Aging and Disability Commission Minutes 10/16/2012

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Town of Simsbury
Aging and Disability Commission

Tuesday, 16 October 2012 – 7:00 P.M.
Youth Room – Eno Memorial Hall
      Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury

Meeting Minutes - Draft

Chairperson Edward LaMontagne called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. in the Youth Room of Eno Memorial Hall, Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury

Present: Edward LaMontagne, Grace Comeau, Kathie Fallon, Mona Herman, Mike Jennings, Marvin Koff, Mary Ellen Long, Mona Martinik, Mark Orenstein, Peggy Shanks, Lynn Veith, Ron Zappile, Kathleen Marschall, (Senior Center Coordinator)

Excused: Carrie Kramer, Victor Bible, Charlotte Steptoe, Arlene Zappile, John Hampton (Board of Selectmen Liaison), Arpit Dave (Student Liaison)

Chairman LaMontagne appointed Mr. Orenstein (alt.) as a regular member for this meeting

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Was recited by those in attendance

PUBLIC AUDIENCE: There were no members from the public in attendance.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (18 September 2012):  The minutes were approved with spelling and grammatical errors

PROGRAM/SUB COMMITTEE REPORTS
    Souper Tuesday - 10/09/12
•    Event Update:  The Lions Club volunteered to serve for the October event. Over 60 individuals participated.
•    Fashion Show:  The Fashion Show, sponsored by the Second Hand Shop, was a big success.  Many members of the community participated. The event was held after Souper Tuesday and many of those individuals watched the show.
•    Mr. LaMontagne distributed reconciliation for Souper Tuesday.  We currently have a balance of $400.94 in the Souper Tuesday account, which should be sufficient to cover the next event in November. Fund raising will need to take place to fund this event for the spring.

SENIOR CENTER REPORT
•    Nine students and two faculty members from Westminster School made and served lunch to seniors on October 4th. The students participated as part of their community day.
•    Senior Citizen Night was held last week at the High School. Seniors enjoyed a dinner and football game. There is another event scheduled for November, which will be a concert.  
•    A new Friday lunch program has begun and is sponsored by McLean.  There were about 40 attendees for the first lunch. Serving time is between 11:30 am and1:00 pm.



Aging and Disability Commission
Draft Meeting Minutes
16 October 2012
Page Two

STUDENT LIAISON REPORT
•    No report was provided due to the absence of the student liaison.

OLD BUSINESS
    Handicapped Parking
•    A report was received that there are no handicapped parking spaces at a business located at 730 Hopmeadow Street. Upon investigation there are two spaces in the rear of the building, but they do not have any signs. There is a portable ramp to enter the Hear Again business, but there is no ramp for the remainder of the building.  Mr. LaMontagne will follow up with zoning enforcement at Town Hall.
•    Mr. Jennings reported that a car was parked illegally on the striped area in front of Battiston’s at Drake Hill Mall. The car did have an appropriate handicapped parking tag. Mr. Jennings did however have to contact the police because he was unable to access his vehicle. Mr. LaMontagne will send a letter to the Police Department requesting ideas for what can be done in these situations and the commission will continue to investigate and educate the community.  
    Senior Center Study
•    Mr. LaMontagne, Mr. Orenstein and Ms. Martinik attended the Public Building Sub Committee Meeting on October 9th.  At that time the architect provided six possible locations for a new Senior Center. Three options were rejected and three remained under consideration. (Performing Arts Center, Bushy Hill/Stratton Brook and Iron Horse Blvd). A public hearing regarding the development of a new Senior Center will be held in either November or December.
    Schools & Senior Outreach
•    Mr. LaMontagne reported on a committee meeting held on October 10th.  The meeting was held to review the background and purpose of the Senior Citizen Outreach and to report of planned activities. To date 460 VIP passes have been distributed to seniors. Seniors are invited to attend a dinner coupled with a sporting event. When possible a coach will address the seniors prior to a game. A senior /student choir is being developed for the spring.  The numbers are down for the senior’s school volunteer program.
    Other
•    There was no other old business to report.

NEW BUSINESS
    Voter Accessibility Issues
•    Mr. LaMontagne met with First Selectman Mary Glassman regarding accessibility concerns, which were noticed during voting in May.  Ms. Glassman was very receptive and asked that she be provided specific concerns.  Ms. Long stated that students will be available during the next election, in November, to assist disabled individuals with accessibility. Also, individuals will be available to facilitate curbside parking.  We will make this issue part of our action plan for 2013.
    Proposed Meeting Dates – 2013
•    Mr. LaMontagne distributed the proposed meeting dates for 2013.  The Commissioners were asked to review these dates so they may be voted on at the next meeting.  


Aging and Disability Commission
Draft Meeting Minutes
16 October 2012
Page Three

    Action Plan – 2013  
•    Mr. LaMontagne asked Commissioners to think about issues to be included in the 2013 Action Plan. The plan will be finalized at the November meeting. Suggestions thus far include, handicapped parking and voting accessibility.  
    Senior Safety Initiative:
•    Mr. LaMontagne distributed an article, which was in a May edition of the Hartford Courant. The article spoke of a Senior Safety Initiative, which was launched in Canton.  Ms. Marschall will research this program and report back to the commission, at the next meeting, as to whether or not this is something which should be undertaken in Simsbury.
    NCRMHB Update:
•    Mr. LaMontagne distributed an update copy of the North Central Regional Mental Health Board Emergency and Non- Emergency Telephone Directory for Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Other Services.
    Other:
•    Mr. Bible placed a press release regarding the Disability Awareness Award in several newspapers. The article did run in the Hartford Courant and Simsbury News.   
•    Mr. LaMontagne distributed a list for Commissioners to sign up to be called to assist at a community shelter should one be needed.

CORRESPONDENCE
•    There was no correspondence for review at this meeting.

OTHER BUSINESS:
    Ron Zappile invited everyone to an Open House at the Simsbury Housing Authority on Thursday, October 18th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT:  
There being no further business a motion was made by Mr. Zappile to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Dr. Koff.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm.

NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting will be a Special Meeting to be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday 13 November 2012 in the Youth Room at Eno Memorial Hall.


Respectfully Submitted,

Lynn Veith

Lynn R. Veith
Clerk