Mansfield Commission on Aging Minutes (DRAFT)

 

   2:30 PM – Senior Center            Monday, June 12, 2006

 

Present: K. Grunwald (staff), S. Thomas (Chair), W. Bigl, M. Thatcher, T. Quinn, B. Acebo, P. Hope (staff), C. Phillips, K. Doeg, J. Kenny (staff), S. Gordon, C. McMillan, J. Brubacher

Regrets: E. Norris, D. Mercier

 

I.       Call to Order  - Chair S. Thomas called the meeting to order at 2:33 PM.

 

II.    Appointment of Recording Secretary: K. Grunwald agreed to take minutes for the meeting.

 

III.  Acceptance of Minutes:  the minutes of the May 8, 2006 meeting were accepted as written, with the correction that the legislation licensing homecare providers did pass. (J. Kenny’s report).

 

IV. Correspondence – Chair and Staff: none.

 

V.    Optional Reports on Services/Needs of Town Aging Populations

A.    Health Care Services

Wellness Center and Wellness Program – J. Kenny distributed copies of her monthly report.  The M-Team is working to educate seniors on how to hire home healthcare workers, consistent with the new legislation.

Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation – J. Kenny did not attend their board meeting, but was told that there will be more marketing done to explain the ownership and management structure of Good Samaritan, which operates MCNR and Juniper Hill.  K. Doeg raised a question about their relationship with Glen Ridge changing once the last unit is completed.  There was no clarification on this.  Robert Kremer is the new Administrator of Glen Ridge.   

 

B.    Social, Recreational and Educational

Senior Center – P. Hope distributed copies of her monthly report.  Participation is up in the meals programs.  The plan is for TVCCA to begin cooking the noon meals here at the Senior Center in September.  A final Medicare Part D presentation was done prior to the deadline for enrollment.   Patty mentioned that the construction on Maple Rd. has had an impact on attendance at the Center.  Two new aerobic classes will be added through an arrangement with WellQuest.  The Senior Center will be closed the third week in July for maintenance; Meals On Wheels will be delivered Tues, Wed. and Thurs.  Holiday meals will be delivered on Mon. and Fri.   K. Grunwald reported on the status of the new transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities.  There were several suggestions for how to publicize this.        

Senior Center Assoc. – J. Brubacher mentioned that they are still waiting for the shed to be delivered.  The Chorus is in the middle of their Spring concert tour.  The Annual Association Banquet is 6/21 at Zenny’s.  The Association is still trying to get approval for a category of associate membership.

 

C.    Housing

              Assisted Living Project: no news.

              Juniper Hill: no report

Jensen’s Park: W. Bigl reported that residents have raised a question as to why there is not a senior membership rate at the Community Center?  S. Thomas reported that the Community Center needs to be self-supporting.  P. Hope reminded members of the Town’s fee waiver program.  M. Thatcher asked whether or not this issue should be posed to the Community Center?  S. Thomas felt that it should be based on income and not age.  K. Grunwald let members know that the Town Council establishes membership fees, and concerns could be directed to them.

  

D.    Related Town and Regional Organizations such as:

Advisory Committee on the Needs of Persons with Disabilities: K. Grunwald mentioned that the Committee has approached the Traffic Authority to review the number of accessible parking spaces at the Community Center.

Town Community Center: no report.

            Town Plan of Conservation and Development: no report.

            Senior Resources of Eastern CT: no report.

 

VI. Old Business

Distribution of The Survey  - K. Grunwald distributed the final version of the senior survey that will go to all registered voters age 55 and over.       

           

Report on Charter Revision Commission – T.Quinn reported that the Commission has been appointed and they have had their first organizational meeting.  The next meeting is scheduled on June 13.  His feeling is that many of the members are not entrenched in local politics.  The Town Manager has identified 18 issues in the charter for them to review.  This includes how the Town’s budget will be approved.  The committee will finish their work in a year, and their recommendations will then go to the Town Council.  S. Thomas suggested that this be added as a regular agenda item, and the members agreed to this.          

                      

VII. New Business: B. Acebo mentioned that much construction is going on at Juniper Hill, which is making it difficult for residents.  The general feeling is that the facility was not well-designed for seniors.  Concerns were raised about what type of Assisted Living facility will be built.  

 

VIII.  Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 3:55 PM.  The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 11, at 2:30 pm at the Senior Center

         

            Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Grunwald