TOWN OF SIMSBURY
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
January 24, 2006
Meeting Minutes
Chairperson, Edward LaMontagne called the meeting to order in the Blue Room at Eno Memorial Hall, 754 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Connecticut at 7:05 p.m.
Present: Rickie Bergquist (Staff Consultant), Grace Comeau, Kathy Fallon, Gloria Knierim, Lynn Veith, Ed LaMontagne, Mary Ellen Long, Charlotte Steptoe, and Peg Bergethon.
Not Present: Carrie Kramer, Lorraine Piurowski, John Romano (Board of Selectmen liaison), Mona Mortinik.
Public Audience: None.
Minutes, Previous Meeting: Motion made and carried (Ms. Fallon/Ms.Veith), approving minutes, as amended, from November 15, 2005.
REPORTS:
A. Disability: Mr. LaMontagne distributed an Executive Summary of a report presented at a mini-conference of the 2005 White House Conference on Aging. The report was titled, “Disability & Aging: Seeking Solutions to Improve Health, Productivity, and Community Living. Mr. LaMontagne also distributed an article from the January 15th edition of the Hartford Courant regarding the best location for polling stations in the Town of Canton. Each of the locations was considered in part on how they complied with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This issue has been brought up by a Commission member in the past with regard to how
Simsbury polling places fare with regard to the ADA.
B. Aging Issues: Mr. LaMontagne distributed a press release from the 2005 White House Conference on Aging held in December. The Conference delegates shared recommendations to be sent to the President and Congress on the pressing aging issues of today and in the future. The press release noted the top 10 resolutions voted on by the delegates. Also distributed was an article from the Hartford Courant regarding the State of Connecticut allotting $10 million in funding, spread over two years, for municipalities that want to expand dial-a-ride services for elderly and disabled residents. It is believed that Simsbury has received $33 thousand. Ms.
Fallon distributed an article from the New York Times regarding driving and senior issues. Also discussed was the issue regarding flu shots. At a previous Commission meeting it was brought up if Simsbury should assume the cost of flu shots similar to what Granby does. Ms. Veith stated that Granby has earmarked funds specifically for flu shots and that in Simsbury no one is turned away based on ability to pay. Ms. Bergquist stated that the Farmington Valley VNA has stated that Eno Memorial Hall is “non-friendly” for giving flu shots due to a lack of parking and flu shot clinics have been cut back from three to one.
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Meeting Minutes
24 January 2006
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C. Legislative Issues: The state legislative session will open on February 8th with the
Governor’s State of the State Report. The federal Medicare Part D Prescription Drug
Program continues to be problematic for seniors. Mr. LaMontagne distributed an
article stating that on December 16th, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced S. 2124,
the Emergency Preparedness and Response for Individuals with Disabilities Act of
2005. The legislation will address the needs of individuals with disabilities in
emergency planning and relief efforts.
D. Housing Issues: Mr. LaMontagne distributed an article downloaded from Atty. Steve Gold’s Nuggets of Information website. The article spoke of the lack of public housing for the elderly and persons with disabilities and made recommendations for what disability advocates should do to assess and assure compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Ms. Fallon stated that the Belden Forest, Independent Living Apartments for seniors, does not have an elevator large enough to accommodate a gurney.
E. Souper Tuesday: Ms. Comeau reported that there were 15 no shows for the Souper Tuesday event held on November 29th. It was recommended that an article be placed in the Simsbury Post announcing an upcoming Souper Tuesday at least two weeks prior to the event. Ms. Comeau stated that the next Souper Tuesday is scheduled for February 28th. Ms. Comeau noted an article in the November 17th edition of the Simsbury Post which stated that the Ensign-Bickford Foundation has contributed to “Souper” luncheons for seniors. However, no current Commission member has any knowledge of any monies being donated by this organization
for Souper Tuesday luncheons.
F. Way and Means: Mr. LaMontagne state that he has sent letters requesting
donations for “Souper Tuesday” to the following organizations:
- Simsbury Women’s Club
- Simsbury Jr. Women’s Club
- Simsbury Lion’s Club
- Simsbury/Granby Rotary Club
- First Church of Christ
As a result of the letters a $400.00 donation has been received from the
Simsbury Lion’s Club as well as an invitation to speak to the Simsbury/Granby
Rotary Club in March. It was recommended that a letter be sent to the Simsbury
Civitan Club and the Simsbury Retired Men’s Club, as well as area churches.
