Aging & Disability Commission - Minutes

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, February 16, 2021

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION

Via Google Meet to Facebook Live

Regular Meeting February 16, 2021 – 7:00 pm

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION – REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

FEBRUARY 16, 2021

SUBJECT TO APPROVAL

A regular meeting of the Aging and Disability Commission was held at 7:00 pm on February 16, 2021 via Google Meet.

PRESENT

Robin Batchelder, Jan Beatty, Victor Bible, Joanne Cohen, Cheryl Cook, Anne Erickson, Mary (Terry) Henault, Mike Jennings, Shannon Knall, Erin Leavitt-Smith, Kate Robbins, Diana Yeisley, Susan Ray (Library), Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator), and Wendy Mackstutis (Board of Selectmen Liaison)

EXCUSED

Sandee Fleet

CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Yeisley, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:08 pm.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS

Chris Canna, Vice President Real Estate Development, CIL – Housing for IDD Community in CT and MA could not attend as planned and will be rescheduled for the March meeting.No public comments received.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting of January 20, 2021

Ms. Knall made a motion to accept the minutes and Ms. Erickson seconded; minutes were unanimously accepted with no corrections.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN (BOS) LIAISON REPORT

Ms. Mackstutis reported that a new vendor has been secured for the restaurant at Simsbury Farms; additional money has been appropriated to Farmington Valley Health to cover COVID-19 related expenses; SPIRIT has received supplemental appropriations for marketing, data collection, and analysis. She noted the town budget is currently under review. Also of note is the status report of the town’s Facilities Master Plan presented at the February 8 BOS special meeting.  The proposal suggests “a multi-generational community center” at the site of the Apple Barn, which would be demolished. Ms. Mackstutis provided a link to the report: https://www.simsbury-ct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif9751/f/minutes/2-8-21_bos_special_minutes_-_draft.pdf   She also noted that a grant had been submitted for CT to get Senior Center money to offset COVID expenses.

SENIOR CENTER REPORT

Ms. Marschall noted that the Senior Center’s primary focus currently is helping people schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments. Farmington Valley Health District has been very helpful; she reported that the volume of calls is such that it is taking about 2 weeks to get a returned phone call with appointment information. She notes that the AARP tax program being hosted by library has begun, though because of COVID they are limited to the number of returns that can be done and therefore are restricted to Simsbury residents.  All programs at the center remain virtual except for Grab N Go lunches on Wednesdays and cheese days, which had more than 120 attendees, including 66 seniors.  Gift cards for local grocery stores are still needed. Ms. Ray said she is collecting gift cards at the library and the Lions Club will be asking for them too at an upcoming food drive. Ms. Cook suggested that the need for gift cards be more widely publicized. Ms. Marschall said gift cards can be mailed to Social Services or dropped off in the locked box in front of Eno Memorial Hall.

OLD BUSINESS

  • Commission Members and Open Positions: Ms. Yeisley welcomed new members Joanne Cohen, Mary (Terry) Henault (alternate), and Robin Batchelder and noted that Mr. Bible is officially a regular member of the commission after being an alternate for many years. Ms. Krinsky has officially resigned from the commission. Several alternate positions are open.
  • COVID Vaccination Schedule and Distribution: Ms. Yeisley noted that she sent a letter to the state vaccine commission about eligibility for those with disabilities. Mr. Jennings asked if seniors in town were hesitant to take the vaccine.Ms. Marschall and Ms. Yeisley said that the majority of seniors in town are eager to get the vaccine.
  • Spring Seminar: Mr. Bible noted the date is April 14 ,6:30-8 pm, for the AARP presentation “Road to Livability” via the library’s Zoom account. Ms. Beatty will contact Ms. Michalowski at AARP for more info that can be relayed to library for promotional material.
  • Age Friendly Community Update: Ms. Yeisley noted that our certification expired on Sunday; after speaking with Bill Armbruster, manager of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, she reported that he has agreed to extend the certification. Ms. Yeisley will assess information on hand and consider how best to include commission members in next steps.
  • Disability Friendly Community Update: Ms. Yeisley noted that handicapped parking spaces are being better cleared this winter than last; she said that the commission should continue to be vigilant in looking out for uncleared spaces and report them.
  • COVID Survey and Outreach: Ms. Knall reported that some updates were made on postcard to include Simsbury Social Services, SCTV, Farmington Valley Health District, library book delivery program, and Loan Locker in addition to other emergency numbers. Ms. Cook said they prepared a magnet for Community to Care and asked if Social Services might have grant money for outreach to cover cost of making a magnet instead of a postcard. Ms. Yeisley said they might reach out for potential donations from service organizations; Mr. Jennings said he would ask the Lions Club. Ms. Knall and Ms. Robbins will research cost.Ms. Batchelder reported from web info that VistaPrint would charge about $600 for 1000 magnets.
  • Affordable Housing Update: Ms. Yeisley noted that the SPIRIT Council presentation was very well attended on February 4 (available on SCTV) and that there is much discussion on social media about this issue.Ms. Leavitt-Smith said the Planning Commission finalized its report and in it suggested that the BOS create a Task Force on Affordable Housing. Ms. Knall said there is a public hearing for Senate Bill 804 on February 18: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB00804&which_year+2021 Ms. Batchelder would like to see more integration in housing between those with disabilities and those without. Ms. Leavitt-Smith noted that as new developments come along, those questions are being asked; she noted that legislation needs to be revised.
  • New Email and Facebook Page: Ms. Yeisley noted the commission’s new email address: simsburysocialservices2@gmail.com.  She also noted we are waiting for official town approval for the Facebook page, which will have administrator(s). Ms. Mackstutis suggested adding a disclaimer about social media posting; Ms. Cook suggests referencing official town social media policy.

NEW BUSINESS

  • Spring Fling Event: Ms. Yeisley suggested end-of-April Saturday date for arts-and-crafts/gardening event planned as 1-1/2 hour Zoom event with someone providing instruction; materials to be picked up earlier (or delivered). Ms. Knall will ask St. Mary’s if they might like to be involved. Ms. Beatty moved that we move forward with April 24 Saturday interactive event for Spring Fling; Ms. Cook seconded.The motion carried unopposed.
  • Loan Locker Update and Report: Ms. Yeisley noted that a Loan Locker report was submitted to the town by Alan Needham; there have been 118 appointments to either provide or borrow equipment. Loan Locker is in need of wheelchairs and corresponding footrests. Ms. Yeisley commended all those involved at the Loan Locker.
  • Other:
  • Ms. Yeisley said an invitation came from the East Granby Aging Commission to have a meeting together with the Aging Commissions of Granby and Suffield to discuss possibilities of sharing resources and shared issues on Tuesday, March 9, at 6:30.Ms. Cook suggested that Ms. Yeisley convey that inviting other less similar towns would be useful.
  • Ms. Yeisley asked the commissioners if the 2016 commission brochure should be updated. Ms. Cook suggested that a subcommittee be formed and that policies and procedures need to be created for the commission as well.
  • Ms. Robbins asked if John Hampton could attend a meeting for a legislative update.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, a request to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Bible and seconded by Ms. Knall. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.

Next meeting:  March 16, 2021 at 7 pm via Google Meet.

Submitted by,

Jan Beatty

Secretary