RECEIVED JANUARY 11, 2010 @ 11:32 A.M.
Michele R. Grande, Redding Town Clerk
2 pages
TOWN OF REDDING
COMMISSION ON AGING
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2010
9:00 a.m.
HERITAGE CENTER
Commissioners Present: Alternates Present:
Rosalind Kopfstein, Chairman Lore Handy
Janet Cianci Henry Polio
Sam Crocker
Florence Hayes
Janet Metzger
Bill Morris
Alice Pardee
Sharon Rehme
Jean Whitham
Staff: Gail Schiron, Marie Sibilio
Also present: Natalie Ketcham, First Selectman Ex-Officio member
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m.
I. Approval of Minutes from December 2, 2009
The minutes were reviewed and unanimously approved as submitted.
II. Reports
Ms. Schiron presented the Municipal Agent’s Report to the Commission. The Share The Warmth Fund is growing through generous donations from residents. A future project is to reach out to senior residents in town to make sure they have adequate services and are living in safe conditions. The Budget Workshop is January 23rd.
Ms. Sibilio presented the Heritage Center Report to the Commission. There were 541 van trips in December for a total of 1,390 miles.
The Commission discussed the need of meal cards for the holiday meals vs. weekly luncheons and the sponsorship of the holiday meals. Mr. Morris made the motion that the Commission on Aging and the Heritage Center sponsor the holiday meals along with the Mothers and Daughters group. Ms. Metzger seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Whitham gave a brief update from the Program Subcommittee and the petition to reduce fees for class attendance and the age requirement to 50. The subcommittee consists of Ms. Whitham, Mr. Morris, Ms. Rehme, Ms. Hayes, Ms. Schiron and Ms. Sibilio. After reviewing program components including instructor fees, average attendance and revenue, it was concluded that many programs were losing money each week, except for the aerobics classes. The following recommendations were made:
1) The fee should remain at $5 per class
2) Eligibility for senior discounts of half the fees for the Heritage Center and Park and Recreation programs should remain at 60 years
3) Classes with 3 or fewer participants are not sustainable and should be canceled unless the class has special circumstances, such as Seniorcise.
The subcommittee also discussed volunteer/intern instructors and more free programs.
After discussion, the above three (3) recommendations were made by the Commission as a formal proposal on policy. The Commission then discussed drafting a response to the petition, which will be sent to the authors. Ms. Kopfstein suggested that the subcommittee work towards promoting programs and new program ideas. The Commission also discussed the newsletter, and the possibility of making it available on the internet and by mail.
Ms. Metzger and Ms. Rehme spoke with Chris Lynch, who is involved with the non-profit part of Gilbert and Bennett. Mr. Lynch was looking for information from past meetings; he will meet with Ms. Metzger to follow up.
Sam Crocker gave a brief update on the Quality Living at Home in Redding and Ridgefield Program (QLAH). The subcommittee met on December 11th and will meet again after this COA meeting, at the Heritage Center. Ms. Rehme also attended the meeting and said that she was very impressed with those individuals working on the program in Ridgefield, and the sub-committee made suggestions to them as to town agencies and individuals who can be contacted to begin incorporating the program in Redding. A March 18th seminar is planned on the cost of aging will be held at the Heritage Center. Topics will also include a broader presentation of the program’s details.
III. New Business
There was no new business to discuss.
IV. Adjournment
The next COA meeting is scheduled for February 3, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m.
Submitted by vak 1/9/10
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