Mansfield Commission on Aging Minutes
2:30 PM – Senior Center Monday, March 12, 2007
PRESENT: S. Thomas (Chair), K. Doeg, R. Gouldsborough, M. Thatcher, K. Randolph, C. Phillips, P. Hope (Staff), C. Pellegrine, J. Quarto, T. Quinn, K. Grunwald (Staff), J. Kenny (Staff), W. Bigl
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 Feb.12, 2007 meeting were accepted as written. W. Bigl clarified that the “breast cancer support group” referred to at Jensen’s is actually a presentation that will be done on April 18 at 3:00 PM. All are invited to attend, and this is not an ongoing event.
IV. Correspondence – Chair and Staff: S. Thomas distributed a pamphlet on library services to the homebound. P. Hope reported that this has been in existence for about a year and the Center helps to promote information about the program.
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 reports for January and February. Issues she identified are the need for assistance in the home and housing; also some questions about Medicare Part D. There are also concerns about local transportation for residents who don’t see Dial-A-Ride as being practical. There was some general discussion about transportation options that could conceivably meet those needs. There was also a suggestion that volunteers may be used to assist in meeting those transportation needs.
Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation – J. Kenny: no report.
B. Social, Recreational and Educational
Senior Center – P. Hope distributed copies of her monthly report. She reports that the popularity of the meal program has placed a strain on the infrastructure of the Senior Center; as the numbers of meals served has tripled. TVCCA is paying for additional hours for one of the kitchen staff.
Senior Center Assoc. – John Brubacher was not present. T. Quinn reported that the Association has passed a motion to appoint a committee to look at making the Mansfield Senior Center a regional center. The advantages would be to share resources with other Centers in the area. He also explained what would be included in the proposed geriatric services. C. Phillips asked about a brochure that she saw that will provide in-home geriatric services through the McSweeney Center. There is no charge for these services. It was pointed out that this may be a duplication of services, and it was noted that the Commission will continue to follow how this impacts the plans of the geriatric sub-committee.
C. Housing
Assisted Living Committee: S. Thomas reported that the Assisted/Independent Living Advisory Committee will have its first meeting on March 15 at 2:00. Wrights Way: no report; Juniper Hill: Bob Gouldsborough was in attendance as the representative of Juniper Hill. Jensen’s Park: W. Bigl reported that Jensen’s is “status quo.”
D. Related Town and Regional Organizations such as:
Advisory Committee on the Needs of Persons with Disabilites, Town Community Center, Conservation and Development: no reports.
Charter Revision: T. Quinn reported that the Commission is asking the Town Council for an extension to complete their work.;
Senior Resources of Eastern CT: no report.
VI. Old Business
Planning Public Forum(s) on Survey and Long Range Planning of the Commission: K. Grunwald distributed copies of a proposed agenda for the forum. The dates that had been agreed to are Saturday, April 21 at 9:00 AM and Thursday, May 3 at 7:00 PM. S. Thomas asked if these dates are still acceptable. There will need to be a sub-committee for the following tasks: determine the location of the event, publicity, logistics, and presentation content. There was significant discussion regarding the purpose of the forum, and whether or not it needs to be held. One suggestion made was to indicate how this information will be incorporated into the long-range plan. J. Quarto suggested that the survey results and recommendations be distilled to a one-page summary that could be posted in Sparks. T. Quinn moved that the public forum not be held, and this was seconded. C. Phillips pointed out that this had to do with the question of the value of holding the meetings. It was agreed unanimously not to hold the public forums. C. Pellegrine moved that the Commission create a concise summary of the survey data that can be distributed to the public, and J. Quarto asked that this include the conclusions of the survey and the recommended actions; how this will be incorporated into the long-range plan. K. Doeg raised the question of how we will disseminate the information. C. Pellegrine’s motion, as amended, was unanimously adopted. S. Thomas suggested that this be as broadly distributed as possible, and all members agreed that a sub-committee will be formed to recommend how this will be done. S. Thomas agreed to work on a writing sub-committee, and C. Phillips, J. Quarto, and B. Gouldsborough agreed to work on this as well. They will present a draft for the next meeting, which will be distributed with the minutes and agenda for the next meeting.
VII. New Business
C. Phillips distributed information on a request for volunteers for a study that is being done on how standing is affected by conditions around us.
IX. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:05 PM. Next meeting: Monday, April 9, 2007 at 2:30 pm at the Senior Center.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin Grunwald