Aging and Disability Commission - Minutes

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION –REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 25, 2018

SUBJECT TO APPROVAL

The regular meeting of the Aging and Disability Commission was held on September 25, 2018, in the Hartford Room at McLean Care, 75 Great Pond, Simsbury.

PRESENT

Jan Beatty, Victor Bible, Anne Erickson, Sandee Fleet, Joy Himmelfarb, Mike Jennings, Marvin Koff, Susan Krinsky, Edward LaMontagne, Mark Orenstein, Kate Robbins, Diana Yeisley, Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator), and Cheryl Cook (Board of Selectman Liaison)

EXCUSED

Lorraine Doonan, Cheryl Lauben, Mary Ellen Long, Arlene Zappile, and Susan Ray (Library)

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Edward J. LaMontagne, Chairman, at 7:04 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge was not recited as there was no flag in the community-based Hartford Room at McLean.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE

None.

GUEST

Megan Gill, McLean Care, Director of Independent Living

Ms. Gill welcomed the Commission and said how happy she was that we could use their community room. 

She mentioned that their accessible “Smart House” (an adaptive technology center) is open to the public every Tuesday from 2-4 pm to demonstrate the latest technology advances for better living as people age.

She noted that McLean is doing major renovations and updates at the facility and they’ve created a social accountability report. This past year McLean provided more than $2 million in free services to the community, including meals on wheels, low-income assistance for various programs, and community outreach. She indicated that McLean wants to be a good partner with the town of Simsbury, and she encouraged the Commission to keep McLean in mind if there is anything they might be able to help with. 

McLean is a 501(3)(c) organization and supports their building program through fundraising. They are a life-plan community that includes a 65-bed skilled nursing facility, post-acute facility, three levels of assisted living, independent living, a gym, wellness center, and a home care operation.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES - Regular Meeting of June 12, 2018

The minutes were approved without correction.

BOS LIAISON REPORT

Selectwoman Cook noted that last night the Board of Selectman passed a water ordinance in the event of a water emergency. The BOS also passed an ordinance to establish a new Economic Development Commission (EDC), which will be chosen by the board, and political affiliation will not be taken into account. There will be a 3-year term and a 2-term limit, and she noted that they have had more than 20 applicants.  Goal-setting sessions for the EDC have begun. She also noted that Curaleaf is investing more than $10 million in their new facility, which previously housed Eversource. Also notable is that the issues with Deepwater Wind solar farm have been settled with the result that additional water and soil testing will be done. Finally, she noted that Mike Glidden has been hired as the new Director of Planning and Community Development. 

SENIOR CENTER REPORT

Senior Center Director Ms. Marschall noted that the Simsbury Wellness Fair will be held Thursday, September 27th, from 10-12 at the Simsbury Library. The town’s new café lunch program will be offered weekly at the Senior Center, beginning on Tuesday, November 6, with soup and sandwich options. Ms. Marschall thanked McLean for their help with this program.

PROGRAM REPORTS

Picnic in the Park – Ms. Yeisley noted that about 80 people attended and was pleased to see some new faces in the crowd.  All involved seemed to enjoy the event. The Commission thanked Ms. Yeisley for organizing the event. Funds expended: $1,232.66; remaining in the fund is $267.34.

Fashion Show – Ms. Yeisley has volunteered to help Ms. Marschall with the event, to be held Tuesday, October 9, 2018. The free event is cosponsored by the ARC of Farmington Valley Thrift Store and the Simsbury Senior Center.  Lunch is sponsored by the Aging and Disability Commission. Ms. Yeisley noted they are looking for models.  Dr. Koff noted he would be willing to help serve lunch. Balance in the Aging and Disability Commission

Donation Account (formerly Souper Tuesday Account) is $590.40. About $300 will be used for this fall luncheon, leaving a comparable amount for the spring event.

OLD BUSINESS

ENO Renovation Update: Ms. Marschall noted that renovations should be completed this week; an Open House is scheduled for October 2, 2018.

Age Friendly Community Update: Mr. LaMontagne noted that the Town Manager reconsidered her position, stated at the June Aging and Disability Commission meeting, and agreed to write a support letter to the AARP, which she did in June.  An email was received in September from AARP in Washington, DC, saying they were pleased to note the town’s interest in achieving Age Friendly Community status and said the application is the next step. McLean has indicated they would be interested in helping with the venture.

Spring Seminar:  Mr. LaMontagne asked if the Commission wanted to have another seminar in the spring. Mr. Bible offered to coordinate it again and asked for some ideas for topics.  Ms. Yeisley suggested that we alternate years between aging and disability, the two areas of the Commission.  Ms. Yeisley suggested technology; Ms. Beatty noted a topic once discussed by Ms. Robbins and suggested isolation.  Ms. Gill noted that McLean would be pleased to partner with the Commission on the seminar and noted that isolation and depression are often mediated through technology.  Ms. Himmelfarb suggested focusing on caregivers. Ms. Cook also suggested addressing alcoholism and drug use in senior populations, along with higher suicide rates. Ms. Krinsky said she would be happy to work with Mr. Bible and Ms. Gill on the seminar committee and will propose a narrowed topic at the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Future Meeting Locations: All agreed that McLean’s community room was a welcoming and comfortable location.  Future locations for the Commission meetings are to be determined.

November Election: Mr. LaMontagne will be sending reminders about accessibility at the polls to the Board of Registrar and asked commission members to be aware of any irregularities at polling locations.

News Article: Mr. LaMontagne shared an article about the aging population hurting CT’s economic growth.

Other: Alan Needham sent an email asking if the Commission would be interested in supporting a program in Simsbury to provide a clearing house for used medical equipment for those in need. Ms. Gill noted that liability issues may be a limitation. Mr. LaMontagne will invite him to come to the October meeting to provide further detail.

Ms. Yeisley met with Ms. Marschall and Ms. Formanek to discuss having a few more events for the disability community.  She proposed having a sensory-friendly Santa event, sponsored by the Commission. Mr. Bible made a motion that the Commission sponsor the event, to be held Friday, December 7, from 4-6 pm.  Ms. Robbins seconded.  All agreed and the motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business a request to adjourn the meeting was made.  Ms. Himmelfarb made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Yeisley seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:26 pm.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 7:00 p.m., location to be determined

Submitted by,

Jan Beatty

Clerk