RECEIVED FEBRUARY 11, 2009 @ 8:30 A.M.
Michele R. Grande, Redding Town Clerk
2 pages
TOWN OF REDDING
COMMISSION ON AGING
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2009
9:00 a.m.
HERITAGE CENTER
Commissioners Present: Alternates Present:
Rosalind Kopfstein, Chairman Janet Cianci
Jack Froehlich
Florence Hayes
Bill Morris
Alice Pardee
Sharon Rehme
Jean Whitham
Staff: Gail Schiron, Marie Sibilio
The meeting was called to order at 9:02 a.m.
I. Approval of Minutes from January 7, 2009
Page 1, Municipal Agents Report, it will be noted that “to date, $2,700 has been received in donations for the Share The Warmth Program.”; some minor typographical and punctuation revisions were done.
The minutes were approved as amended.
II. Reports
Ms. Kopfstein reported that she was asked by the Jonathan Rose Company to send a letter to the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, so that the affordable senior housing, to be referred to as Wire Mill Residences, may receive funding from the State of Connecticut.
Ms. Sibilio presented the Heritage Center Report to the Commission.
Van trips for January totaled 163 trips and 1,444 miles traveled. Ms. Sibilio reported that the van is booked and filled nearly every day. Bad weather has affected attendance for programming.
Ms. Whitham gave an update on the Sub-committee on programming. Ms. Whitham met with Ms. Rehme, Ms. Metzger, Mr. Morris, Ms. Schiron and Ms. Sibilio and discussed priorities of the Heritage Center. The outcome was that the transportation services and meal programs offered are the most vital part of the Center’s services. A thorough review of the meal program as to menu’s, atmosphere, etc. is planned.
Ms. Whitham asked that each Commission member speak to five people in regard to what their interests are in programming and their general impression of the center. Feedback would be reported back to Ms. Sibilio by February 19th. At that point, results will be reviewed by the full Committee. The Commission discussed ways to generate interest in programming and improve attendance.
Ms. Schiron presented the Municipal Agent’s Report to the Commission. Ms. Schiron briefly discussed budget items. Heritage Center newsletter highlights will now be made available on the Town website. The Commission discussed ways to lessen the cost of the newsletter.
Upon motion of Mr. Morris and second of Ms. Rehme to decrease the number of newsletter mailings from six to four times per year for an approximate savings of $1,000, there followed discussion.
Mr. Froehlich suggested making a proposal to decrease the number of mailings.
Ms. Whitham suggested working on short term program notices via website and/or email notification.
Ms. Kopfstein pointed out that refinement of the mailing list could help cut down on the number of unnecessary mailings.
The Commission voted 4-2-1, and the motion carried. The Heritage Center newsletter will be mailed four times per year. This is done as an attempt at budget savings.
As part of the budget discussion, it was noted that a suggestion was made to cancel the luncheon program and eliminate the associated salary costs. The Commission would like to evaluate the costs of the meal program and the alternatives involved in decreasing or changes in the program, and strongly opposed cancellation of the program.
III. New Business
Ms. Whitham reported that on behalf of the COA, she received a thank you letter from Heather Morgan, Director of the Mark Twain Library, thanking the Commission for their contribution of the book, “Pages Turned”. The original book is at the Heritage Center and can be viewed by anyone.
The next COA meeting is scheduled for March 4, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 10:44 a.m.
Submitted by vak 2/4/2009
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