G. Senior Center: Ms. Bergquist stated that the senior center reached a milestone
this week by attaining 1,400 members of which ½ to ¾ are actively involved each
month. Kudos were given to Francis Sarnicki for her dedication with assisting seniors
with understanding the new Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan. Ms. Bergquist
stated that program use has increased since January 1st and that approximately 15 to
20 seniors aged 68 to 85 uses the fitness room on a daily basis. Ms. Bergquist has also
started conversations with the Recreation Department to begin an “Extreme Adult Club”.
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Meeting Minutes
24 January 2006
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H. Other: There were no other reports.
OLD BUSINESS
· Open Forum – Mr. LaMontagne stated that the Commission conducted its second Open Forum on November 29th in the Blue Room at Eno Memorial Hall. Six seniors from Simsbury attended the forum. The two major issues brought forth by the seniors included affordable housing and tax breaks. They also indicated that Eno was a fine facility for senior programming and that the Senior Center offers good quality programs. Mr. LaMontagne thanked Ms. Knierim for her assistance with the forum.
· 2006 Plan of Action – Copies of the Commission Plan of Action for 2006 were distributed. The Plan of Action was approved at the last Commission meeting on November15th. Mr. LaMontagne stated that he has sent a copy of the Plan of Action to the Board of Selectman.
· A&D Brochure – The updated A&D Brochure is ready to be brought to the printer. Members agreed that blue paper would be the most appealing. The brochures will be ready for dissemination at the February Commission meeting.
· Charter Revision Update – Mr. LaMontagne stated that the Charter Revision Commission submitted their draft report on November 17th. The report recommended that the Aging and Disability Commission be retained. With regard to a request that the Charter specify that some members of the Commission be persons with disabilities, the recommendation was that the Board of Selectman consider amending the ordinance dealing with the Aging and Disability Commission. Mr. LaMontagne stated that he testified before the Board of Selectman on December 14th in support of these recommendations. Further, he recommended that the Commission draw up
language for the Board of Selectman to consider for the ordinance. Discussion was held regarding the appropriateness of adding this language to an ordinance. This matter was tabled for discussion at the next Commission meeting in February.
· Other – There was no other old business brought forth.
NEW BUSINESS
· Publicity – Mr. LaMontagne stated that the Commission has received some good press over the past two months. On December 9th the Simsbury Post ran a front page article concerning the emergency beacon device. On November 25th the Post also ran an article announcing the Commission’s Open Forum. In January the Simsbury Life newspaper ran a picture of Mr. LaMontagne, Mr. Romano, Chief Ingvertsen and Fire Marshall Kowalski regarding the emergency beacon flashing devices. Simsbury Life will also be running an article on the Commission for its February edition.
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Meeting Minutes
24 January 2006
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· Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest Acknowledgement Form – Mr. LaMontagne stated that all Commission members should have received their Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest Acknowledgement Form. He recommended that these forms be signed and returned to the First Selectman’s office as soon as possible.
· Nominating Committee Report – Ms. Knierim presented a recommended slate of officers for 2006. They were:
- Edward LaMontagne – Chairperson
- Charlotte Steptoe – Vice Chairperson
- Lynn Vieth – Clerk
A motion to accept the proposed slate of officers was requested. Ms. Knierim
made a motion to accept with a second by Ms. Comeau. All members voted aye.
Mr. LaMontagne thanked Ms. Knierim and her committee for their work.
· Correspondence
- A memo was received from Sue Mazurski of the First Selectman’s office
requesting an update of Commission member information. The form was passed
around to members to indicate corrections.
- A copy of a letter from Moira Wortheimer to Carolyn Kelly, Town Clerk,
was received. The letter was Ms. Wortheimer’s resignation from the Aging and Disability Commission due to her recent election to the Board of Selectman.
· Other
- Ms. Veith submitted procedures for the Senior Service and Disability
Awareness Awards presented by the Commission.
Adjournment: Motion made and carried (Ms. Fallon/Ms. Veith) - Meeting adjourned 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Edward J. LaMontagne
Chairman
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