Mansfield Commission on Aging Minutes

9:30 AM – Senior Center

Monday, January 12, 2009

PRESENT: K. Grunwald (staff), W. Bigl, M. Ross, C. Pellegrine, M. Thatcher, C. Phillips, J. Brubacher, A. Holinko, J. Scottron (guest), J. Kenny (staff)

REGRETS: P. Richardson, J. Quarto, T. Quinn

I. Call to Order: Vice-Chair C. Pellegrine called the meeting to order at 9:35 AM.

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

III. Acceptance of Minutes: the minutes of the December 8, 2008 meeting were accepted as written.

IV. Correspondence – Chair and Staff: K. Grunwald provided a copy of a report from The CT Long-Term Care Needs Assessment. J. Brubacher raised concerns about the proposed State budget in terms of reductions in funds for services to seniors. This will be added to the agenda.

V. New Business

- End of year review for the Commission: T. Quinn has asked that the Commission look to establish goals for the year 2009, including recommending to the Town Council that they renew publication of the town-wide newsletter. W. Bigl feels that most communication is electronic now. C. Pellegrine said that the Communication Advisory Committee is looking at ways of keeping citizens better informed. C. Phillips recommended watching Council meetings on Channel 13; the consensus was that the sound system in the Council Chambers needs to be improved. M. Ross suggested that Council members wear lapel microphones. J. Brubacher feels that a letter needs to be sent to the Council about this. A suggestion was made that these recommendations be made to the Communications Advisory Committee. C. Pellegrine will draft a letter and send it to the Advisory Committee. There was no agreement on goals for the Commission for 2009.

- Proposed representative from Juniper Hill: Ruth Gunn has been suggested by T. Quinn as the Juniper Hill representative.

- “Other”: Budget Implications for seniors: J. Brubacher raised concerns that there will be cuts in services to seniors; he feels that the Commission needs to identify what the priority services are that they would like to see maintained.

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 the lack of services to support grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. She also distributed copies of an article on Shingles.

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

B. Social, Recreational and Educational

Senior Center – P. Richardson was not present; K. Grunwald distributed copies of her monthly report, and acknowledged the generosity of donors for the Town’s holiday programs.

Senior Center Assoc. – J. Brubacher (for Tom Rogers): He did not attend the last meeting of the Executive Committee. He stated that he is still concerned about the availability of geriatric health services. C. Pellegrine reminded members that Take Note will be holding a benefit concert for the Association on January 25; please encourage friends to attend. W. Bigl announced that volunteers will be starting the Tax Preparation Program this month.

C. Housing

Assisted Living Advisory Committee: K. Grunwald announced that Masonicare has signed an agreement on an option to purchase a piece of property to develop an independent/assisted living facility. The location of the property is not public at this time.

Wrights Way, Juniper Hill: no report.

Jensen’s Park: W. Bigl reports no news.

Other: none

D. Related Town and Regional Organizations such as:

Advisory Committee on the Needs of Persons with Disabilities, Senior Resources of Eastern CT: no reports.

VII. Old Business

- Long Range Plan for 2007- 2010: Update on Action Plans (all): no update.

IX. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 10:30 AM.

Next meeting: Monday, February 9, 2009 at 9:30 AM at the Senior Center.

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Grunwald