TOWN OF REDDING
COMMISSION FOR THE ELDERLY
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2006
9:00 A.M.
HERITAGE CENTER
Present:
Pat Castonguay
Bill Morris
Jack Froehlich
Florence Hayes
Alice Pardee
Sharon Rehme
Tom Wylie
Gail Schiron
Marie Sibilio
Alternates:
Nancy Morgan
Jean Whitham
Also present: Natalie Ketcham, First Selectman.
The meeting was called to order at 9:05 A.M.
I. Approval of Minutes from March 1, 2006
The minutes were reviewed by the Commission, and the following corrections will be made:
Natalie Ketcham, First Selectman
Pg 1, paragraph 1, correct spelling of Steven Soler, and “….applications are on a first come, first served basis.”
Pg 2, paragraph re Bethel VNA, flu shots for seniors will be held at the Heritage Center on November 1st.
Upon a motion by Mr. Morris, seconded by Mr. Froehlich, the Commission voted unanimously to accept the minutes as amended.
II. Public Participation: There was no public comment.
III. Reports
Director of Human Services
-Ms. Schiron presented her report to the Commission.
-Activities included processing 2 ConnPACE Renewal Applications.
-The office assisted two residents with Medicare Part D. Mr. Morris suggested speaking with the Town Attorney about confirming conversations with residents. Ms. Schiron cannot recommend a specific plan, but because the process is complicated, residents may become easily confused about information given to them. Another option is a check list of items covered in discussion with residents about Medicare, which they could sign, verifying information that they have received and that the plan they choose was their decision.
-There was one request for assisted living information.
-Ms. Schiron made 1 homebound visit.
-Ms. Schiron assisted a family member in getting the proper medical help for a senior resident.
-Thank you to Curves in Georgetown for sponsoring a successful food drive.
-Six residents attended the blood pressure screening.
Ms. Whitham suggested the Commission host an event, meeting with area ministers to familiarize them with the Commission for the Elderly and the Heritage Center.
Senior Center Coordinator
-Marie Sibilio presented the report to the Commission.
-Seven seniors made 72 Easter cards for the troops with help from Sharon Rehme, who submitted them to the Operation Holiday Corp. Pictures of the seniors making the cards are also posted on the Operation Holiday Corp website.
-Forty-one people attended the St. Patrick’s Day luncheon. Don Salvatore provided entertainment with Irish songs, and 28 people stayed to watch “River Dance” in the Community Room.
There is still an issue with regard to sharing the Community Room with park and Recreation. Oftentimes, a Heritage Center program is in progress in the Community Room when elementary school students come to the Community Center for after school programs. The children have to wait in the main entrance area for the program (usually a movie or speaker event) to end, and sometimes the instructor for the after school program begins set up in the Community Room before the movie is over. All agreed that some consideration has to be given to both Heritage Center and Park and Recreation activities, and one way may be to have the children wait until 3:30 to come from the elementary school and have the program start later as well. It was suggested to involve the Park and Recreation Commissioner and the First Selectman to assist in
support for an agreement amiable to both parties. This may be an opportunity to have an intergenerational program at that time, to involve seniors and school children. Park and Recreation programs are scheduled in advance, so the Heritage Center needs to schedule their programming ahead of time as well.
-Eight people attended the workshop on Stroke Prevention.
-Thirty-five people attended Bob Rogus’s slide show on Germany.
-The exercise programs are doing well; Toning and Yoga have started and another will be added at the end of April.
Commissioner
Ms. Rehme announced that Redding has received preliminary approval for the ConnDOT 13b Grant for $12,000 in transit funds. Receipt of the money is expected in July. There are certain obligations associated with the money, including improving the present system. Presently, the van operates 3 days/week between 9AM-3PM. As of July, the van will operate 5 days/week, from 8:30AM-4:30PM. Increasing the number of days and the hours of operation will mean hiring a second part time driver, as benefits are not available for a full time driver. An agreement must also be reached with the HART people to provide handicapped accessible vehicles should they be necessary. Ability Beyond Disability can also assist with this. There is approximately $3,000 budgeted toward that agreement. Quarterly financial information and ridership
numbers must also be recorded as part of the town’s commitment. Increasing the number of days is likely to result in increased ridership, which is very beneficial.
Ms. Rehme also reported on the GLD project. At the last Zoning meeting, everything on the subdivision proposal had been approved as submitted by GLD. Final confirmation from the Planning Committee is still needed. The Planning Committee has to decide on some proposed street names.
Discussion has also begun with regard to the preliminary stages of forming a list of applicants for housing. Ms. Schiron is working with John Mateo from Fairfield 2000 Homes on a pre-qualification form for financial information from applicants to determine eligibility.
Florence Hayes has agreed to assume the responsibilities associated with press releases. She will work with Ms. Sibilio. Ms. Rehme has been doing the press releases for the Heritage Center for the past two years.
Ms. Castonguay stated that Bill Morris, Janet Metzger, Janet Cianci and Sharon Rehme are all due for re-appointment by the Town Clerk. This will take place at the June meeting of the CFE.
IV. Business- General Discussion
V. Adjournment
The next CFE meeting is scheduled for May 3 at 9:00 A.M.
There being no other business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 10:07 A.M.
Submitted by vaz 4/6/2006
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