TOWN OF SIMSBURY
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
February 17, 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 7:03 p.m.
Present: Grace Comeau, Kathy Fallon, Mona Herman, Mike Jennings, Carrie Kramer, Ed LaMontagne, Mary Ellen Long, Mark Orenstein, Charlotte Steptoe, Lynn Veith, Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator), Rich Hogan (BOS Liaison)
Excused: Tom Doran, Marvin Koff, Mona Martinik, Ann Walters-Thompson Arlene Zappile,
Public Audience: None
Guests:
Gerry Toner, Director Culture, Parks and Recreation. Mr. Toner was invited to discuss accessibility issues at the Simsbury Farms Complex. Mr. Toner shared the history of the Farms project, past renovations and the current accessibility concerns. He has reviewed the buildings current status and potential for changes with the town engineer. Various options were discussed, including funding. Selectman Hampton and Hogan will pursue these issues with the BOS.
John Hampton, Deputy First Selectman: Mr. Hampton shared a proposal regarding a proposal for an Elderly Work Tax Credit program. Commission members will review the information; submit comments to Mr. LaMontagne who will then provide feedback to Deputy First Selectman Hampton. Mr. Hampton also shared that a building at 6 Wilcox Street may be available to the town.
Minutes, Previous Meeting: The meeting minutes from January 20, 2009 were reviewed and accepted with spelling corrections of commission members names.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Souper Tuesday - Grace Comeau
The event, held today, went very well. The entertainment was a banjo player and an eighth grade drummer. The kitchen volunteers did a fantastic job once again. Approximately sixty people attended however there were a significant number of people who said they were coming and did not show.
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
17 February 2009
Page Two
Citizen Service Award - Lynn Veith
Ms. Veith reported that the letter and nomination form were posted on the Town List Serve today. Mr. Hogan facilitated the list serves publishing. Ms. Veith plans to have the announcement posted in Fitsgerald’s flyer and SCTV. McLean will again fund the costs of the plaque. The award presentation will take at a Board of Selectman meeting in either May or June.
SUB COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Accessibility - Ann Walters Thompson
Ms. Walters was excused from the meeting. Mr. Jenning’s reported that he has been at the Drake Hill shopping area. He reported positive feedback on parking and accessibility to stores. Mr. Jennings suggested that a note be mailed to the owners of the plaza to report on the positive accessibility.
Disability Needs Assessment - Mike Jennings
Mr. LaMontagne reported that the commission does not have to go to bid to utilize an outside vendor to assist with the survey. Ms. Kramer and Ms. Veith suggested Mr. LaMontagne contact Chris Casey Concepts to revise the proposal to have them format the survey for web based and paper based formats. The commission members will tabulate the findings
Housing - Ed LaMontagne
Mr. LaMontagne reported that the members are working on the matrix of properties. Mr. Lowey shared an update on the status of the proposed bill to the state to require criminal checks on workers who come into public housing. The commission voted to send a letter of support to Representative Schofield in support of this bill.
Public Relations - Carrie Kramer
The subcommittee will be meeting in the near future to set agendas. Ms. Kramer and Mr. LaMontagne will be meeting with the Executive Director of the Simsbury Chamber of Commerce to discuss options for education on ADA issues.
Senior/Community Center Assessment - Mona Martinik
Ms. Martinik is excused. Ms. Martinik will be coordinating a survey of seniors as to what they would like in a new Senior Center.
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
17 February 2009
Page Three
Senior Tax Relief-Ed LaMontagne
Mr. LaMontagne questioned what would be the most appropriate time to publicize the town’s current tax relief programs. Selectman present indicated that the month of April would be.
SENIOR CENTER REPORT - Kathleen Marschall, Senior Center Coordinator
The Senior Center was awarded a $8,450 for laptop computers and motion center night lights as a part of a fall prevention program. Ms. Marschall re-educated commission members on the Expanded Dial-A Ride program. In addition, a Social Security representative will be at the Senior Center to meet with seniors and the meals program in concert with McLean is progressing well. The Meal Program is drawing a new group of people. Forty people are scheduled for tomorrow with a large number of them being men.
OLD BUSINESS
Community Forum 3/5/09
Mr. LaMontagne suggested that the forum be changed to April. Commission members approved this change. The date will need to be determined.
Budget Update
Mr. LaMontagne reported on the recent town budget workshop meeting he attended with Social Services. The Commission’s proposed allocation for FY 2010 will be $2,500.00. Other Social Services budget items slated for a decrease were reinstated. Ms. Kramer asked for updated statistics on the usage of Social Services Department services. Ms. Marshall will obtain this information and pass it on.
Other Business
None
NEW BUSINESS
Upcoming Meeting/Guests
Next month Larry Pollack from the Housing Dreams Group will attend the Commission meeting. In April, Mary Smith-Hale, Executive Director of the Independent Transportation Network for the North Central Connecticut region will speak to the Commission.
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
17 February 2009
Page Four
Announcements
The North Central Area Agency on Aging has moved to a new location at 151 New Park Avenue in Hartford, effective this date.. Mr. LaMontagne shared information he submitted to the town for the annual report.
Correspondence
Mr. Kramer has been re-appointed as a full member of the Commission until 2013.
OTHER BUSINESS
None
ADJOURNMENT:
Ms. Fallon made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Kramer seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:51 p.m.
Next meeting: March 17, 2009 at Eno Memorial Hall
Respectfully submitted,
Lynn Veith
Lynn R. Veith
Clerk
| 
