TOWN OF SIMSBURY
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
September 15, 2009
Meeting Minutes
Chairperson, Edward LaMontagne called the meeting to order in the Youth Room at Eno Memorial Hall, Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06070 at 7:02 p.m.
Present: Grace Comeau, Tom Doran, Kathy Fallon, Mona Herman, Marvin Koff, Mary Ellen Long, Ed LaMontagne, Mona Martinik, Charlotte Steptoe, Lynn Veith, Arlene Zappile, Rich Hogan (BOS Liaison), Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator)
Excused: Mike Jennings, Carrie Kramer, Mark Orenstein, Ann Walters-Thompson
Public Audience: None
Guests: Joe Loewy, Simsbury Housing Authority
Minutes of Previous Meeting: The meeting minutes from the July 21, 2009 Special Meeting were reviewed and accepted with a spelling correction.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Souper Tuesday - Grace Comeau
Three helpers have retired. One new volunteer has been recruited. More volunteers are needs to fill the vacancies. Mr. Loewy and Christine Winters from the Simsbury Housing Authority have volunteered to provide assistance.
The projected Souper Tuesday dates for the following year are as follows: 9/22/09, 10/20/09, 11/17/09, 2/16/10, 4/20/10 and 5/18/10.
Picnic in the Park - Charlotte Steptoe
Ms. Steptoe expressed her thanks to the Commission members for their assistance to make the event a success. Over 100 individuals attended. Mr. LaMontagne shared the financial reconciliation for the event since 1999.
Citizen Service Award - Lynn Veith
The next award to be presented by the Commission will be the Senior Service Award. Ms. Veith will be preparing the nomination forms for mailing in the spring with the award presentation to be held in May 2010.
Town of Simsbury
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
15 September 2009
Page Two
SUB COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Accessibility
Ms. Ann Walters-Thompson was not present. Mr. LaMontagne stated that the accessibility of town buildings will be evaluated during this fall and winter.
Disability Needs Assessment
Due to the distribution of the Senior Center Survey, a decision was made to postpone the Disability Needs Assessment Survey until October 2009.
Housing – E d LaMontagne
Mr. LaMontagne made a presentation to the Zoning Board of Appeals in support of Atty. Ritson’s request a variance to exceed the total square footage of residential use in a B-1 zone from 40% to up to, and including, 91% on property located at 144-150 Hopmeadow Street. This will allow Atty. Ritsen to construct up to fourteen handicapped accessible units at the location on Hopmeadow Street. The zoning variance was approved.
Mr. Loewy reported that the State of CT will reimburse 100% of current assistance funds. No additional state funds are available with new vacancies.
Public Relations
No report.
Senior/Community Center Assessment - Mona Martinik
The survey was sent out in August. It was advertised in the Hartford Courant, Fitzgeralds, SCTV, and was available on the Town of Simsbury website. Copies were also available at the Library. Over 180 surveys have been returned thus far. The results will be compiled and a report will be presented to the Board of Selectman in October.
Senior Tax Relief - Ed LaMontagne
Postpone discussion to Elder Work Tax Credit under new business.
SENIOR CENTER REPORT - Kathleen Marschall, Senior Center Coordinator
New fall classes started this week. The Senior Center is using the Program Room at the Library for movies during the day, which is working out very well. The Senior Center will once again have a Wii Bowling Team, which will compete with other area Senior Centers.
Town of Simsbury
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
15 September 2009
Page Three
OLD BUSINESS
Elder Work Tax Credit
Selectman John Hampton had requested an update with regard to the Commissions position on this issue. A letter was sent to selectman Hampton in June indicating that the Commission believed in this program in principal, but wanted to speak to other towns with the program to determine effectiveness. Mr. LaMontagne will follow up.
Budget Fund Reconciliation
$841.11 was returned to the Town from the last FY budget. Mr. LaMontagne distributed the budget reconciliation for the first two months of FY2010.
Other Business
None
NEW BUSINESS
Town Center Charrette
The Town Center Charrette is in progress. Mr. LaMontagne addressed the issues of accessibility and the Senior Center at a meeting with the consultants in August. Mr. LaMontagne and several other Commission members attended a planning meeting on Saturday September 12th at the Library. The consultants will be sharing their recommendations at a meeting on Wednesday September 16th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Simsbury Library.
Meeting Time Change
Mr. LaMontagne was notified that, due to budget constraints, the library will be closing at 8:00 pm. We currently have our October and November meeting scheduled for the library. Discussion was held regarding whether we should change out meeting times. The majority of Commissioners indicated they would like to keep the original times. Ms. Marschall will check the schedule to see if the Commission can use the Youth Room at Eno for their meetings in October and November.
NCRMHB Update
Mr. LaMontagne is the Town of Simsbury representative on the North Central Region Mental Health Board. He will bring statistics on utilization of DEMAS services by the town to the next meeting.
Town of Simsbury
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
15 September 2009
Page Four
Announcements
Mr. LaMontagne received an email from Charles J, Wolfe Associates concerning a Focus Group to be held on September 29th from 7-9p.m. at Eno Memorial Hall. The purpose of the focus group is to discuss Navigating the Gray & White Water of Eldercare.
Correspondence
Mr. LaMontagne shared a letter from First Selectman Mary Glassman regarding the construction of sidewalks from One West Street to Hopmeadow Street. The walk and crossing signal are expected to be completed in September.
Mr. LaMontagne shared correspondence from a Simsbury resident wishing to do volunteer work for the Commission. Mr. LaMontagne will contact her to discuss options.
Other Business
Mr. Loewy shared an update on the renovations at Owen Murphy and Virginia Connelly. He will be scheduling an open house in the next few months.
Ms. Fallon has arranged to have Carole Shmurak from Aging in Place in West Hartford to be a guest at the November Commission meeting.
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ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Koff made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Fallon seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Next meeting: October 20, 2009 Location TBD
Respectfully submitted,
Lynn Veith
Lynn R. Veith
Clerk
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