EAST LYME COMMISSION ON AGING

SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, MAY 12th, 2008

Present:                        Mary Broga, Acting Chairman, Carrie Janus, Ilene Harris,

                                    Donna Palumbo, Marge Caste

Also Present:                Cathy Wilson, Senior Services Coordinator

                                    Rose Ann Hardy, Board of Selectmen, Ex-Officio

Absent:                        Philip Mountain, Jane Powers

1.  PRELIMINARY BUSINESS

Acting Chairman Broga called the Commission on Aging Special Meeting of May 12, 2008 to order at 5:40 PM.

a.  Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge was observed.

b.  Delegations

There were no delegations.    

c.  Approval of Meeting Minutes – April 14, 2008

Ms. Broga called for any additions, deletions or corrections to the Commission on Aging Regular Meeting Minutes of April 14, 2008.

**MOTION (1)

Ms. Harris moved to accept the April 14, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes of the Commission on Aging as presented.

Ms. Janus seconded the motion.

VOTE:  5 – 0 – 0.  Motion passed.

d.  Correspondence

Ms. Wilson made the following correspondence available for review:

The Connecticut Commission on Aging Annual Report and also a survey on the property tax relief programs that are available in each Town.

2.    STATUS REPORT

a.       Transportation

Ms. Wilson reported that the bus was down and in last week unexpectedly for brake issues and that the repairs were taken care of at the Town garage. They were able to use the Youth Services vehicle which helped a great deal. She noted that she sent a memo to Mr. Formica indicating that this was a help. Both the vehicles and drivers are back on the road.

Ms. Wilson said that she had also looked into the Estuary Council and SEAT combo for bus service from AHEPA and found that it goes to AHEPA some 4 to 5 times per day about two hours apart and that while there is somewhat of a lengthy ride; it does allow these people to get to downtown Niantic, New London or to Old Saybrook for shopping or other purposes. She noted that the only thing missing in Niantic at the Hope Street stop is a shelter and that she would speak with someone at Town Hall about this as the Hope Street residents may also want to utilize this transportation and a bench type of shelter for the bus stop would be nice. This may also be something that the 38 Hope Street developer may want to donate and place there for the residents of 38 Hope Street and the Town.

b.  Senior Trips

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

      June 11, 2008 – to Alice Acres in Gales Ferry for flowers and plants with lunch on your own for a cost of $2.75

      June 25, 2008 – trip to the Godspeed Opera House for a backstage tour for a cost of $9

(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. She noted that this is a great trip however sign-ups have been low so far.

(3)  Day/Overnight Trips – Ms. Wilson reported that the following Day/Overnight Trip is scheduled:

May 13, 2008 – to Chinatown – shared with Waterford and the trip is full.

       May 19, 2008 – to Springfield MA to see the Royal Highland for a cost of $75

       May 27, 2008 – to Mohegan Sun and the Mystic Theater for a cost of $45                

      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 just delightful and that they are seeing new people coming through. They will see if they will stay and will be watching this. It was also noted that the mileage reimbursement rate is 50.5¢ per mile.

            Ms. Hardy asked what Ms. Wilson meant by ‘stay’ – for activities or come back for lunch over again.

            Ms. Wilson said that they were looking to see if they keep returning for the lunch program.

            Ms. Harris asked if this new food service offers sandwiches and other things.

            Ms. Wilson said not yet; they are still serving hot meals however they are looking to work ‘outside the box’ with salads and perhaps sandwiches.

(2)     Senior Center Programs - Ongoing – Ms. Wilson reported that all programs are doing fine and that the 55 Alive classes have filled up quickly and constantly each month that they are offered – and they are being offered more. She noted that Waterford does not offer these classes any longer.

(3)     Senior Center Programs - New – Ms. Wilson reported that CVS will be coming in this month with the ‘Pack your Bag’ program where they will speak to people regarding their medications and explain everything that they would need to know and answer any questions that they might have. She noted that only a few people have signed up for this and that she had thought that there would be more interest.

