Town of Simsbury
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
January 17, 2012
Chairperson Edward LaMontagne called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Youth Room of Eno Memorial Hall, Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury
Present: Edward LaMontagne, Victor Bible, Kathie Fallon, Mona Herman, Mike Jennings, Marvin Koff, Mary Ellen Long, Charlotte Steptoe, Ron Zappile, Mark Orenstein, Arlene Zappile, Peggy Shanks, Arpit Dave, (Student Liaison), Kathleen Marschall, (Senior Center Coordinator), John Hampton, (Board of Selectmen Liaison), Joe Loewy, (Simsbury Housing Authority)
Excused: Grace Comeau, Carrie Kramer, Mona Martinik, Lynn Veith
Public Audience: None
Minutes, Previous Meeting: The meeting minutes from November 15, 2011 were reviewed and accepted with spelling and grammatical corrections.
Program/Sub-Committee Reports
- Souper Tuesday – no report; it will be necessary to transfer funds to the Souper Tuesday account before the next event
- Public Relations – Vic Bible will be working with Mike Jennings and Ed LaMontagne to produce publicity for the handicapped parking campaign. Arpit Dave is working to have the High School produce posters to be used as part of the campaign.
- Citizens Service Award – this year it will be the Ability Awareness Award. Forms will be distributed and will be due in by April 1st. The sub committee will work with Vic Bible to get publicity to hopefully increase the number of nominations. The award will be presented at a May Board of Selectman Meeting.
Town of Simsbury
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
17 January 2012
Page Two
Senior Center Report
The Center is hosting cell phone training on a one-to-one basis for anyone who would like to know more about using their phone. The Center is beginning a Bereavement Course in conjunction with McLean. The seven week program is open to anyone in the community. Tax assistance is again available and will be held this year at the Library. There is another Senior Citizen Night, January 27th with dinner and a high school girl’s basketball game.
Student Liaison Report:
The High School’s Honors Visual Media class will be working on posters for the handicapped parking issue. Arpit Dave will take back more information to them and the posters should be ready shortly.
Old Business
- Handicapped Parking Issue – Ed LaMontagne, Mike Jennings and John Hampton met with Police Chief Ingvertson to discuss the issue. The Police Department is willing to do periodic parking enforcement sweeps. The Commission will coordinate publicity to make residents more aware of the handicapped parking regulations and how the issue affects those who utilize the placards. The Board of Selectmen will consider an Awareness Month and the Commission has suggested that May be the initial kick-off. In addition, Vic Bible will work through the Town to utilize the Chamber communications to make area merchants aware of the regulations. The posters from the High School will be used as part of the overall awareness program.
There was a motion to accept the Proposal for Dealing with Handicapped Parking Issues in Town draft and it was accepted as amended.
Town of Simsbury
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
17 January 2012
Page Three
- Senior Center Needs Assessment – the visits to other Senior Centers were on hold over the holidays and will be starting up again by the end of January. There is a possibility of partnering with McLean on a Senior Center location.
- Storm Alfred - there was a public forum on the issue and the information from that meeting along with the various reports being generated by the State will be used to update the Town’s emergency plan.
- Boy Scout Eagle Project – the project has been approved and is currently awaiting delivery of the vials. There will be an update at future meetings.
New Business
- Senior Tax Relief - John Hampton reported that there have been two meetings and the group is exploring all options and reviewing programs in other towns. The Commission is represented by Mona Martinik, and Arlene Zappile . Since the Committee hopes to implement any approved program to take effect in the coming fiscal year, the will be working very quickly to find an acceptable plan.
- Nominating Committee – The following slate was proposed: Ed LaMontagne as Chairman, Charlotte Steptoe as Vice Chairman and Lyn Veith as Secretary. A motion to accept the nominations was made and passed. Congratulations to the newly elected officers.
- Charter Revision Commission Meeting – Peggy Shanks, Vic Bible and Mona Herman attended to represent the Commission. Ms. Shanks presented a overview of the Commission and its programs. Mr. Bible added a request for non political-based appointments and Ms. Herman stressed the dual nature of the Commission, which unlike neighboring town’s committees addresses the needs of both the aging and disabled residents of Simsbury.
Town of Simsbury
Aging and Disability Commission
Meeting Minutes
17 January 2012
Page Four
- 2013 Meeting Calendar – the calendar was approved with the notation that the November meeting will need to be a Special Meeting because of the change to the second Tuesday. The change was due to room availability issues.
- NCRMHB - The Phoenix Club will now have a part time person dedicated to serving residents in the Farmington Valley who have mental health issues. He/she will be looking to promote programs in the Farmington Valley as well as in Hartford so all members can participate.
- Other – Mr. LaMontagne sent congratulations to newly elected Board of Selectmen members along with a copy of the Commission’s listing of sub-committee programs
Correspondence
Mr. LaMontagne contacted First Selectman Mary Glassman to recommend that John Hampton continue in his position as liaison to the Commission.
Other business
There was no other business as this time
Adjournment
A motion was made by Peggy Shanks to adjourn the meeting and it was seconded by Marvin Koff. The meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Aging and Disability Commission will be Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 7p.m. in the Youth Room at Eno Memorial Hall.
| 
