RECEIVED SEPTEMBER 16, 2008 @ 8:30 A.M.
Michele R. Grande, Redding Town Clerk
TOWN OF REDDING
COMMISSION ON AGING
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2008
9:00 a.m.
HERITAGE CENTER
Commissioners Present: Alternates Present:
Rosalind Kopfstein, Chairman Annet Bonfanti
Jack Froehlich Janet Cianci
Florence Hayes Lore Handy
Janet Metzger Sam Crocker
Bill Morris
Alice Pardee
Sharon Rehme
Jean Whitham
Staff: Gail Schiron, Marie Sibilio
Guests: Ridgefield Visiting Nursing Association: Bill Wyman, Chairman; Theresa Santoro, President and Chief Executive, Laura Switzer Coordinator, Quality Living at Home program that serves Redding and Ridgefield).
The meeting was called to order at 9:02 a.m.
I. Approval of Minutes from July 2, 2008
Page 2, Paragraph 2, second sentence, delete “that includes townhouses.” Some minor punctuation and typographical errors were corrected.
The minutes were approved as amended.
II. Community Participation
There was no community participation.
III. Reports
Ms. Schiron presented the Municipal Agent’s Report to the Commission. Highlights included an updated listing of names for the Senior Housing list. Ten couples and twenty-six singles are now on the list. There was discussion with regard to Emergency Fuel Assistance.
Ms. Sibilio presented the Heritage Center Report to the Commission. Ms. Sibilio has been appointed as Coordinator for the Meals on Wheels Program. There was discussion as to the impact of the four day Town work week on the program and how best to ensure the delivery of fresh meals to the programs participants. The importance of recognition of the volunteers who give their time was also discussed.
Van trips for July totaled 227 trips and 1,835 miles traveled. In August there were193 trips and 1,624 miles traveled. In the year that the van has been in use, it has been a very successful program, vital to the senior community, as well as several younger disabled residents that also use the program.
Ms. Rehme reported that there will be a meeting sometime in late September with regard to Georgetown affordable senior housing.
IV. Mark Twain Library Centennial in 2008
Ms. Whitham said that the presentation of the scrapbook will be October 11th. Photos are still needed for the project. Ms. Bonfanti reported that funds are needed to put the scrapbook together and asked the Commission for assistance with this project.
V. Quality of Living in Ridgefield and Redding
Bill Wyman, from the Ridgefield VNA, gave a brief presentation of the Aging in Place Initiative concept, just being developed by the RVNA. This program gives seniors information about ways to avoid assisted living by providing health in their homes through a fee base. Mr. Crocker said that this is a concept in progress and the RVNA was interested in the Commission’s feedback to see if a partnership with Redding would be possible.
The presentation described the RVNA and its associated services and its Quality Living at Home program, including a fee structure. Goals include raising awareness and simplifying the process of getting quality health care for seniors that choose to remain at home.
The Commission will take a closer look at what the program offers and what Redding needs and can offer to the program.
The next COA meeting is scheduled for October 1, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.
Submitted by vak 9/4/2008
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