Ms. Wilson also reported that there would be some hikes in June on the 9th and 23rd led by Carl Stamm; Beach Yoga also starts in June and will run for eight (8) weeks and golf will start up again in June on Mondays at 9 AM at Cedar Ridge. She noted that this program pretty much takes care of itself and that some of the participants have already been meeting with the good weather that we have had.                 

d.  Budget

Ms. Wilson reported that she will be doing some budget transfers and that the budget should be fine to finish out the year. She also noted that the two (2) day trips scheduled for June are not going through the budget. Instead, the participants are making the checks out directly to the travel companies.

e.  Revenues

Ms. Wilson reported that the revenues are doing fine and 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 on this and that they should have a better idea on it when they are closer to the end of the year and know what type of money there is that might be available for this project.

b.      Budget Request 08/09

Ms. Wilson said that there is a Town Meeting this evening at 7 PM on the budget and that staff will be there in the event that there are questions that they might have to answer. She also noted that the budget is going to referendum vote on May 23, 2008 from 6 AM to 8 PM.

c.       Celebrate 90+ Party

Ms. Wilson said that this would be held on this Friday, May 16, 2008 at 2:00 PM. She said that she has 28 people coming so far and that three (3) of them from Bridebrook are 100 or 101 years old. She said that with the guests that they are allowed to bring that she expects some 70-75 people in attendance. This event may need to move into the bigger activity room in the future as it is popular and is getting crowded. She said that Bridebrook provides the tea sandwiches and desserts and that Crescent Point provides the pictures and flowers. The theme for this year is a presidential one since it is an election year. She asked people which president they most remember and FDR received the most votes.

d.      Recognition of Retired COA Member

Ms. Wilson recalled that they were waiting for Ms. DeFord to return.

Ms. Janus said that any night except for Fridays was good.

Ms. Broga said that she would think of something.

Ms. Harris suggested that they go to Frank’s for lunch as it is a nice place and they are accommodating for parties of people meeting there.

After further discussion it was tentatively set for June 25, 2008 for lunch at Frank’s with the details to follow at the next meeting of the Commission in June.

e.       Other Pertinent Business

There was no discussion of other pertinent business.

4.       NEW BUSINESS

a.       Job Description for Possible New Position

Ms. Wilson reported that they were working on a job description and that she felt that the hours would come to 17.5 per week – 8:30 AM to 12 Noon each day and that the budget for 19.5 hours would give here some flexibility in the event that she needed this person to stay later at certain times. She said that she originally was looking for a Public Service License or for the person to get one however it is such a part time position that it really is not necessary.

Ms. Hardy noted that the budget process is not yet over and that this position may not be funded.

Ms. Wilson said that she is already aware of this that is why it is tentative in nature. She said that she would really like to see this type of position go to a senior who is in need of some income to help offset the rising cost of the utility and other bills and that she would look into that. She said that depending upon what happens with the budget that if she has to make a choice on what she could have that she would like to see the office renovation go through and be done as that would aid greatly in how the office runs and the type of service that they provide along with the level of confidentiality that they could offer people.

b.      Other Pertinent Business

Ms. Harris complimented Ms. Wilson on the Volunteer Appreciation dinner that she had held in late April, noting that the food and entertainment was wonderful.

Ms. Wilson said that she had help from Ms. Larson, TVCCA and two wonderful volunteer cooks, Joe and Rita who moved here from Long Island and who love to cook and create some truly tremendous meals. She said that  she is fortunate that she has so many wonderful volunteers.

Ms. Janus asked about the price of gas and how they budget for it as it keeps going up and what they used as a figure for their budget was not what the cost is today.

Ms. Wilson said that she does not budget for fuel and that part is included in a larger fuel budget for the Town.

Ms. Hardy said that they have a contingency fund to cover this and that fuel for the senior center is part of a larger fuel account.

Ms. Harris said that she has read the other senior center offerings in the area in the Post Road Review and commended Ms. Wilson in that East Lyme’s is more comprehensive and has better and more detailed offerings.

5.  PUBLIC DISCUSSION

There was no public discussion.

6.       ADJOURNMENT

**MOTION (2)

Ms. Janus moved to adjourn the Commission on Aging Special Meeting of May 12, 2008 at 6:40 PM.

Ms. Broga seconded the motion.

VOTE:  5 – 0 - 0.  Motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Zmitruk,

Recording Secretary, Pro-tem