Aging & Disability Commission - Minutes
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
Via Zoom and recorded
Regular Meeting November 15, 2022 – 7:00 pm
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION--REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
November 15, 2022
Approved
PRESENT
Jan Beatty, Vic Bible, Joanne Cohen, Sandee Fleet, Deb Glass, Terry Henault, Mike Jennings, Shannon Leary, Kate Robbins, Diana Yeisley, and Susan Ray (library liaison), Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator)
EXCUSED
Amber Abbuhl (BOS liaison), Robin Batchelder, Cheryl Cook, Anne Erickson, and Jen Seiderer
CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Yeisley, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS
None received.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting of October 18, 2022
Ms. Robbins moved to accept the minutes without correction; Ms. Fleet seconded and the motion passed. Ms. Leary abstained.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN (BOS) LIAISON REPORT
Ms. Abbuhl was absent but shared a report with Ms. Yeisley with three items: 1) The town received a $5,000 AARP Livable Communities Support Program Grant for our "Simsbury Stories Cafe" collaboration between the Simsbury Senior Center and the Library in 2023. This grant will be used to purchase recording equipment so that residents can create and capture oral histories of Simsbury residents. 2) BOS voted unanimously to opt out of state statutes on Accessory Dwelling Units, allowing the town to retain control regarding the zoning of ADUs. The zoning board has amended its regulations regarding ADUs to make them less restrictive. This included removing the requirements for shared utilities and a shared wall (essentially only permitting attached ADU's); permitted size of ADU is greater than state statute allowed, too. Further, either the primary residence or the ADU must be occupied by the primary property owner. 3) There will be a public hearing on Monday, December 12, at 6 pm to consider proposed revisions to the Town Code that would allow the reasonable use of non-motorized bicycles and scooters on town sidewalks. Comments regarding this proposed change can be submitted online or to any member of the BOS.
SENIOR CENTER REPORT
Ms. Marschall noted that the annual Thanksgiving Luncheon for local seniors will be held at St. Mary’s Parish Hall November 16, and she thanked St. Mary’s for hosting and being a great partner.She also noted that the annual Holiday Party and Concert will be Thursday, December 8 at 11 am at Eno.On November 28, a program on purchasing hearing aids over-the-counter will be held at 11 am at Eno.Each year, the Senior Center partners with AARP to offer tax preparation help; if you’d like to volunteer to provide assistance, please call the Senior Center. Finally, she noted that a free Tai Ji Quan class will be offered courtesy of a grant; the class runs twice weekly from January 10-June 22, 2023.
PROGRAMS
Fashion Show – Fall 2022: Ms. Yeisley noted it was a big success with models from the Police Department. Ms. Marschall thanked the commissioners who helped.
Souper Thursday: Ms. Yeisley noted that more funding will be needed to have two Thursdays in the spring.
Sensory Friendly Halloween Event: Ms. Yeisley noted trunk or treat at Eno auditorium on Monday, October 24, was a good success.
Sensory Friendly Santa Event: Ms. Yeisley noted that Santa will be back, Monday, December 12, 5-7 pm, and a light supper will be served. Sign-up sheet will be sent out soon.
OLD BUSINESS
Age Friendly Community Update and Survey: Ms. Beatty reported that preliminary analysis is currently underway with assistance from those who helped with the library’s data analysis. The survey was kept open to encourage responses from a demographic less represented in the initial run – those 50-60 years old. A working group meeting to incorporate new responses and begin analyzing total data will be scheduled soon.
Affordable Housing Update—Zoning Commission decision on ADUs: See BOS liaison report.
Disability Employment Resource List: No report.
Spring Presentation/Seminar: Ms. Yeisley suggested a subcommittee in response to Mr. Bible’s request for more ideas. Ms. Leary, Ms. fleet, and Ms. Seiderer have volunteered.
Accessibility Project at PAC update: No report.
NEW BUSINESS
A&D Calendar of meetings for 2023: Mr. Bible made a motion to accept the calendar as proposed; Ms. Fleet seconded and the motion passed.
Other: An AARP webinar will be held on December 6 at noon with Richard Duncan, a national expert on accessible design. Ms. Yeisley will send info to all commissioners.
Other: The CT Age Well Collaborative Resource Guide Fostering Aging, Dementia and Disability Inclusivity will be sent to those participating in the webinar November 30 at 1pm. Ms. Yeisley will send info to all commissioners.
Other: Ms. Leary noted that the Planning Commission issued a survey available on the Simsbury Town website about the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD)and is looking for public response.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Leary moved to adjourn the meeting and Ms. Robbins seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:04.
Next meeting: January 17, 2023 at 7 pm via Zoom.
Submitted by,
Jan Beatty
Secretary