Regular Meeting
January 8, 2007
Present: Philip Mountain
Beverly DeFord
Jane Powers
Mary Broga
Also Present: Cathy Wilson, Senior Services Coordinator
Andy McKirdy, ex officio Board of Selectmen
Billie Staub
1. PRELIMINARY BUSINESS
Chairman Mountain called the Commission on Aging Regular Meeting of January 8, 2007 to order at 7:00 p.m.
a. Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge of Allegiance was observed.
MOTION: Mrs. DeFord moved to add to this evening’s
Agenda under New Business, f. Board of
Education Community Conversation.
Seconded by Mrs. Powers. (4-0) Unanimous.
b. Delegations. Billie Staub was present.
c. Approval of Meeting Minutes – November 13, 2006. Mr. Mountain asked for additions, deletions or corrections to the Commission on Aging Regular Meeting Minutes of November 13, 2006.
MOTION: Mrs. Broga moved to accept the November
13, 2006 Commission on Aging Minutes,
as presented. Mrs. DeFord abstained from
voting. (3-0-1) Motion carried.
d. Correspondence. Correspondence was made available for review.
A memo was received from Beth Hogan, First Selectman, informing the Commission that the next Town Hall chat will be held on January 20 at 10 a.m. at the Town Hall.
e. Election of Officers. Mrs. Wilson asked for nominations for Chairman of the Commission on Aging for 2007.
MOTION: Mrs. Broga moved to nominate Philip
Mountain as Chairman of the Commission
on Aging for 2007. Seconded by
Mrs. Powers. (4-0) Unanimous.
There were no other nominations. A vote was taken, and Mr. Mountain was unanimously elected Chairman of the Commission on Aging for 2007.
Mrs. Wilson asked for nominations for Vice Chairman of the Commission on Aging for 2007.
MOTION: Mrs. DeFord moved to nominate Mary
Broga as Vice Chairman of the Commission
on Aging for 2007. Seconded by Mrs. Powers.
(4-0) Unanimous.
There were no other nominations, and Mrs. Broga was unanimously elected Vice Chairman of the Commission on Aging for 2007.
Mrs. Wilson asked for nominations for Secretary of the Commission on Aging for 2007.
MOTION: Mrs. DeFord moved to nominate Ilene Harris
as Secretary of the Commission on Aging
for 2007. Seconded by Mrs. Broga. (4-0)
Unanimous.
There were no other nominations for Secretary. A vote was taken, and Ilene Harris was unanimously elected Secretary of the Commission on Aging for 2007.
2. STATUS REPORT
a. Transportation. Ms. Wilson reported the bus needs its transmission replaced.
On January 29 her full time bus driver will go in for surgery. He is expected to be out for the month of February. The third week of February her part time drive will be on vacation for a week.
Andy McKirdy joined the meeting.
b. Senior Trips. Cathy Wilson reported she has received a Memo from Beth Hogan, First Selectman, who is asking that fuel consumption be reduced by 10%.
(1) Enrichment Trips. The following Enrichment trips have been planned for January:
On January 10 to the Manchester Buckland Hills Mall and Macaroni Grille.
On January 24 to Cherrystone’s Restaurant in Old Lyme.
(2) COA Sponsored Trips. The following trips have been planned for 2007:
March 13 to Venice de Milo for a cost of $48.
June 15 to Chez Josef for dinner and a show for a cost of $55.
August 7 for a Lobster bake at the Delaney House and show in Holyoke for a cost of $50.
October 4 to the Log Cabin for a show at a cost of $54.
MOTION: Mrs. Broga moved to accept the above trips
for 2007. Seconded by Mrs. Powers. (4-0)
Unanimous.
(3) Day/Overnight Trips.
A no fly Caribbean cruise is planned to Charleston, South Carolina from January 11 through January 21, 2007.
April 29 to April 30, 2007 a trip is planned to Philadelphia to see the Golden Treasures of King Tut. This trip includes the ride to Philadelphia, an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Select, and admission to the King Tut exhibit. The cost ranges from $219 to $269.
On January 25 there will be an information session for a Hawaiian Cruise in October.
