+TOWN OF SIMSBURY
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
March 17, 2009
Meeting Minutes
Chairperson, Edward LaMontagne called the meeting to order in the Youth Room at Eno Hall, Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06070 at 7:05 p.m.
Present: Grace Comeau, Tom Doran, Kathy Fallon, Mike Jennings, Martin Koff, Ed LaMontagne, Mary Ellen Long, Mona Martinik, Mark Orenstein, Charlotte Steptoe, Lynn Veith, Rich Hogan (BOS Liaison) Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator)
Excused: Mona Herman, Carrie Kramer, Ann Walters-Thompson, Arlene Zappile
Public Audience: None
Guests:
Joe Loewy, Simsbury Housing Authority
Larry Pollack, Housing Dreams Group. Approximately 40-50 people attend meetings. They have had speakers at many of their meetings to assist members understand the system and residential options. Mr. Pollack also stated that there may be significant cuts in the proposed Special Education Budget that would drastically affect services to special needs students. A group will attend a meeting with the Special Education Parent Organization tomorrow evening to discuss these cuts.
Minutes, Previous Meeting: The meeting minutes from February 17, 2009 were reviewed and accepted with spelling and grammatical corrections.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Souper Tuesday - Grace Comeau
Next Souper event is April 14th. At that time students from Tarrifville School will attend to participate in a reading program with seniors. .Mr. LaMontagne distributed budget reconciliation for Souper Tuesday and Aging and Disability Funds. The last Souper Tuesday will be held May 18th. John Wiles from the Simsbury Civitan Club wishes to sponsor two Souper Tuesday events. The Lions may also sponsor an event.
Citizen Service Award - Lynn Veith
Ms. Veith is waiting for nominations to arrive. The award will be presented at a Board of Selectman meeting in May.
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SUB COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Accessibility - Ann Walters Thompson
Ms. Thompson was excused from the meeting and there was no report given.
Disability Needs Assessment - Mike Jennings
Mr. LaMontagne reviewed the proposal with the consultant. The revised proposal is for $250.00 for paper and electronic formatting. A discussion ensued. Mr. LaMontagne made a motion for Chris Casey Concepts to complete the formatting. Mr. Jennings approved the motion. Mr. Koff seconded the motion. A vote was taken. All approved. No denials. Mr. LaMontagne will confirm with First Selectman Mary Glassman before contacting Ms. Casey
Housing - Ed LaMontagne
Mr. LaMontagne shared information regarding the Incentive Housing Zone meeting scheduled for this Wednesday night, March 18th. Mr. LaMontagne also shared a letter from State Representative Linda Schofield, responding to his letter on behalf of the Commission supporting HB 5583.
Public Relations - Carrie Kramer
Ms. Kramer was excused from the meeting and there was no report given.
Senior/Community Center Assessment - Mona Martinik
Ms. Martinik and Ms. Marschall will be meeting with seniors regarding wishes for a potential new senior center. Ms. Martinik reported that several of the new walkway pavers are loose. Selectman Hogan will contact Mr. Sawicki, Town Engineer, regarding this issue.
Senior Tax Relief - Ed LaMontagne
Mr. LaMontagne will be working on press releases to increase awareness of the towns existing Tax Relief Program. These press releases will be distributed in April.
SENIOR CENTER REPORT - Kathleen Marschall, Senior Center Coordinator
Ms. Marschall distributed the menus for the new Wednesday lunch program. The new laptops for the Senior Center are forth coming. Volunteers are available to assist seniors with their tax returns.
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Meeting Minutes
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Page Three
OLD BUSINESS
Community Forum 4/2/09
The date for the Community Forum has been scheduled for April 2, 2009. The Forum will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the Program Room at the Simsbury Public Library. Mr. LaMontagne has sent press releases to: Valley Press, Farmington Valley Times, Fitzgerald’s and SCTV. Selectman Hogan will post on the Board of Ed list serve. Mr. Koff will post a notice at Powder Forest and One West Street
Elderly Work Tax Credit
A discussion ensued. At face value this seems like a good idea, however commission members had many questions regarding the process. A suggestion was made to invite someone from an existing program to come to a Commission meeting. Mr. LaMontagne will pursue further.
Other Business
None
NEW BUSINESS
Partnership with Simsbury Chamber of Commerce
Mr. LaMontagne and Ms. Cramer met with Charity Folk, Executive Director of the Simsbury Chamber of Commerce to discuss options for working cooperatively. Ms. Folk proposed two options: one is a quarterly newsletter article in the Chamber newsletter and the second is to present an award at the Chambers annual meeting in May to a business that supports disability and aging issues. Members discussed both options. The article seems viable; however there is not sufficient time to select a business for this year’s annual meeting. Everyone agreed it would be appropriate for next year.
Legislation
Mr. LaMontagne shared updates on current legislation: Dial-A Ride cuts (Loss to Simsbury); SB 28 An Act Concerning Priority Housing by Elderly or Disabled
Persons, SB 444 An Act Concerning Handicapped Parking Spaces, SB 245 Property Tax Credits for Home Improvements.
Announcements
Mr. LaMontagne shared information regarding requests for assistance to Simsbury Social Services. The Food Programs are up 40%. Applications for the Fuel Assistance Program are up 50% this year. Social Services spent
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approximately $67,000 (donated funds) last year to assist residents, and are spending about the same amount so far this year.
State Senator Kevin Witkos will hold open office hours on March 31st from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Simsbury Public Library.
Mr. LaMontagne will be attending the Board of Selectman Public Safety Subcommittee meeting on March 19TH.
Correspondence
Mr. LaMontagne has received an invitation from the Simsbury Woman’s Club for their luncheon, which will be held on April 14th at the Apple Barn.
OTHER BUSINESS
None
ADJOURNMENT:
Mona Martinik made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Fallon seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
Next meeting: April 21, 2009 at Eno Hall
Ms. Margaret Smith Hale, Executive Director of ITN North Central Connecticut will be the guest.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynn Veith
Lynn R. Veith
Clerk
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