EAST LYME COMMISSION ON AGING

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, APRIL 14th, 2008

Present:                        Philip Mountain, Chairman, Mary Broga, Secretary, Carrie Janus,

                                    Donna Palumbo, Marge Caste

Also Present:                Cathy Wilson, Senior Services Coordinator

Absent:                        Ilene Harris, Jane Powers

1.  PRELIMINARY BUSINESS

Chairman Mountain called the Commission on Aging Special Meeting of April 14, 2008 to order at 7:00 PM.

a.  Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge was observed.

b.  Delegations

There were no delegations.     

c.  Approval of Meeting Minutes – March 10, 2008

Mr. Mountain called for any additions, deletions or corrections to the Commission on Aging Regular Meeting Minutes of March 10, 2008.

The following corrections were requested:

Page 3 under b. Senior Trips; (1) Enrichment Trips – Please add the following omission: ‘An enrichment trip scheduled to the Grasso Tech School for lunch on 4/23/08 for $10.50’.

Page 3 under c. Programs; (2) Senior Center Programs – Ongoing – change: “Ms. Wilson plans to offer more AARP Mature Driver safety classes to help Waterford with its parking problem.” to read:

‘Ms. Wilson plans to offer more AARP Mature Driver Safety classes because Waterford is no longer able to host them due to their parking constraints.

Page 4 under 3. Old Business, c. Creating an Endowment Fund –change: “The Community Foundation would make a yearly distribution of 46%.” to read: ‘The Community Foundation would make a yearly distribution of 4.6%.’

**MOTION (1)

Ms. Broga moved to accept the March 10, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes of the Commission on Aging, as amended.

Ms. Caste seconded the motion.

VOTE:  5 – 0 – 0.  Motion passed.

d.  Correspondence

Ms. Wilson made the correspondence available for review.

2.    STATUS REPORT

a.       Transportation

Ms. Wilson reported that the Dial-a-Ride Medical Grant Transportation has exceeded expectations and is now in trouble of spending all the money before the end of its fiscal year. The biggest problem is the people who require repeated rides for dialysis, therapy, etc. There are a few riders who receive services two (2) to three (3) times per week and that is costing the program about 55% of the allotted money. There are discussions currently being had about ways to curtail the amount of monthly spending. More details will be forthcoming.

Ms. Wilson reported that both vehicles are going in for their quarterly maintenance and that no major problems are expected.

b.  Senior Trips

(1)     Enrichment Trips – Ms. Wilson reported that the following Enrichment Trips are planned:

      May 14, 2008 – to Lenny & Joe’s for lunch with shopping after at the Westbrook Shops for a cost of       $2.75

      May 28, 2008 – trip to the Christmas Tree Shops in Manchester for a cost of $2.25

      November 28, 2007 – a shopping trip to the Evergreen Walk Mall in South Windsor for a cost of        $3.25

(2)     COA Sponsored Trips - Ms. Wilson reported that the following COA Sponsored Trip is planned: June 19, 2008 – to the Newport Playhouse to see “Over the River and Through the Woods” for a cost of $64.00.

(3)     Day/Overnight Trips – Ms. Wilson reported that the following Day/Overnight Trip is scheduled: August 3, 2008 – to Tanglewood to hear the Boston Symphony Orchestra for a cost of $96.00.

c.  Programs

(1)     Senior Nutrition Program – Ms. Wilson reported that the new TVCCA Site Server, Jan Larson is working out very well. The new food program has been well received and continues to garner good reviews. However; the counts for the program have remained constant.

            Ms. Caste suggested that an article placed in the Lyme Tymes might help to publicize the program and    increase the counts.

(2)     Senior Center Programs - Ongoing – Ms. Wilson reported that all programs are doing fine.

(3)     Senior Center Programs - New – Ms. Wilson reported that the Senior Center will offer programs to help people cope with a the high cost of foods. Also, CVS is reaching out to the community and two (2) programs in May will be provided at the Senior Center.

