TOWN OF SIMSBURY
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
October 20, 2009
Meeting Minutes
Chairperson, Edward LaMontagne called the meeting to order in the Youth Room at Eno Memorial Hall, Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT at 7:03 p.m.
Present: Grace Comeau, Kathy Fallon, Mona Herman, Mike Jennings, Carrie Kramer, Marvin Koff, Mary Ellen Long, Ed LaMontagne, Mona Martinik, Charlotte Steptoe, Lynn Veith, Ann Walters-Thompson, Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator), Joe Loewy (Simsbury Housing Authority)
Excused: Tom Doran, Mark Orenstein, Arlene Zappile, Rich Hogan (BOS Liaison)
Public Audience: None
Minutes, Previous Meeting: The meeting minutes from September 15, 2009 were reviewed and accepted with spelling corrections.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Souper Tuesday - Grace Comeau
The October Souper Tuesday event was held this date. This Souper Tuesday consisted of the annual fashion show. There were approximately 84 people in attendance as well as 20 individuals who modeled clothes from the Second Hand Shop. The next Souper Tuesday event is scheduled for November 17th. Mr. LaMontagne also distributed a reconciliation of the Souper Tuesday account.
Citizen Service Award - Lynn Veith
Ms. Veith will be preparing the nomination forms for mailing in the spring with the award presentation to be held in May 2010.
SUB COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Accessibility - Ann Walters Thompson
An accessibility assessment of town buildings will be conducted by the commission in the spring. A listing of town buildings will be utilized as well as a checklist from the US Department of Justice, which governs the accessibility of town buildings.
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 20, 2009
Page Two
Disability Needs Assessment - Mike Jennings
The survey design has been completed. It was decided that the actual survey process will begin in the spring. The survey will be included in the April/May/June edition of the Senior Communicator as well as being on the town web site.
Housing - Ed LaMontagne
Joe Loewy stated that the Housing Authority will be holding an Open House at the Owen Murphy and Virginia Connelly Housing complex on Hopmeadow Street. The Open House will be held on Thursday 29 October from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Housing Authority has also received funding from CL&P for ductless heat and air conditioning upgrades.
Public Relations - Carrie Kramer
Ms. Kramer distributed a draft article for the next edition of the Simsbury Chamber of Commerce Newsletter. A discussion followed. Ms. Kramer and Mr. LaMontagne will review the recommendations and contact Ms. Charity Folk, Chamber Executive Director, for publication.
Senior/Community Center Assessment - Mona Martinik
Mr. LaMontagne distributed the results of the Senior Center Survey, which was conducted in August and September. Two hundred and thirty surveys were received. Mr. LaMontagne mailed copies of the report to the First Selectman, Board of Selectmen, Social Services Department Director and Senior Center Coordinator. Mr. LaMontagne hopes to present the results of the survey at next Monday’s BOS meeting. Mr. LaMontagne will ask to have the results of the survey posted on the town web site. A summary of the survey will be included in the next copy of the Senior Center Communicator and complete copies will be available at the Senior Center.
Ms. Martinik also stated that Mark Brady Kitchens has evaluated the current Senior Center kitchen and will be working with Ms. Marschall on an upgrade.
Senior Tax Relief - Ed LaMontagne
Mr. LaMontagne distributed information regarding Elderly Work Tax Credit programs in effect in Bloomfield (0 enrollees), Manchester (0 enrollees), Portland (8 enrollees) and Rocky Hill (30 enrollees). A motion was made to authorize Mr. LaMontagne to contact Deputy First Selectman John Hampton to discuss the commission’s support of the program and any future steps.
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 20, 2009
Page Three
SENIOR CENTER REPORT - Kathleen Marschall, Senior Center Coordinator
The Westminster School sent 13 students to assist seniors in their homes in addition to making lunch and presenting a musical at the Senior Center. A fall prevention program was presented by McLean recently and a fall screening was conducted by a McLean physical therapist. Ms. Marschall also shared the schedule of Fitness Programs at the Senior Center.
OLD BUSINESS
• Accessibility of Polling Venues
Mr. LaMontagne spoke to the Registrar of Voters office regarding accessibility issues at the town polling stations for the November election. He was informed of the following changes. At Henry James, temporary handicapped parking will be posted. Curbside voting will be available at Latimer Lane and Tootin Hills schools and additional signs will be posted. Commission members will review the various polling places on Election Day for accessibility issues.
Other Business
• None
NEW BUSINESS
NCRMHB Update
• Mr. LaMontagne shared information on the numbers of individuals residing in the Farmington Valley who are served by DMHAS. He also distributed information regarding supportive housing.
Community Forum
• After a short discussion it was decided that the commission will conduct the next Community Forum in the spring.
First National Study on Crime Against Persons with Disabilities
• Mr. LaMontagne shared an article from the U.S. Department of Justice citing statistics on the number of crimes committed against persons with disabilities.
Announcements
• The Simsbury Social Service Department is currently taking applications for heating assistance.
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 20, 2009
Page Four
• Mr. LaMontagne distributed an article regarding a consent decree that was recently issued regarding a resident at the New Horizon’s Village in Unionville.
Correspondence
• None
Other Business
• Ms. Kramer shared brochures from the NEAT Center in Hartford regarding Certified Aging in Place Specialists who can complete a home assessment.
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ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business a motion was made by Ms. Long to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Next meeting: November 17, 2009 location TBD
Respectfully submitted,
Lynn R. Veith
Lynn R. Veith
Clerk
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