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Commission on Aging Regular Meeting March 10, 2008
Present: Philip Mountain Mary Broga Carrie Janus Donna Palumbo
Also Present: Cathy Wilson, Senior Services Coordinator Rose Ann Hardy Alison Woods, of Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut
1. PRELIMINARY BUSINESS
Chairman Mountain called the Commission on Aging Regular Meeting of March 10, 2008 to order at 7:00 p.m.
a. Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge of Allegiance was observed.
b. Delegations. Alison Woods distributed information from the Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut on the non-profit endowment initiative for organizations serving and enriching the communities of Southeastern Connecticut, its newsletter and Annual Report.
Cathy Wilson stated there is $15,000 in the Parahus Account, and she felt it would be useful to discuss ways to increase its earnings.
Ms. Woods gave the history of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut. It invests its funds and uses a percentage of the interest generated from investing to offer scholarships. It also gives grants to non-profits.
It has 28 organizations participating in it. This program is about building for the long term.
It has a matching program. If you transfer existing funds you receive a 5% match. Any new money would be matched by 10%. This will be done through December of 2008.
Donna Palumbo felt most individuals prefer to leave their money locally. She felt it was important to publicize it.
Ms. Woods stated all members of the Community Foundation Board are from the eleven towns we serve.
Commission members were asked to review the information received from Ms. Woods and decide whether or not this Commission wishes to participate in this program.
c. Approval of Meeting Minutes – February 11, 2008. Mr. Mountain asked for additions, deletions or corrections to the Commission on Aging Regular Meeting Minutes of February 11, 2008.
The following corrections were noted: On page 3, the fifth paragraph and first sentence of the ninth paragraph under item (3) to be revised as follows:
“On February 24 through March 6 Hospice will sponsor a Loss Group.”
“Waterford Senior Center and East Lyme Senior centers are working with the Community Foundation on a grant to train an instructor to teach seniors at senior housing regarding falls.”
MOTION: Mary Broga moved to accept the February 11, 2008 Commission on Aging Minutes, as amended. Seconded by Donna Palumbo. Carrie Janus abstained from voting. (3-0-1) Motion carried.
d. Correspondence. Correspondence was made available for review.
2. STATUS REPORT
a. Transportation. Cathy Wilson reported the Senior Center bus is currently being serviced. New tires were purchased, and it was found that its alignment needs to be corrected.
The Estuary Transportation District picks up individuals wishing transportation from AHEPHA, takes them to Hope Street where they are transferred to a SEAT bus.
Cathy Wilson has had discussions with Mr. Mitchell regarding the possibility of a vehicle to transport individuals who live at AHEPHA.
Ms. Wilson reported her part time driver averages twelve hours per week. If there is a trip he works fourteen hours.
b. Senior Trips.
(1) Enrichment Trips. The following Enrichment trips are planned: March 12 for the Bodies Revealed Exhibit in Hartford, March 26 to Old Tymes Restaurant in Norwich and on April 9 to the Crystal Mall Christmas Tree Shop, with lunch at the Olive Garden.
(2) COA Sponsored Trips. The following COA sponsored trips are planned: March 19 to John J. Sullivan’s banquet facility in Ansonia for dinner and to see Cahal Dunne with Irish singing and piano playing; on June 19 to the Newport Playhouse to see “Over the River and Through the Woods”.
(3) Day/Overnight Trips. The following Day/Overnight trips are planned: From May 1 to May 4 a trip to Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland and August 17-24 for a Bermuda cruise. The following day trips are planned: On April 9 to New York City on your own, April 27 to the Thomaston Opera House to see “Annie Get Your Gun” and May 13 to Chinatown in New York, on May 19 to Springfield, Massachusetts for a performance by the Royal Highland Regiment of Canada, May 27 for a Cornerstone Production at Mystic and a trip to Mohegan Sun, June 17 to Sag Harbor and June 27 to Historic Boston.
c. Programs.
(1) Senior Nutrition Program. Our new Site Manager Janet Larson will begin on Friday. There has been a change in providers. Positive comments have been received.
(2) Senior Center Programs-Ongoing. All programs are doing fine. Afternoon Fitness and Yoga classes have been added. Ms. Wilson plans to offer more AARP Mature Driver Safety classes to help Waterford with its parking problem.
(3) Senior Center Programs – New. On March 14 a dance will be held at the Senior Center.
A St. Patrick’s Day dinner will be held on March 20 at 6 p.m. for a cost of $6.
A six week Beginner Chinese Watercolor class will be held on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Another Hospice supported loss group will begin. Beginner bridge will be held on Thursday April 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and run for six weeks. P.A.C.E. will begin during the week of April 7 for a twelve week session. A program on how to stretch your food dollars will be held. Joseph Mingo will show how to start a vegetable garden. Food stamps will also be discussed. The Police Benevolent Association will discuss identify theft.
d. Budget. There will be a shortfall in both trip accounts because more trips are being offered.
c. Revenues. Cathy Wilson stated revenues are doing fine.
3. OLD BUSINESS
a. Renovation of Senior Center Office. There was nothing new to report on renovation of the Senior Center.
b. Budget Request 2008/2009. Cathy Wilson will inform Commission members of the date, time and place of the Board of Finance Budget Hearing for the Commission on Aging.
c. Creating an Endowment Fund. The Commission was informed that $10,000 is the minimum amount the Community Foundation will accept to be part of its program. The Community Foundation would make a yearly distribution of 46%. Carrie Janus suggested investigating other options, possibly where $10,000 is not needed.
d. Other Pertinent Business. There was no discussion of other pertinent business.
4. NEW BUSINESS
a. New COA Member. Carrie Janus was welcomed as a new member of the Commission.
b. Volunteer Dinner. Cathy Wilson asked for suggestions on how to recognize volunteers in April.
c. Two Grant Opportunities from D.S.S. Cathy Wilson reported senior center directors received e-mails on two grant opportunities through the Department of Social Services. There is up to $3,000 which senior centers can apply for.
Sally Ritchie and Cathy Wilson approached the Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut about a fall prevention program. This program will train instructors, and they would teach volunteers a balance training course which could be offered at the Senior Center and housing sites.
There is also a Case Management Grant for those individuals 60 and over. Ms. Wilson would like to apply for a lap top computer to assist clients on Meals-on-Wheels with a benefits checkup and let them know what programs they may be eligible for. Donna Palumbo felt this is a great benefit for individuals who need help to navigate through the information.
d. Celebrate 90+ Ms. Wilson would like to recognize residents who are ninety years or older.
e. Other Pertinent Business. Ms. Wilson reported she will be on vacation the last week in March.
The First Selectman has asked department heads to be available on May 12 at the Annual Town Meeting for questions from residents. It was felt that the May Commission meeting should be held at 6:30 p.m.
Ms. Wilson suggested honoring Beverly DeFord for her years of service on the Commission. There was a general consensus to take her out to dinner some time in May.
5. PUBLIC DISCUSSION
There was no public discussion.
6. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Mary Broga moved to adjourn the March 10, 2008 Commission on Aging Regular Meeting at 8:30 p.m. Seconded by Donna Palumbo. (4-0) Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted
Frances Ghersi, Recording Secretary
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