Aging & Disability Commission - Minutes
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
Via Zoom to Facebook Live
Regular Meeting April 19, 2022 – 7:00 pm
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION – REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 19, 2022
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
PRESENT
Robin Batchelder, Jan Beatty, Vic Bible,Joanne Cohen, Cheryl Cook, Anne EricksonSandee Fleet Deb Glass, Terry Henault, Mike Jennings, Shannon Leary Knall, Kate Robbins, Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator), and Amber Abbuhl (BOS liaison)
EXCUSED
Diana Yeisley, Erin Leavitt-Smith, Susan Ray (library)
CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Leary, Vice-Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mark Orenstein on Assistive Listening Devices in Town Buildings
Mr. Orenstein noted that ADA requires that any public room with amplification must provide assistive listening; a room with a capacity of 100 must have 4 listening devices (receivers), 2 of which must work with hearing aids. Equipment must be owned by the town. Town hall main meeting room does not have amplification, but a previous selectman requested that it be provided with assistive listening support. In 2019, same equipment installed in library that was in town hall (installed both older system and newer technology at library). One major difference between the two library rooms with assistive listening support and Eno is that performances are done in Eno, so a town policy needs to be made about how assistive listening equipment will be used there. Mr. Orenstein came to the Commission to note that both a policy is needed and that widespread communication about the devices needs to be undertaken. He noted that signage is needed in Eno. Ms. Leary suggested that a group be created to consider how best to collaborate with other town groups to foster awareness of and create signage for available assistive listening in town buildings.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting of March 15, 2022
Mr. Bible moved to accept the minutes and Ms. Cook seconded to approve the meeting minutes. Minutes were accepted with no changes.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN (BOS) LIAISON REPORT
Ms. Abbuhl reported that there was a public hearing held on budget several weeks ago and the budget will now go to referendum May 3 and includes a number of items using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. A group is still meeting to consider how best to use additional American Rescue Plan funds, as more funding will be coming in June. Ms. Abbuhl noted that the Zoning Board is considering ADU regulations, which will come before BOS in the next few months. April 23 is the town-wide clean-up day from 9-12 and individuals can sign up; the sensory-friendly clean-up signup will be through Social Services and will be held at the Tariffville Green.
SENIOR CENTER REPORT
Ms. Marschall noted that the Senior Center newsletter can be accessed on the town web page, via email, or by mail. On May 1 at 2 pm, a former White House butler will discuss entertainment there; it is co-sponsored with the library (register through either the library or the Senior Center) and Dial-a-Ride transportation will be provided. On May 2 at 11 am, the Intonations will hold a concert at Eno along with students from the University of Hartford. The ribbon cutting and Grand Opening for the Food Pantry at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church will be held May 16 at 5:30-7. The Simsbury Fire Department is hosting its annual pancake breakfast at the main firehouse May 26 from 9:30-11 am. Ms. Marschall wanted to thank all the volunteers who provided tax assistance; 175 tax returns were prepared this year.
PROGRAMS
- Fashion Show – Fall 2022: Ms. Batchelder noted there are a few tentative dates in October; more information to come.
- Souper Tuesday – Funding: Ms. Abbuhl noted that one group had agreed to provide funding, which is in process.
- Sensory Spring Fling: Ms. Marschall noted the new event, a Sensory-Friendly Community-Wide Earth Day Cleanup, will be held April 23 from 10-12. Participants will gather at the Tariffville Green. Gift bags will be provided to families.
- Picnic in July: Ms. Leary noted that it will be held July 16 from 6-8 pm at the skating rink at Simsbury Farms as it was last year, catered by Fitzgerald’s.
OLD BUSINESS
- Age Friendly Community Update: Ms. Beatty reported that 6 of 9 community partners contacted have responded; Ms. Yeisley will contact the remaining three. The group working on drafting a survey for distribution this summer completed their work and the April 14th draft was sent to the entire Commission for review. Next steps: developing plans for circulating survey this summer and arranging for analysis of data. Ms. Beatty also spoke about AARP Livability Index webinar she attended.
- Affordable Housing Update: Ms. Cook noted that a stakeholder meeting was held. She sent a letter to the Commission requesting an opportunity for the DEI Council to provide a presentation. Their first educational program will be May 12 in the Tariffville Room at the library; included in the discussion of inclusive housing will be the new town planner, a developer working on “attainable” housing in the area, and someone who will define terms used relating to housing. Registration is through the library.
- Disability Employment Resource List: Ms. Cook has created a list that can be put on the Commission’s website.
- AARP Presentation: Mr. Bible contacted AARP and set the date of May 12, 6:30 to 7:30, for an AARP-sponsored virtual program on fraud. Ms. Marschall will do an email blast through the Senior Center. Mr. Bible will contact SCTV about the program.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Leary thanked those who came out to acknowledge the town’s proclamation of April as Autism Awareness Month. Both Ms. Abbuhl and Ms. Robbins noted what a good presentation Jack Knall provided.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a request to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Bible and seconded by Ms. Batchelder. The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 pm.
Next meeting: May 17, 2022 at 7 pm via Zoom.
Submitted by,
Jan Beatty
Secretary