TOWN OF SIMSBURY
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
January 20, 2009
Meeting Minutes
Chairperson, Edward LaMontagne called the meeting to order in the Program Room at Simsbury Public Library, Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06070 at 7:02 p.m.
Present: Kathy Fallon, Mona Herman, Mike Jennings, Marvin Koff, Ed LaMontagne, Mary Ellen Long, Mona Martinik, Ann Walters Thompson, Lynn Veith, Arlene Zappile, Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator), Rich Hogan (BOS Liaison)
Excused: Grace Comeau, Carrie Kramer, Mark Orienstein, Tom Doran
Absent: Charolette Steptoe
Public Audience: None
Minutes, Previous Meeting: The meeting minutes from November 18, 2008 were reviewed and accepted with no revisions
PROGRAM COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Souper Tuesday - Grace Comeau
In Ms. Comeau’s absence, Mr. LaMontagne reported that the Souper Tuesday for February 17th is all set. Mr. LaMontagne shared an updated financial reconciliation of Souper Tuesday. Ms. Marschall distributed a Souper Tuesday Luncheon Participation list from October 2005 through November 2008.
Citizen Service Award - Lynn Veith
Ms. Veith reported that the nomination forms will be distributed in March for an award presentation in May. Mr. Hogan will assist in getting the nomination form to the Board of Education list serve. Ms. Veith will coordinate scheduling the award presentation at a May BOS meeting.
SUB COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Accessibility - Ann Walters Thompson
Ms. Walters reported that she attended the Parks and Recreation meeting regarding accessibility. She did bring up issues of accessibility at Simsbury Farms. Mr. LaMontagne will invite Mr. Toner, Director of Simsbury Parks and Recreation, to the next commission meeting.
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
January 20, 2009
Page Two
Disability Needs Assessment - Mike Jennings
Mr. LaMontagne shared the proposal from Chris Casey Concepts to distribute and tabulate the survey. Commission members reviewed the proposal. Mr. Jennings will convene a sub committee meeting to discuss the cost of the proposal and make a recommendation to the commission.
Housing - Ed LaMontagne
Mr. LaMontagne shared an update of a December meeting of the sub committee. The members will develop a matrix of properties that currently exist in town, including location, type, number of units, requirements of admission, income limits and number of rooms. Mr. LaMontagne shared the Incentive Housing Zone presentation from last week’s BOS meeting.
Public Relations - Carrie Kramer
In Ms. Cramer’s absence, Mr. LaMontagne reported that sub committee members will be coordinating a meeting with Ms. Folk, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, to make a presentation to Chamber members on Aging and Disability issues.
Senior/Community Center Assessment - Mona Martinik
Ms. Martinik will continue to work with sub committee members on future planning for a new senior center.
Senior Tax Relief - Ed LaMontagne
The sub committee members will focus on educating residents regarding existing tax relief programs.
SENIOR CENTER REPORT - Kathleen Marschall, Senior Center Coordinator
A new lunch program at Eno began last week and was very successful. There were 34 attendees. Attendees were pleased with the food. There were numerous attendees who do not normally attend Souper Tuesday programs. Ms. Marschall highlighted several programs including the Coast Guard Jazz Band and Tax preparation programs starting in February.
OLD BUSINESS
Community Forum 3/5/09
The forum is scheduled for March 5 in the Program Room at the library. Mr. LaMontagne will coordinate a Power Point presentation on the Commission. Attendees will be encouraged to voice their concerns.
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
January 20, 2009
Page Three
ITN Transportation Network
Mr. LaMontagne shared information on this program. There are currently two ITN’s in the state of Connecticut, one in North Central and the other in Middlesex.
There is a lot of work to establishing an ITN, but it does provide another option for senior transportation.
Budget Update
Mr. LaMontagne distributed the current budget reconciliation. He has submitted a budget request for $1500.00 for next year.
Other Business
None
NEW BUSINESS
Nominating Committee Report
The nominating committee put forth the following recommendations: Ed LaMontagne, Chairman; Charlotte Steptoe, Vice Chairman; Lynn Veith, Clerk. There were no nominations from the floor. The nominations were approved by Mona Martinik and were seconded by Marvin Koff. A vote was taken with 2 absentia, all in favor, no negative.
Money Follows The Person
Mr. LaMontagne shared information on the Money Follow the Person program.
Announcements
Mr. LaMontagne distributed an updated public relations sub-committee program agenda.
Mr. LaMontagne shared an article on the Senior Center in Enfield.
He shared an article by Mike Jennings that was in the recent edition of Signals, a publication of the CTBIA.
Correspondence
Ms. Walters Thompson has resigned from the Commission as an alternate, however, as of November 2008, she has been appointed as a full member. Mr. Jennings has been reappointed as a full member until 2013.
Mr. LaMontagne will be preparing the annual report for the town.
He also shared a thank you letter the commission received from Gloria Knirem.
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
January 20, 2009
Page Four
Other Business
Joe Lowey has requested that State Representative Linda Schofield present legislation requiring Certified Nursing Aides and Home Health Aides, who work in housing authorities, to have mandatory criminal checks. Should this occur he is asking the Commission to write a letter of support.
ADJOURNMENT:
Next meeting: February 18, 2009
Ms. Fallon made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Long seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynn R. Veith
Clerk
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