Aging and Disability Commission - Minutes

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION

FEBRUARY 20, 2018

SUBJECT TO APPROVAL

The regular meeting of the Aging and Disability Commission was held on February 20, 2018, in the Youth Room – Eno Memorial Hall – 754 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT.

PRESENT

Victor Bible, Lorraine Doonan, Sandee Fleet, Mike Jennings, Joy Himmelfarb, Marvin Koff, Edward LaMontagne, Cheryl Lauben, Mary Ellen Long, Mark Orenstein, Kate Robbins, April Schmidt, Arlene Zappile, Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator), Susan Ray (Library), and Cheryl Cook (Board of Selectman Liaison)

EXCUSED

Jan Beatty, Susan Krinsky and Diana Yeisley

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Edward J. LaMontagne, Chairman, at 7:02 p.m.

Mr. LaMontagne appointed Vic Bible and Arlene Zappile to be regular members for this meeting.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge was recited.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE

Paula Ryan, a resident from Simsbury, discussed her high functioning 28-year-old son who is on the autism spectrum. She spoke about the unemployment and underemployment challenges of this group. Ms. Ryan would like to work with the commission to see if we could create a Simsbury initiative for bringing these young adults into the Simsbury workplace.

GUESTS

Joel Hershfield, Simsbury Resident

Alan Needham, Simsbury Resident

Tia Murphy, CT AARP

PRESENTATION

Tia Murphy, a volunteer with the CT AARP, provided a presentation of the AARP Age-Friendly Community and how the commission could participate in the program.  Simsbury is one of four CT towns considering this process (Greenwich, Darien and Glastonbury). The first step is to ask the Board of Selectmen to support having the commission proceed with this project; Mr. LaMontagne will write the letter asking for that support. The next step would be to complete an application, which would be sent to the national AARP. There is no cost for application. Simsbury was evaluated by AARP on 7 categories they consider in looking at livability and given the number of 58, putting us in the middle third of communities across the country. To complete all seven areas of the project would take 2-5 years. The commission will look at those areas in which the town falls short and concentrate on those.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING OF January 16, 2018

The minutes were approved without corrections.

BOS LIAISON REPORT

Selectwomen Cheryl Cook stated that the selectmen will have their first meeting with the new Town Manager in March. She also mentioned the town’s appeal to the solar farm decision, the proposed water ordinance, the potential increase in the town’s grand list due to the recent reevaluation and the start of FY 18-19 budget sessions.

SENIOR CENTER REPORT

Senior Center Director Kathy Marschall thanked students from Simsbury High School for donating tickets for seniors to attend Mary Poppins. 150 seniors attended the performance. A “tail gate” party was held at the Simsbury Library for a recent women’s basketball game. This Thursday, a party will be held for a member of the Senior Center who will be turning 100 years of age. The Annual St. Patrick’s Day party will be held on March 15th.

LIBRARY REPORT

Susan Ray, Head of Adult Services, stated the library will be offering another safe driving course. AARP will be available to provide tax assistance to seniors and they will be hosting three “suppers” while the senior center is being renovated.

PROGRAM REPORTS

Souper Tuesday:

The next program will be held on March 13th. The Tariffville students will be at the May Souper Tuesday. The June Souper Tuesday has been cancelled due to construction at Eno Memorial Hall.

Fashion Show: The fashion show has been moved to the fall (October). The FAVRAH Thrift Shop will assist the commission in hosting the event.

Financials: The Simsbury Granby Rotary Club has donated $500.00 bringing the balance in the account to $1,078.40. The Social Workers Contingency Fund account balance is $286.58. 

OLD BUSINESS

Spring Seminar: Mr. Bible noted that the seminar will be held on Tuesday, April 24th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Program Room at the Simsbury Library. The title of the presentation will be, “Parent Guardian or Conservator – Who does What for Individuals with Disabilities”.   Former Probate Judge Robert Killian will be the presenter. Mr. Bible and his committee are currently working on a flyer as well as public relations.

Eno Memorial Hall Renovations: Mike Jennings, who is the commission’s liaison to the Public Building Committee, gave a report on the status of the Eno Memorial Hall renovations.

The project is currently in the design phase and it is anticipated that construction activities will be initiated in June of 2018. The construction phase of the project is anticipated to take 3 to 4 months to complete. During the construction phase, the lower level of Eno Memorial Hall will be closed to the public. The first and second floors will remain open and available to the public with access through the first floor entrances to the building.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan: Mr. LaMontagne stated that he attended the last meeting of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan committee. He represented the pedestrian point-of-view and brought up accessibility issues including making the center of town more walkable. The final report should be available this spring.

NEW BUSINESS

Assistive Listening: Mark Orenstein provided information regarding the installation of an assistive listening system, which uses smartphones, tablets and iPads as receivers, be installed in Eno Auditorium as part of the renovation. He also discussed using the same technology for the new program room at the library and the Henry James auditorium, both of which will be undergoing renovations.

Mr. Koff made a motion that the commission sends a letter to the Public Building Committee recommending the installation of an assistive listening system in the auditorium of Eno Memorial Hall. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bible. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Ms. Zappile made a motion for the commission to send a letter to the Public Building Committee recommending that an assistive listening system be installed in the new program room at the library and in the auditorium at Henry James Middle School. Mr. Koff seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Mr. LaMontagne will send the appropriate letters out to the Public Building Committee.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business a request to adjourn the meeting was made.

Ms. Long made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Zappile seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at     9:00 p.m.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, March 20, 2018, 7:00 p.m., Youth Room, ENO Memorial Hall

Submitted by,

Edward J. LaMontagne

Chairman