Mansfield Commission on Aging Minutes

9:30 AM (please note change in meeting time– Senior Center

Monday, September 8, 2008

PRESENT: K.Grunwald (staff), M.Thatcher, Waldo Klein (guest), T. Quinn (Chair), M. Ross, B. Gouldsbrough, S. Gordon, C. Phillips, P. Hope (staff), A. Holinko, J. Kenny (staff), C. Pellegrine, Adrienne Marks (guest)

REGRETS: K. Doeg, J. Quarto

I. Call to Order: Chair T. Quinn called the meeting to order at 9:33 AM. He requested that the standard meeting time be changed to 9:30; no objections.

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

III. Acceptance of Minutes: The minutes of the June 9, 2008 meeting were accepted as written.

IV. Correspondence – Chair and Staff

V. New Business

- Presentation by Waldo Klein, State of CT Commission on Aging: Vice-Chair of the State of CT Commission on Aging. Under Gov. Weicker the Dept. of Aging became part of the State Dept. of Social Services. At that time a State Commission on Aging was created to be an independent voice of advocacy; housed within the legislative branch. As of July 2009 the Dept. of Aging will be recreated; what this will look like is still to be determined. The Commission is advocating strongly to ensure that the new department will be strong and functional. There are many questions to be determined regarding what funding will come through this new Department. The State of CT recently completed a statewide needs assessment regarding long-term care; focused on the need to break down the “silos” between providers and funding sources: ADRC’S- Aging and Disability Resource Centers, which would offer a single point of entry into the system. The Commission also did a statewide assessment of existing property tax initiatives, and there will be a forum held on this. Another project that the Commission has taken on the issue of looking at “redefining retirement.” The CT Elder Action Network is one of the groups advocating for a strong Dept. of Aging.

- “Out of Doors”: T. Quinn reported that he would like to see us getting seniors out doors more, and would like to see the Commission support the Senior Olympics. Adrienne Marks asked that her report be included: she approached someone in the President’s Office at UConn, who put her in touch with Steve Rhodes. The Athletics’ Dept. reported that all of the venues are spoken for, as well as obstacles re: housing. Steve Rhodes will go back to the Athletic Dept. and look at hosting some more limited regional events. If the Commission approves, Adrienne would like to contact UConn and indicate that we are ready to proceed with this. P. Hope suggested that she attend this Wed. to meet with President Hogan. C. Pellegrine suggested that there may be areas of the Depot Campus that can be used to host some of these activities as well. C. Phillips supports the idea of doing this on a smaller, more regional scale, which would be more affordable for participants. R. Gouldsbrough reported that he started several activities (bocce, horeshoes, darts, etc.) and found that it was very successful. It was agreed that the Commission will support some form of “Senior Games”, and that Adrienne Marks will pursue this with UConn.

- “Other”: R. Gouldsbrough is resigning from the Commission. He was thanked for his contributions and his exceptional service to this Commission. M. Thatcher reported that her term is ending at the end of Sept.

VI. 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. She raised concerns about younger disabled individuals moving into senior housing. P. Hope clarified that it depends on the source of funding as to whether or not the facility requires a certain percentage of seniors living there. T. Quinn suggested that the Commission develop and send a bulletin to area churches to inform them of services that are available in Town.

Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation – J. Kenny: no report.

B. Social, Recreational and Educational

Senior Center – P. Hope distributed copies of her report. She noted that Micky Welles was laid off as the result of a townwide restructuring. She also distributed copies of a proposed annual report from the Commission on Aging.

Senior Center Assoc. – John Brubacher (for Tom Rogers): no report.

C. Housing

Assisted Living Advisory Committee: K. Grunwald provided an update on the selection of Masonicare as a preferred developer for an Independent/Assisted Living facility.

Wrights Way, Juniper Hill, Jensen’s Park, Other: no reports.

D. Related Town and Regional Organizations such as:

Advisory Committee on the Needs of Persons with Disabilities, Senior Resources of Eastern CT

VII. Old Business

- Proposed Board of Seniors (T. Quinn): mentioned that this is included in the recommendations for Mansfield 2020; the townwide strategic plan.

- Committee to regionalize the Senior Center Association (T. Quinn) reported that this is an initiative of the Mansfield Senior Center Association. P. Hope added that some of the services of the Center are not available to non-residents.

- Status of the State of CT, Department of Social Services Funding Opportunities (P. Hope/K. Grunwald): reported that these grants were received.

- Long Range Plan for 2007- 2010: Update on Action Plans (all): T. Quinn feels that the Town’s financial status impinges on this. P. Hope states that “At Your Fingertips” could be printed internally, and also posted on-line.

IX. Adjournment

Meeting Adjourned at 10: 57 AM.

Next meeting: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 9:30 AM at the Senior Center

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Grunwald