Age-Friendly Community Subcommittee - Minutes

Meeting date: 
Thursday, February 1, 2024

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION

Age Friendly Community Subcommittee

Regular Meeting - Thursday, February 1, 2024 – 2:30 P.M.

Eno Memorial Hall – Old Court Room IN PERSON

MINUTES Subject to Approval

Jan Beatty, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 2:45 p.m.

PRESENT: Jan Beatty, Mike Jennings, Katie Robbins

EXCUSED: Ed LaMontagne, Cheryl Cook, Libby Easton-May

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENT: Ms. Marcia Russell, resident of Simsbury.
Ms. Russell introduced herself as a relatively new resident who was interested in learning about the services entitled to the older adults. Ms. Beatty gave an overview of the committee survey of residents to date and of the plans for focus groups.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting on Thursday, December 7, 2023
There being no quorum, there was no vote.

OLD BUSINESS

  • Stakeholders/Community Partners:

To date, the following remains to be completed:

  • Ms. Beatty noted that Ms. Easton-May sent a written note that she had submitted surveys to Anthropology and Simsbury Newcomers with planned follow up. She also reached out to Simsbury Neighbors about distributing the survey and is waiting to hear back.
  • UCONN Center for Aging – Ms. Beatty announced that Professor Ellis Dillon offered to lend assistance in running the focus groups. She also cited the recommended agenda (on page 11) from the AARP ROADMAP TO LIVABILITY COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION.
  • Collation of data from stakeholder meetings:

Ms. Beatty will compile this information using the Housing Subcommittee format.

  • Information to Board of Selectman: Ms. Beatty suggested the planned one-page intro to be distributed to BOS will need to wait until May so that the April focus group information can be included.

Age Friendly Community Sub-Committee

NEW BUSINESS

  • Survey Distribution:
  • Books to Your Door, Simsbury Library – Ms. Robbins dropped off 25 surveys to be distributed in the book bags.
  • Meals on Wheels recipients – Ms. Beatty will discuss the possibility of distributing the survey with the McLean coordinator.
  • Dates and Locations for Focus Groups:
  • April 24, Wednesday evening (time and location to be determined)
  • April 26, Friday, 2-3:30, Simsbury Public Library
  • April 27, Saturday day (time and location to be determined)
  • Creating Call for Focus Group Members:
  • Ms. Beatty and Ms. Robbins will work on the text and seek Professor Ellis Dillon’s suggestions.
  • After discussion, it was decided that Ms. Robbins would create the generic Gmail address, agefriendlysims@gmail.com to be used for the contact identification.  
  • Report on January 9, 2024 AARP webinar on Community Challenge Grant:
    • Ms. Beatty reiterated information given at 1/16/24 Aging and Disability Commission meeting.     
  • Upcoming AARP Age-Friendly Network Webinars:
  • Tuesday, February 13th, C3-4 pm EST: Effectively Communicating Your Age-Friendly Initiatives and Activities https://events.aarp.org/yyBvdm?locale=en
  • Tuesday, March 12th, 3-4 pm EST: Creative Ways that Communities are Engaging Volunteers
  • https://events.aarp.org/0Pr9ve?locale=en
  • Tuesday, April 9th, 3-4 pm EST: Addressing Housing Issues https://events.aarp.org/wrxA7o?locale=en

ADJOURNMENT

  • There being no further business, Ms. Beatty adjourned the meeting at 3: 45 pm.

Next Meeting: March 7, 2024 at 2:30 pm in person Eno Memorial Hall