February 2-5 a trip is planned to Quebec City for Carnivale.
c. Programs.
(1) Senior Nutrition Program. Mrs. Wilson reported the number of people taking advantage of the Senior Nutrition Program and Meals-on-Wheels is declining.
(2) Senior Center Programs – Ongoing. Cathy Wilson stated she received notice from the State of Connecticut, Division of Special Revenue, informing her that they passed regulations to increase the amount of money that may be given out at bingo from $5 to $20.
Ms. Wilson reported her instructor for the Monday and Wednesday Fitness Class resigned. She will advertise the position. The Fitness Class only meets on Fridays.
(3) Senior Programs – New. The Loss Over 60 Support Group will begin January 18 for six weeks from 10:30 a.m. to noon. This support group is run by Hospice.
A quilting group will meet on the first Friday of every month at 5 p.m. It will run like a quilting bee. Each participant will bring their own supplies. A beginner Quilting Class will start on February 8. Janet Bucko will lead these groups.
Painting classes will begin on January 22 and continue through March. Mrs. Mountain will teach the classes.
Tax appointments will begin in February on Friday mornings and continue through April. Federal returns will be prepared on the computer. This program is sponsored by AARP.
d. Budget. The Commission on Aging budget is doing fine.
e. Revenues. Cathy Wilson stated revenues are doing well.
3. OLD BUSINESS
a. Handicap Parking at East Lyme High School. Mrs. Wilson reported she has received a Memo stating the handicapped parking project at East Lyme High School will begin in March of 2007.
b. Renovation of Senior Center Office. Cathy Wilson stated she expects to have drawings on renovation of the Senior Center Office by next week.
c. Fundraiser Utilizing Cell Phone. Cathy Wilson reported she will discontinue this fundraiser, because the Lions are working on it.
d. Other Pertinent Business. Jane Powers reported Ed Shapiro, Chairman of the Economic Development Commission, attended tonight’s Pool Commission meeting and requested a therapeutic pool. The Pool Commission will place it and a Fitness Room on its next Agenda.
4. NEW BUSINESS
a. Letter from Interested Party Regarding Commission Opening. Cathy Wilson reported she has received letters of interest to be a member of this Commission from five individuals. The Board of Selectmen would like this Commission to make a recommendation to them. There was a general consensus of the Commission that those who have expressed interest in becoming a member of the Commission should be interviewed. Mr. McKirdy felt interviews should be held at the Senior Center so that those interested could see the Senior Center in operation.
b. Request for a Ride From Person Under 55. Cathy Wilson reported the Lions have agreed to help this individual with transportation.
c. Schedule for 2007 Meetings. Commission members received letter to the Town Clerk, regarding meeting dates for the Commission on Aging for 2007.
d. Budget Request for FY 07/08. Cathy Wilson reviewed the budget request for Fiscal year 2007-2008 with the Commission. She has received a Memo from First Selectman Beth Hogan requesting no increase to the budget.
MOTION: Mrs. DeFord moved to submit the proposed
budget request for the Commission on Aging
for Fiscal Year 2007-2008 in the amount of
$207,845. Seconded by Mrs. Broga. (4-0)
Unanimous.
e. Annual Report Review. Commission members reviewed the Commission on Aging Annual Report.
f. Board of Education Community Conversation. Mrs. Wilson reported the Board of Education will host a Community Conversation to discuss bullying, aggression and hate crimes. They are requesting that the Senior Center provide transportation, if needed, on March 3. They have agreed to pay the driver.
MOTION: Mrs. Broga moved to authorize Cathy Wilson
to allow a senior vehicle to be used on
March 3, if needed. Seconded by Mrs. DeFord.
(4-0) Unanimous.
g. Other Pertinent Business. There was no discussion of other pertinent business.
5. PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Billie Staub asked why the Commission needed a Republican or an independent to replace Russell Beckwith. She was informed there needed to be political balance on the Commission.
6. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Mary Broga moved to adjourn the January 8,
2007 Commission on Aging Regular Meeting at
8:10 p.m. Seconded by Mrs. DeFord. (4-0)
Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted
Frances Ghersi, Recording Secretary