TOWN OF SIMSBURY
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
April 21, 2009
Meeting Minutes
Chairperson, Edward LaMontagne called the meeting to order in the Old Court Room at Eno Memorial Hall, Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06070 at 7:05 p.m.
Present: Grace Comeau, Carrie Kramer, Kathy Fallon, Mona Herman, Marvin Koff, Mike Jennings, Ed LaMontagne, Mary Ellen Long, Mona Martinik, Charlotte Steptoe, Lynn Veith, Ann Walters-Thompson, Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator)
Excused: Tom Doran, Mark Orenstein, Arlene Zappile, Rich Hogan (BOS Liaison)
Public Audience: None
Guests:
Margaret Smith Hale, Executive Director ITN North Central CT
Ms. Smith Hale provided information into the history, eligibility, costs and process of the ITN program.
Brandon Robertson - ADA Grievance Procedure
Mr. Robertson shared proposed language for changes in the ADA Grievance Procedure for the Town of Simsbury. The commission members will review and forward comments.
Joe Loewy, Simsbury Housing Authority
Previous Meeting: The meeting minutes from March 17, 2009 were reviewed and accepted with spelling grammatical corrections.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Souper Tuesday - Grace Comeau
The event went very well. There were 45 students (funded by the PTO of Tarrifville School) and 100 seniors. Ms. Comeau proposed the following dates for the remainder of the year: 9/22, 10/20, 11/17. Mr. LaMontagne shared the attendance reports from the past three fiscal years. Attendance has increased. The Simsbury Civitan Club contacted Mr. LaMontagne. They have stated that they will fund two Souper Tuesday events if the Lions Club will sponsor two events. Ms. Martinik reported on the Simsbury Woman’s Club luncheon. The commission received a check for $150.00 for the Souper Tuesday account. The current reconciliation was shared with members.
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2009
Page Two
Picnic in the Park - Charlotte Steptoe
Ms. Steptoe proposed Saturday, August 8th for the event. The commission members approved the date. The event will once again be held at the St. Catherine of Siena Church in West Simsbury.
Citizen Service Award - Lynn Veith
Ms. Veith presented the nominations. She will notify the awardee and schedule a presentation date with the Board of Selectman, which will be in May.
SUB COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Accessibility - Ann Walters Thompson
Ms. Ann Walters Thompson will contact Mr. Robertson regarding accessibility issues in Simsbury. She will also forward these issues to Mr. LaMontagne.
Disability Needs Assessment - Mike Jennings
Mr. Jennings shared the draft of the needs assessment survey. Recommendations were discussed. The committee will convene to discuss additions, changes, paper size, font size and distribution.
Housing - Ed LaMontagne
Dial-A-Ride funding is still in negotiations for the state budget. Mr. LaMontagne will research the status of current budget proposals. He sent a letter of support of Dial-A-Ride funding to State Representative Linda Schofield. He will send a letter to State Senator Witkos, if appropriate.
Public Relations - Carrie Kramer
The Public Relations Sub-Committee held a meeting this evening prior to the Commission meeting and decided they will continue with current plans for the year. Ms. Kramer and Mr. LaMontagne will continue to work with the Simsbury Chamber of Commerce.
Senior/Community Center Assessment - Mona Martinik
Mr. LaMontagne shared research he did on new Senior Center buildings in other towns/cities.
Ms. Martinik reported that some of the pavers in front of Eno Hall are uneven.
Mr. LaMontange will follow-up with Mary Glassman on this issues as well as status of accessibility at Simsbury Farms.
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2009
Page Three
Senior Tax Relief - Ed LaMontagne
Additional publicity will be done regarding existing tax relief programs
SENIOR CENTER REPORT - Kathleen Marschall, Senior Center Coordinator
Ms. Marschall reported that the Wednesday luncheon program has a waiting list due to capacity (52 people).
On May 21st at 2:00 p.m. the Intonations Chorale Group and the Simsbury High School Concert Choir will perform at the Senior Center.
OLD BUSINESS
Community Forum Summary
The Community Forum was held on April 2nd at the Simsbury Library. Four residents attended the forum. Concerns were expressed regarding the school budget and possible cuts in the dial-a-ride program.
Elderly Work Tax Credit
Mr. LaMontagne is attempting to contact the Town of Bloomfield who currently operates a pilot Elderly Work Tax Program. It is hoped that a representative from the Bloomfield program will be able to attend the May Commission meeting.
Other Business
Town Budget: Mr. LaMontagne reported that the Aging and Disability Commission has been allocated $1,500.00 for next fiscal year.
NEW BUSINESS
Announcements
On April 28th, the Town of Simsbury will hold a Volunteer Recruitment at Eno Memorial Hall from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Mr. LaMontagne has been re-appointed to be the Town of Simsbury’s representative to the North Central Mental Health Board.
The Town of Simsbury Annual Town Meeting and Special Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 5th at 7:30 p.m. at the Simsbury High School.
Correspondence
None
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2009
Page Four
OTHER BUSINESS
None
ADJOURNMENT:
Next meeting: Tuesday May 19, 2009 at Eno Memorial Hall
Mona Martinik made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Kramer seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynn R. Veith
Lynn R. Veith
Clerk
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