Aging and Diability Commission - Minutes
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
MARCH 20, 2018
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
The regular meeting of the Aging and Disability Commission was held on March 20, 2018, in the Youth Room – Eno Memorial Hall – 754 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT.
PRESENT
Jan Beatty, Victor Bible, Sandee Fleet, Joy Himmelfarb, Marvin Koff, Edward LaMontagne, Cheryl Lauben, Mary Ellen Long, Kate Robbins, April Schmidt, Arlene Zappile, Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator), and Cheryl Cook (Board of Selectman Liaison)
EXCUSED
Lorraine Doonan, Mike Jennings, Susan Krinsky, Mark Orenstein, Diana Yeisley, and Susan Ray (Library)
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Edward J. LaMontagne, Chairman, at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge was recited.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
There was no one in attendance for public audience.
GUESTS
Jean Miles, Weatogue resident, came to observe the meeting.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING OF February 20, 2018
Dr. Koff moved to accept the minutes with one correction. Ms. Himmelfarb seconded. The corrected minutes were approved.
BOS LIAISON REPORT
Ms. Cook reported on the Public Building Committee’s discussion of the Eno Memorial Hall renovation. As she was unable to attend that committee’s recent meeting, Selectman Chris Kelly went in her place. Mr. Kelly spoke in support of the letters written by the Aging and Disability Commission proposing an assistive listening system based on Wi-Fi technology be installed both in Eno and wherever a new assistive listening system is required in town. Mr. Orenstein of this commission also spoke at the meeting in support of Wi-Fi technology with further details. No final decision was made. Ms. Cook also noted that the Board of Selectmen voted on the budget for the town with notable support for Social Services items; the Board of Finance will consider the budget this week.
SENIOR CENTER REPORT
Senior Center Director Ms. Marschall mentioned upcoming programs: “Dementia, Understanding the Disease,” Thursday, March 22 at 5:30 in the Program Room of the Simsbury Library (light dinner included); “Someone Must Wash the Dishes: An Anti-Suffrage Satire,” Sunday, March 25 at 2:30 in the Program Room of the library, celebrating Women’s History month; “Seven Secrets to Find Love Online,” Thursday, April 5 at 6:00 in the Program Room of the library. Ms. Marschall also noted that the St. Patrick’s Day party was well attended and enjoyed.
PROGRAM REPORTS
Souper Tuesday:
March 13th Souper Tuesday was cancelled because of snow. Mr. LaMontagne noted the difficulty in sustaining donations for the program. If the Senior Center were to charge for each Souper Tuesday, Ms. Marschall noted that the cost to seniors would be $3-$4. Ms. Schmidt suggested the commission could sponsor fewer than the seven lunches currently offered, perhaps quarterly, or have a breakfast instead of lunch. Attendance has been under 60. Mr. LaMontagne suggested that a decision about the program’s future be made at the June commission meeting.
Fashion Show: The fashion show has been moved to the fall (October). The FAVRAH Thrift Shop will assist the commission in hosting the event and Ms. Yeisley is the liaison.
Financials: The current balance in the account is $818.40.
Ø Picnic in the Park: The event will be held Saturday, August 25, 2018, and again at St. Catherine of Siena. Ms. Yeisley will be coordinating the plans.
OLD BUSINESS
Spring Seminar: Mr. Bible noted that the seminar will be held on Tuesday, April 24, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Program Room at the Simsbury Library. The title of the presentation has been revised and will be “Serving the Needs of People with Limitations.” Former Probate Judge Robert Killian will be the presenter. Mr. Bible and his committee presented a flyer and noted their marketing efforts to media. Ms. Doonan has offered refreshments following.
Eno Memorial Hall Renovations: Mr. LaMontagne noted that construction will start June 1 and continue throughout July and August.
Assistive Listening: As Ms. Cook noted in her report, Mr. LaMontagne sent two letters to the Public Building Committee recommending Wi-Fi assistive listening. Mr. LaMontagne commended commission member Mr. Orenstein for his extensive research on the subject.
Age-Friendly Community: Mr. LaMontagne provided a packet of information to commissioners to support the presentation that Ms. Murphy of AARP made last month to the commission. He ascertained that the First Selectman would be the town representative to submit the membership application to AARP. Mr. LaMontagne asked for commissioners’ help in providing information for the membership application. He plans to attend a Board of Selectman meeting in April (2nd and 4th Mondays) to present the livability scores AARP has ascribed to the town. Mr. LaMontagne suggested that the commission consider improving one or two of the lower scoring categories in working toward becoming an Age-Friendly Community. Ms. Schmidt suggested that the commission consider cost and time involved in each category.
NEW BUSINESS
Legislation: Mr. LaMontagne shared a list of bills that were raised in the legislative session on March 1, 2018. He asked that commissioners who had comments on any of these should contact him.
Employment for Individuals on Autism Spectrum: Though there are many sources for students, Mr. LaMontagne noted that there seem to be fewer sources available online for adults; he is still looking and will confer with Ms. Yeisley. Ms. Cook noted that Easter Seals out of New Haven may have a program for adults. Mr. LaMontage noted that he wants to get back to Ms. Ryan, who attended last month’s Public Audience, with whatever resources he finds.
Other:
Mr. LaMontagne noted that the Visitor Center is not accessible, and he asked the commission if he should send a letter noting that to the Board of Selectman. After a brief discussion, the issue was tabled.
Dr. Koff noted that he had been asked by Representative John Hampton to gather information about what our state is doing re mental health issues as they relate to mass killings. He said a Connecticut statute allows a physician to write an emergency certificate that provides for a 15-day confinement in a medical institution for anyone evaluated as dangerous to himself or others. Our state is also one of three that has a “risk warrant”; if a relative or school authority notes a danger, police can get a warrant to enter a home and confiscate weapons. Dr. Koff also said that there is no good evidence that the majority of mass killers have a mental illness.
Mr. LaMontagne brought to the commission’s attention that a deaf woman is bringing suit against Hartford HealthCare for not providing her with an interpreter during her 12-day stay at Hartford Hospital.
Mr. LaMontagne thanked Ms. Schmidt for her service on the commission, as she is leaving this week and moving to Missouri.
Ms. Robbins asked about the report from the Pedestrian and Bicycle plan, which Mr. LaMontagne said was forthcoming. In reference to pedestrian safety, Ms. Cook added that she advocates for accessibility; in reviewing a grant that the Board of Selectman is submitting, she pointed out that pavers were an impediment.
Ms. Robbins also noted that isolation is a difficult problem for seniors and asked if the commission had addressed it any way. Mr. LaMontagne noted that there is a Social Services program that suggests during storms that people check on their neighbors, but nothing that exists on a day-to-day basis.
Ms. Cook noted that Community for Care will be putting on a series of programs in May to highlight Prevention Week (May13-19), including a taped program on SCTV about alcoholism in older adults and a Narcan training program for adults at Eno Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business a request to adjourn the meeting was made. Dr. Koff made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Himmelfarb seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, April 17, 2018, 7:00 p.m., Youth Room, ENO Memorial Hall
Submitted by
Jan Beatty
Clerk