Ms. Wilson also reported that the East Lyme Police Benevolent Association is renting a bulk shredder on Saturday, May 3, 2008 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon for the community to dispose of any sensitive documents. This will be located in the Community Center parking lot.       

d.  Budget

Ms. Wilson reported that she has been making some transfers within the budget to pay for the trips. The budget looks good to make it to the end of the fiscal year without any problems. She also reported that the two (2) day trips scheduled for June will not go through the budget. Instead, the participants will make the checks out directly to the travel companies.

e.  Revenues

Ms. Wilson reported that the revenues are on track for this fiscal year.

3.  OLD BUSINESS

a.       Renovation of Senior Center Office

Ms. Wilson reported that she had spoken with First Selectman, Paul Formica the previous week about the office renovation project. He is hopeful that it can be completed in the current fiscal year.

b.      Budget Request 08/09

Ms. Wilson thanked Mr. Mountain, Ms. Broga and Ilene Harris for attending the Board of Finance meeting for the budget presentation with her. She said that it went well and that it appeared to be well received.

c.       Creating an Endowment Fund

Ms. Wilson explained that the reason why she brought up the creation of an endowment fund was for the purpose of creating an alternate revenue stream. Currently, the Parahus account earns about 1% which generates an income of $150 to $250 per year. An endowment fund could increase that number.

Discussion followed about the feasibility of creating such a fund with the limited amount of money that could be devoted to it. It was generally agreed that it was a good idea but not practical at this time because of the limited resources in the Parahus account.

d.      Volunteer Recognition Dinner

Ms. Wilson reported that the Volunteer Recognition Dinner would be held on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 6:00 PM.

e.       Celebrate 90+ Party

Ms. Wilson said that this would be held on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 2:00 PM.

f.        Other Pertinent Business

There was no discussion of other pertinent business.

4.       NEW BUSINESS

a.       Community Foundation Grant

Ms. Wilson reported that the grant that the East Lyme Senior Center and Waterford Senior Services requested from the Community Foundation had been partially funded. The original request was for a little less than $12,000 and the grant received $5000. She said that she is working with Sally Ritchie to adjust their grant to reflect the funding that was received.

b.      D.S.S. Grants (2)

Ms. Wilson said that she applied for two (2) grants from the Department of Social Services and has received initial approval. However; the grant source increased the amount of money available so an adjustment had to be made. She said that she has not received any work on the decision yet.

c.       Recognition of Retired COA Member

Ms. Broga suggested that they table discussion of this item until the next meeting as Ms. DeFord is away and they cannot make any plans until she is available.

d.      Other Pertinent Business

Ms. Wilson reminded the Commission that the next meeting falls on the same day as the Annual Town Meeting (May 12, 2008) and that Mr. Formica has requested that Department Heads attend this meeting as the budget will be up for discussion and vote.

After discussion, it was felt that the May meeting should start at 6:30 PM and that Ms. Wilson would see if there is a room that is available at the East Lyme High School for them to hold their meeting there.

Ms. Wilson reported that the Lions Club had approached her about using a vehicle during their annual Lobster Fest to taxi people back and forth. There was discussion about who would drive, who would pay the driver, etc. It was determined that the driver would be an appropriately licensed Town employee and that the Lions Club would pay for the gas used that day as well as the driver’s salary.

**MOTION (2)

Ms. Broga moved to allow the Lions Club to use a Senior Center vehicle for transportation purposes during the Lions Club Lobster Fest.

Ms. Palumbo seconded the motion.

VOTE:  5 – 0 – 0.  Motion passed.

5.  PUBLIC DISCUSSION

There was no public discussion.

6.       ADJOURNMENT

**MOTION (3)

Ms. Janus moved to adjourn the Commission on Aging Regular Meeting of April 14, 2008 at 8:15 PM.

Ms. Caste seconded the motion.

VOTE:  5 – 0 - 0.  Motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Zmitruk,

Recording Secretary, Pro-tem