TOWN OF SIMSBURY
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
May 19, 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: Carrie Kramer, Kathy Fallon, Mona Herman, Mike Jennings, Marvin Koff, Ed LaMontagne, Mona Martinik, Mark Orenstein, Charlotte Steptoe, Lynn Veith, Ann Walters-Thompson, Arlene Zappile, Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator, liaison), Rich Hogan (BOS Liaison)
Excused: Grace Comeau, Mary Ellen Long
Absent: Tom Doran
Public Audience: None
Guests:
Joe Loewy, Simsbury Housing Authority
Minutes, Previous Meeting: The meeting minutes from April 21, 2009 were reviewed and accepted with a grammatical correction.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Souper Tuesday - Grace Comeau
Ms. Comueau is excused. Ms. Martinik reported on the last Souper Tuesday event of the season. The Lions Club sponsored this event and assisted with serving the food. Ms. Martinik requested assistance with serving meals in the future. Ms. Comeau has requested that future Tuesday events will start at noon instead of 12:30. Mr. LaMontagne will send thank you letters to kitchen and Souper Tuesday volunteers on behalf of the Commission.
Picnic in the Park – Charlotte Steptoe
Ms. Steptoe confirmed Saturday, August 8th as the date for Picnic in the Park. The picnic will once again be held at St. Catherine of Siena RC Church in West Simsbury. Mr. LaMontagne will facilitate the insurance coverage. Ms. Steptoe will coordinate distribution of picnic flyers with Mr. LaMontagne. The theme this year will be red, white and blue. Ms. Steptoe estimates the cost of the event to be approx. $800.00.
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
19 May 2009
Page two
Citizen Service Award - Lynn Veith
Mr. LaMontagne thanked Ms. Veith for coordinating the event. Ms. Veith reported the Ability Awareness Award was presented to Gretchen Nelson at the BOS meeting on May 11, 2009. Many of the students and parents of the FVTA and FAVARH attended the ceremony and reception. Ms. Veith thanked the Commission members for their support of the award and also thanked McLean for underwriting the cost of the award. Ms. Veith has submitted an article to the Hartford Courant I-Towns.
SUB COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Accessibility - Ann Walters Thompson
Ms. Ann Walters Thompson shared information on a work in progress reviewing accessibility issues in Simsbury. The Commission will send a letter to Brandon Robertson and to Chamber of Commerce members regarding a review of public and private businesses notifying them that the Commission will be reviewing ADA compliance. Also discussed were accessibility issues at Henry James Middle School during voting today on the town budget. Mr. LaMontagne will send a letter to Mr. Brandon Robertson and Ms. Mary Glassman regarding issues identified.
Disability Needs Assessment - Mike Jennings
The revised draft of the survey was reviewed. With the exception of a few corrections the Commission approved of the survey. Methods of distribution were discussed: list serve, Senior Communicator, town web site, library, Eno Hall, SCTV and general advertising.
Housing - Ed LaMontagne
Mr LaMontagne announced that Mr. Jennings was appointed to the Board of New Horizon’s Village. The Journey Home Housing Committee is a private committee whose mission to develop a ten year plan to develop supportive housing, especially individuals who are homeless. The Incentive Housing Zone report is not completed at this time, but a draft should be available by August.
Public Relations - Carrie Kramer
Ms. Kramer and Mr. LaMontagne are working on a message to be placed in the Chamber Quarterly Newsletter in September. SCTV is doing community announcements at this time. Mr. LaMontagne will be in contact with SCTV on this item.
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
19 May 2009
Page three
Senior/Community Center Assessment - Mona Martinik
No new news. The kitchen is being evaluated. A questionnaire is being developed. Ms. Marschall, Ms. Martinik and Ms. Long will be visiting several other Senior Centers which have been recently renovated or built.
Senior Tax Relief - Ed LaMontagne
An article was placed in the Hartford Courant, by the town, informing seniors and persons with disabilities that the deadline is approaching regarding application for the towns tax relief program.
SENIOR CENTER REPORT - Kathleen Marschall, Senior Center Coordinator
Ms. Marchall distributed copies of the June/July/August Communicator. The four new laptops have arrived. Movies will be shown at the Library starting in August.
OLD BUSINESS
Elder Work Tax Credit
Mr. LaMontagne has not been able to connect with the people in Bloomfield who currently have an existing program. Mr. LaMontagne will notify Mr. Hampton that the Commission wishes to pursue this opportunity, but would like to study it further. The study of this program will be moved to the Senior Tax Relief Sub Committee.
Simsbury Farms Accessibility
Mr. LaMontagne announced that he has been informed that the downstairs bathroom at Simsbury Farms will be renovated this summer to make it accessible.
Other Business
None
NEW BUSINESS
Financial Update
Mr. LaMontagne shared updated financial statements. A $900.00 donation was received from the Civitan Club. The First Church of Christ will also be sending a donation for Souper Tuesday. On July 1st the Commission will have available $1,500.00 in town funds.
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
19 May 2009
Page four
NCRMHB Update
Mr. LaMontagne was appointed as the Town of Simsbury’s representative on the North Central Region Mental Health Board. Mr. LaMontagne described the purpose and make up of the Board as well as what is currently being discussed.
Announcements
Mr. LaMontagne shared an article regarding Money Follows the Person Program as well as two articles concerning members of the Commission.
Correspondence
None
Other Business
May is National Stroke Awareness Program. Ms. Kramer distributed information on warning signs of strokes.
ADJOURNMENT:
Next meeting: June 16, 2009 at Simsbury Public Library
Mr. Koff made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Fallon seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:04p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynn Veith
Lynn R. Veith
Clerk
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