Aging & Disability Commission - Minutes

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION

JUNE 12, 2018

SUBJECT TO APPROVAL

A special meeting of the Aging and Disability Commission was held on June 12, 2018, in the Blue Room – Eno Memorial Hall – 754 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT.

PRESENT

Jan Beatty, Victor Bible, Sandee Fleet, Mike Jennings, Marvin Koff, Edward LaMontagne, Cheryl Lauben, Mary Ellen Long, Mark Orenstein, Kate Robbins, Diana Yeisley, Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator), and Cheryl Cook (Board of Selectman Liaison)

EXCUSED

Lorraine Doonan, Joy Himmelfarb, Susan Krinsky, Arlene Zappile, and Susan Ray (Library)

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Edward J. LaMontagne, Chairman, at 7:06 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge was recited.

GUESTS

Gordon McKennerney, Simsbury, came to observe

Jean Miles, Weatogue, came to observe Kristen Formanek, Director of Social Services Maria Capriola, Town Manager

PUBLIC AUDIENCE

None

TOWN MANAGER/DIRECTOR SOCIAL SERVICES

Maria Capriola gave an overview of current Social Services projects and a presentation in response to the Commission’s request for the town’s authorization to pursue the AARP Age-Friendly Community designation for the town. Ms. Capriola noted that staff capacity suggests this is not the right time to pursue the initiative, adding that a new social worker position will be added in the summer/fall 2018. She suggested that, in approximately 6 months, the town would be in a better position to consider an accreditation initiative, and she proposed that the town pursue a national Senior Center accreditation, which would help attract grant funding for the long-term goal of achieving a new or renovated Senior Center. 

Kristen Formanek further noted that this accreditation could be accomplished in 8-10 months as opposed to the anticipated 5-year-long AARP process. Ms. Formanek also explained the numerous ongoing initiatives in the Social Services Department, including her pursuit of licensure, training of a staff member to be a CHOICES counselor, selection and training for new trustees for their Trusts, updating Juvenile Review Board purpose and truancy requirements, and updates to the outreach program for seniors to ensure compliance with HIPPA.

Mr. LaMontagne summarized the Commission’s 10-plus year history of trying to achieve a new Senior Center and suggested that accomplishing that goal through a national Senior Center accreditation was unlikely.  He also indicated that transportation availability and walkability, two of the liveability indexes in the AARP Age-Friendly Community designation, were major issues brought before the Commission. He further noted that the Commission had intended the designation process to be driven by the Commission without drawing on town staff resources.

Ms. Capriola noted in response that the town was starting to look at transportation options. 

Ms. Cook asked what would happen if the Senior Center was not accredited because of some deficiencies (such as the building not being ADA-accessible).  Ms. Formanek responded that accreditation is based more on policies than on the condition of the building.

Mr. LaMontagne asked what Ms. Capriola saw as the Commission’s role in the accreditation process.  Ms. Capriola said the town would take the lead role with the Commission’s help.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 17, 2018

The minutes were approved without correction.

BOS LIAISON REPORT

Selectwoman Cook ceded her time to the above noted presentation by Ms. Capriola and Ms. Formanek.

SENIOR CENTER REPORT

Senior Center Director Ms. Marschall noted that the Summer Reading program kicks off at the library Monday, June 18, 4-7 pm. She also noted that the art trail has generated a lot of interest.  The Senior Center will sponsor two bus tours on July 2 and July 30 so that anyone with a Dial-a-Ride pass can get out to see the art trail.  She reported that 53 seniors attended the Simsbury High School art show. She thanked the Freemason Hall for providing the space for lunches.  She also noted that renovations in Eno have been delayed and will start on July 1.

PROGRAM REPORTS

Souper Tuesday:

May 8th Souper Tuesday had only 28 seniors in attendance. Tariffville students were there.

Future of Souper Tuesday: Funding for Tuesday lunches passed in the town budget, starting in October. Given that, and the difficulty in finding funding for the program, Mr. LaMontagne recommended discontinuing Souper Tuesday with the exception of one event in the fall (fashion show) and one in the spring (April-May) that includes some kind of event, perhaps including musical element.  Ms. Yeisley made a motion to disband Souper Tuesdays and in their place hold a spring and fall event.  Ms. Long seconded.  The motion was passed to discontinue Souper Tuesday and host a spring and fall event in its place.

Financials: The current balance in the account is $400.

     Ø   Picnic in the Park: The event will be held Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 11:30 at St. Catherine   

           of Siena. Ms. Yeisley noted all plans are set and she is investigating gluten-free buns. She  

           also made a new flyer for distribution. She will also mail to group homes several times.

OLD BUSINESS

Spring Seminar: Mr. Bible noted that the seminar held on Tuesday, April 24, 7- 8:30 p.m. at the Simsbury Library was very successful. Former Probate Judge Robert Killian was very effective in speaking and answering questions from the 20 attendees.

Age-Friendly Community Update: Mr. LaMontagne will look to see if there is any part of the AARP process that the Commission could begin to work toward, particularly as relates to transportation and walkability, without having the approval letter from the Town Manager.

Handicapped Parking Awareness Month: The Board of Selectmen approved June as Handicapped Parking Awareness Month.  Ms. Cook will forward the electronic notice to Police Department for posting.

Transportation Legislation:  Dr. Koff noted that the bill (No. 5245) distributed by Mr. LaMontagne for the Commission’s consideration may not have passed the Senate.  Including a Commission member on a task force to study best practices for providing transportation for disabled persons, senior citizens, and veterans will be tabled until the bill’s fate is known.

Other:  Mike Jennings advised the Commission about the Public Building Commission meetings that he has attended in the past several months.

NEW BUSINESS

Regionalization of Services: Mr. LaMontagne received a call from an East Granby resident who wants to put together a meeting with representatives of Aging Commissions from 6 towns (E. Granby, Granby Simsbury, Windsor, Windsor Locks, and Suffield) on a quarterly basis with the purpose of comparing programs and considering regional cooperation. Mr. LaMontagne will apprise the Commission of further plans as he learns them.

Autism Speaks-Prevalence Increase: Mr. LaMontagne shared an article about autism prevalence.

Other: Mr. LaMontagne put forward the idea that the Commission could hold their meetings in other venues, such as at McLean, Dorset Crossing, Powder Forest, West Street, etc., to be considered at the fall meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business a request to adjourn the meeting was made.  Ms. Long made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Robbins seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, September 18, 2018, 7:00 p.m., Program Room, Library

Submitted by,

Jan Beatty

Clerk