Minutes - Community For Care Committee

Community for Care

 Meeting Minutes

January 9, 2019

Call to Order at 5:45pm.

Cheryl Cook, Selectwoman and Chair of the Community for Care Committee called the meeting to order at 5:45pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2019.  The meeting was held in the Program Room of the Simsbury Public Library.  In attendance were  Sue Homrok-Lempke, Assistant Superintendent; Karen Gallagher; Sarah Gwinn,  Sara Ray, Teen Librarian, Simsbury Public Library; Richard Holden; Kristen Formanek, Director of Community and Social Services; Tom Steen; Lt. Fred Sifodaskalakis, Becky Rosenthal;  Pastor Gene Ott of Simsbury United Methodist Church, Andrew O’Brien, Principal Simsbury High School; Sally Reiger; Ana Sennott; and Selectman Chris Kelly.

The following guests were present: Maria Capriola, Town Manager and Melissa Appleby, Deputy Town Manager.

Public Audience: There was no public audience

New Business:

Introduction of the guests were made.

Cheryl spoke briefly about the need for a Vice-Chair to assist with running the committee.

Maria Capriola and Melissa Appleby discussed the possible involvement of the Community for Care in an initiative tentatively called a “Day of Caring”. This concept came from a meeting of the First Selectman, the Town Manager and Deputy Town Manager, Cheryl Cook and Rev. Ott.  The idea centers on a lack of sense of community feeling and the need to have a community conversation about that – to work as a catalyst to bring people together following the synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh. Cheryl shared this committee is a natural connection and discussion followed with members about ways the committee could help facilitate events and programs.  A sub-committee was formed to further formulate ideas and a plan of action.  The Sub-Committee will include Richard Holden, Karen Gallagher, Sue Homrok-Lempke, Rev. Gene Ott, Kristen Formanek, and Andrew O’Brien.

The committee discussed upcoming programs for March, May and September.

Chris Kelly provided an update on the website and will continue to check the information and links online.

Adjournment: Ms. Cook made a motion to Adjourn at 6:23pm.  Ms. Rosenthal seconded the motion. All were in favor.

The Committee adjourned to the “Do you know what your kids are inhaling?” program.

Next meeting: March 13, 2019

Respectfully Submitted,

Cheryl Cook, Chairperson