Aging and Disability Commission Meeting - Minutes

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION –SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

NOVEMBER 27, 2018

SUBJECT TO APPROVAL

The special meeting of the Aging and Disability Commission was held on November 27, 2018, 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, Marvin Koff, Edward LaMontagne, Mary Ellen Long, Mark Orenstein, Kate Robbins, Diana Yeisley, Arlene Zappile, Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator), Susan Ray (Library), and Cheryl Cook (Board of Selectman Liaison)

EXCUSED

Lorraine Doonan, Susan Krinsky, and Cheryl Lauben

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

None.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES - Regular Meeting of October 16, 2018

The minutes were approved without correction.

BOS LIAISON REPORT

Selectwoman Cook noted that she came from the first meeting of the newly formed Economic Development Commission. She reported that capital and capital nonrecurring spending policies will be addressed in the upcoming Tri-Board (BOS, BOF, BOE) meeting on December 3. At the last BOS meeting, goals and priorities were discussed, one of which was to explore housing options for those who wish to stay in town but can’t afford to and a second was to explore transportation options through Social Services. At the BOS meeting November 26, general policy goals were adopted.

SENIOR CENTER REPORT

Senior Center Director Ms. Marschall noted that the new Community Social Worker started November 5, Kristyn Kalman. Ms. Kalman has a Master’s Degree in social work from Boston University and worked most recently as a school psychotherapist. Ms. Marschall reported that interviews regarding the 350th anniversary of the town will start on December 3. She also noted that 200 students were available for the Thanksgiving lunch, and that there has been good response to the new café menu. At the library on December 4 there will be a documentary “Almost Sunrise “shown at 6 pm.  The annual holiday movie, accompanied by homemade cookies, will be December 14 at 12:30; the movie “A Christmas Carol” begins at 1 pm at the library.  Also noted was the receipt of a donation of $400 from the Lion’s Club, and the account’s balance of $494.40 will be used for the spring event.

OLD BUSINESS

Age Friendly Community Update: Mr. LaMontagne said the application is still underway, with data required more extensive than originally thought.  The application will be done by the end of the year and sent to the Social Services Department before it is submitted to AARP.

Spring Seminar: Mr. Bible noted that two speakers are being considered: one from the Center for Healthy Aging at UConn, and one from Disability Planning Partners. The seminar committee will meet in December to finalize plans, and the event will be held at the library at 7:30 pm on April 23, May 14, or May 16.

Medical Equipment Loan Closet: Mr. LaMontagne met with Alan Needham and came up with the name “Care Closet.” They hope to have a meeting in December with First Selectman Eric Wellman and Town Manager Maria Capriola. Mr. LaMontagne plans to suggest it be a town-owned facility.  The Lion’s Club and Rotary Club will be approached for start-up costs.  Ms. Capriola plans to talk with a similar organization in Granby to gather more information.

Sensory Friendly Santa: The event will be held December 7th from 4-6 pm in Eno Memorial Hall.  A photographer will be available and pictures can be emailed to participants. Santa will be in the Blue Room, activities will be held in the auditorium, and the character Elsa from Frozen will also be in attendance.

NEW BUSINESS

Voting Issues: Mr. LaMontagne was told that voting for disabled at his polling place was far away from the entrance.  Ms. Long noted that the placement was limited by where the plugs for the machines were located. She also noted that she did not know of anyone who used those machines. Ms. Yeisley noted that curbside voting at her polling place was efficient. Ms. Zappile noted that her polling place is very dark for vision-impaired people.

Approve 2019 Meeting Dates: Dr. Koff made a motion that the meeting dates be approved; Ms. Long seconded.  All were in favor; the motion carried and the dates were approved.

2019 Meeting Location: Mr. LaMontagne noted that McLean’s Hartford Room is available as is the Youth Room in Eno Memorial Hall.  Ms. Cook noted that there was no requirement that town commissions meet on town property. Ms. Yeisley made a motion that all 2019 meetings be held at McLean’s Hartford Room at The Village.  Ms. Erickson seconded.  All were in favor, and the location was approved.

Commissioner Survey: Mr. LaMontagne will be sending out a survey in the next week for the commissioners’ input about the direction the commission should take in 2019.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business a request to adjourn the meeting was made.  Ms. Yeisley made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Long seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:58 pm.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, January 15, 2019, 7:00 p.m., McLean’s Hartford Room at The Village

Submitted by,

Jan Beatty, Clerk