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Aging & Disability Commission - Minutes

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, April 20, 2021

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION

Via Google Meet to Facebook Live

Regular Meeting April 20, 2021 – 7:00 pm

AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION – REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

APRIL 20, 2021

A regular meeting of the Aging and Disability Commission was held at 7:00 pm on April 20, 2021 via Google Meet.

PRESENT

Robin Batchelder, Jan Beatty, Joanne Cohen, Cheryl Cook, Anne Erickson, Sandee Fleet, 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

Victor Bible

CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Yeisley, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS

No public comments received.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting of March 16, 2021

Ms. Cook moved to accept the minutes and Ms. Knall seconded to approve the minute meetings. Ms. Leavitt-Smith abstained as she was not at the meeting.  Minutes were unanimously accepted with the one abstention.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN (BOS) LIAISON REPORT

Ms. Mackstutis wanted to thank Jack Knall and Robin Batchelder, who made a presentation to the Board of Selectmen on March 22 about autism awareness. The BOS read a proclamation in support of April 2021 as World Autism Month and April 2, 2021 World Autism Awareness Day.  She reported that Aquarion announced that water conservation measures were expected to begin April 1. She also noted that Gov. Lamont came to Simsbury to announce the signing of a bill to extend outdoor dining.  She further noted that the Board of Finance did not approve Meadowood for the budget referendum but that a citizen petition effort secured enough signatures to require it to be put to referendum.  On Saturday, April 24, there will be a town meeting to provide information about the Meadowood property.

SENIOR CENTER REPORT

Ms. Marschall noted that the Senior Center is still doing virtual programming, weekly Grab n Go meals, and monthly cheese days.  As of June 1, the center will resume wellness clinics by appointment at Eno Memorial Hall and will do blood pressure checks outside.  She noted that this year the AARP tax aid program was held at the library. Ms. Ray noted that the library has expanded their hours.

OLD BUSINESS

  • COVID Vaccination Schedule and Distribution: Ms. Marschall noted that anyone who is homebound should contact the Senior Center for help in getting a vaccine.
  • Spring Seminar: On April 14, the commission sponsored the AARP presentation “Road to Livability” via the library’s Zoom account.A team from AARP spoke to about 12 attendees and provided resources for aging in place. Ms. Robbins suggested that the library or Senior Center should host the program again since it was not recorded. Ms. Beatty forwarded the AARP digital resources to the committee.
  • Age Friendly Community Update: Ms. Yeisley noted that she attended a monthly webinar of the AARP Age Friendly Community and noted that we are part of the forum. She notes next step in the process is to craft the outreach survey, which she suggested as a good summer project. The grant proposal from AARP is taken off the table for now.
  • Service Outreach: Ms. Knall said there was no funding to create magnets listing town services.Ms. Marschall said the listing could be included in print form in the newsletter mailed to 1300 and perhaps be available on the food truck. Ms. Batchelder volunteered to help Ms. Marschall.
  • Affordable Housing Update: Ms. Knall noted that local groups such as SINCO are looking to develop a task force re changing zoning laws for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) as well as affordable housing for all.Ms. Cook asked if members of the board might be interested in writing letters to request that zoning laws be changed. Ms. Knall noted that she has a template that could be used as a base. Ms. Mackstutis said she has asked for the updated affordable housing plan from the Planning Commission.
  • Facebook Page Update: Ms. Yeisley noted she will submit the form to get this on the BOS agenda for approval.
  • Spring Fling Event: Ms. Yeisley reported that 9-10 people have registered for the gardening event to be held April 24, 10:00 AM through the library’s Zoom account. Materials will be picked up at the library.
  • Policies and Procedures: Ms. Yeisley notes that she and Ms. Marschall have been working on a draft.

NEW BUSINESS

  • Multi-Town Commission on Aging representative: Ms. Yeisley announced that Terry Henault has agreed to be our representative. The next meeting will be in May.
  • Picnic in July: Ms. Yeisley will investigate available dates at St. Catherine’s and which vendors are available; she is looking tentatively at July 17 or July 24.

OTHER

  • Ms. Cook noted a program being offered on May 12, Self-Care after COVID, through the Community for Care.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, a request to adjourn the meeting was made by Ms. Knall and seconded by Ms.Cook. The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 pm.

Next meeting:  May 18, 2021 at 7 pm via Google Meet.

Submitted by,

Jan Beatty

Secretary