROCHURE

Kate Robbins has shared the final version of the brochure.  Permissions for photo uses and Town Seal will be completed. Questions about the cost of and funding for printing remain.

OLD BUSINESS

Aging & Disability Resource List

Jen Seiderer has compiled the list, acknowledging it will continue to change.  Disability Resource List is included. Discussion about best practices to produce a hard copy of this largely digital material for use at the library. Jen plans to create a new Google account in order to save the compilation on that Google Drive.

Jan Beatty asked about past efforts to create a “short version”.  Kate Robbins recalls that project was deemed largely redundant with information that Social Services had put together.

Affordable Housing Update 

Cheryl Cook reported on the creation of the Housing Advisory Committee comprised of members of relevant existing commissions. Expectation that a commissioner from Aging & Disability will have a seat. Goal to create Housing Plan.

Spring Seminar

Ed LaMontagne reported on the Services for Seniors Forum on Tues 4/9 at SPL 1:30 – 3:00pm. The forum will include Simsbury Steps to Safety Program, a presentation about the Simsbury Loan Locker and a report on the Age-Friendly Community process.

For All Ages plans a program for the fall on Addressing Loneliness.  Deb Bibbins (For all Ages) has asked for volunteer from the commission for this program. They will need to attend training/brainstorming sessions on 3/23 @2-3:30, 4/18 @6-7:30 and 5/11 @ 3-4:30

Town Hall Elevator

Ed LaMontagne and Diana Yeisley met with Tom Roy.  The current proposal will not include a chair lift.  Meetings will be hybrid.  Departments on the 2nd floor will hold meetings on lower level (SPD interview room).  Logistics for Probate Court and other activities are not complete.  Town Hall elevator work will begin after the Eno Hall elevator service is complete.

NEW BUSINESS

Early voting

Ed LaMontagne was contacted by Karen Cortes, Registrar of Voters (D), to ask for assistance with early voting.  Ed La Montagne will follow up with Karen Cortes.  Cheryl Cook offered to follow up with Susan Salinas, Registrar of Voters (R).

Bring Me Back Home (https://portal.ct.gov/DESPP/Division-of-Emergency-Service-and-Public-Pro...)

Ed LaMontagne introduced this Registry for residents living with cognitive challenges, such as Dementia or Autism which is designed to assist in the recovery of missing or wandering persons.

COMMISSION UPDATES

            Shannon Leary has resigned from the Commission. We look forward to filing this vacancy.

            Susan Ray, Library Liaison, is retiring from the SPL.  We look forward to meeting our new library liaison.

ADJOURNMENT – meeting adjourned without objection at 8:28pm

Next meeting: March 19, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., Eno Memorial Hall

Submitted by:

Margaret Haldeman