Aging and Disability Commission - Minutes

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION –REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

APRIL 16, 2019

SUBJECT TO APPROVAL

The regular meeting of the Aging and Disability Commission was held at 7:00 p.m. on April 16, 2019, in the Hartford Room of The Village at McLean Care, 75 Great Pond, Simsbury.

PRESENT

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

EXCUSED

Lorraine Doonan, Susan Krinsky, Cheryl Lauben, Susan Ray (Library), and Arlene Zappile

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Edward J. LaMontagne, Chairman, at 7:05 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge was recited.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE

Rosemarie Hargrave, Simsbury resident, came to comment on the poor acoustics in Eno Memorial auditorium. She said she could not hear the play performed last week by the Theatre Guild and stated she would not attend another performance until upgrades have been made. Ms. Yeisley, a member of Theatre Guild, noted that the Guild did not have money to rent microphones for actors.  She also mentioned that the town understands the need to improve the sound in the auditorium. Mr. Orenstein commented that the sound panels have been installed to help the reverberations and that new assisted-listening devices are still in the plan. Ms. Cook noted that by the end of 2020 the town will have another auditorium, at the renovated Henry James school, which should alleviate the need for an acoustically sound auditorium. Ms. Hargrave provided her contact information and Mr. LaMontagne said he would advise her when upgrades had been made.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES - Regular Meeting of March 19, 2019

The minutes were approved without correction.

BOS LIAISON REPORT

Selectwoman Cook noted that the Public Hearing on the town budget will be continued on Tuesday, April 23, for further discussion of the budget and the referendum for approval is scheduled for May 14. She also said that the 350th Committee will be converted into an official town committee next week, which will give the committee access to town resources.

SENIOR CENTER REPORT

Senior Center Director Ms. Marschall noted that they held the first veteran’s coffee, and 12 veterans attended.They invited John Hampton to attend the next meeting, which is Monday, May 6, at 10 am at Eno. The Senior Center and McLean are hosting a therapy putty workshop on May 6 at 1 pm at the Senior Center.She also reported that the main firehouse is hosting a free breakfast May 23 at 9 am for seniors; registration through the Senior Center is required. Finally, she said that the Connecticut Radio Information Center (CRIS) will be coming to the Senior Center to talk about their services and how to access them on May 16 at 10 am.

PROGRAM REPORTS

Spring “Souper Tuesday” Event will be held May 14.  Ms. Marschall noted that lunch will be at noon and Tim Mayotte will be performing in the auditorium at 12:45 pm. The Lion’s Club is hosting. She reported a total of $494 in the Super Tuesday donation account.

Picnic in the Park: Ms. Yeisley said the date has been scheduled for July 27 from 11:30 am-1:30 pm. She noted that we now have a contact list for people coming to events in the past. The program will be much like last year’s. Ms. Marschall suggested some flower-making crafts for the tables, to be carried over from the Spring Fling event.

Sensory Friendly Spring Fling: Ms. Yeisley noted that the event was roughly as well attended as the holiday event and was equally well liked. An article about the event will appear in the next Valley Press. Feedback was very positive, with suggestions for a Halloween sensory friendly event. Mr. LaMontagne thanked Ms. Yeisley for coordinating the event.

OLD BUSINESS

Age Friendly Community Update: Mr. LaMontagne met with the Town Manager two weeks ago and presented her with the AARP certificate citing Simsbury’s acceptance as an applicant, which he hopes she will share with the Board of Selectmen. He noted that as applicants we are now at Step 2, Information Gathering and Planning. He provided a list of possible contacts and invited other possibilities from commission members. He hopes to have a team built by the end of the summer.

Spring Seminar Update: Mr. Bible and Ms. Robbins have been working with Ms. Englisby to prepare the seminar “Guidelines for Aging Well,” which will be held May 16 from 7-8:30 pm in Program Room #2 at the library. SCTV will record it.

Loan Locker Update: Mr. LaMontagne noted that liability has become an issue, and Anthology is reconsidering whether they will provide the space.  Rotary has provided $500 for start-up costs. The town will provide insurance re liability.  Mr. LaMontagne and Mr. Needham will present the project to the Board of Selectmen on April 22 and are still hoping to open the locker by July 1.  The town will provide a dedicated phone line at town hall for the Loan Locker.

Commissioner Survey Results: Mr. LaMontagne still needs responses from two commissioners.

NEW BUSINESS

Selectman Correspondence: Mr. LaMontagne shared a memo he sent to the Board of Selectmen on March 27 to update them on current commission programs and initiatives.

News Article: An article was shared by Ms. Knall on how trails are being used by people with disabilities.  Ms. Cook shared that the library has received $5000 to create stations with changeable boards to be placed around town that tell a story and she suggested that they consider height of placement (for wheelchairs) as well as usage of braille on the boards.

Facebook Page: Ms. Yeisley will be following the Social Media policy guidelines recently adopted by the town and provide a Facebook page by the next meeting.

Other: Mr. LaMontagne noted that at the May Board of Selectmen meeting, it will be requested that June be designated as Handicapped Parking Awareness Month.

Other:  Mr. Bible asked about whether the new Visitor Center will be made ADA-accessible. Mr. LaMontagne said that they are considering how best to do so. Ms. Cook mentioned that this has been an ongoing concern.

Other: Ms. Knall noted that the May 22 Board of Selectmen meeting will also feature the proclamation for Autism Awareness month.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business a request to adjourn the meeting was made. The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 pm.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 7:00 p.m., at McLean’s Hartford Room at The Village.

Submitted by,

Jan Beatty

Secretary