Mansfield Commission on Aging Minutes
9:30 AM – Senior Center
Monday, February 9, 2009
PRESENT: K. Grunwald (staff), C. Pellegrine, M. Thatcher, J. Quarto, S. Gordon, A. Holinko, T. Quinn (Chair), K. Doeg, P. Richardson (staff), C. Phillips
REGRETS: J. Kenny (staff)
I. Call to Order: Chair T. Quinn 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 January 12, 2009 meeting were accepted as written.
IV. Correspondence – Chair and Staff: K. Grunwald distributed copies of an article on the Enfield Senior Center requesting donations. The recommendation is that this suggestion be brought to the Association.
V. New Business
- Review of Agency Funding Requests: K. Grunwald was unable to bring a summary of the agency funding requests, but did have the applications for commission members to review. There was some discussion as to the role of the Commission in reviewing these applications. The question arose as to whether or not this group should recommend cuts in funding, or to just prioritize? Some members were uncomfortable recommending cuts, and the general feeling was that the recommendation should be whether or not the agency provides a service that meets the needs of seniors. The following Commission members agreed to review the applications that we have received and present their recommendations at the March meeting: Carol Phillips- TVCCA (Meals on Wheels); Tim Quinn- McSweeney Center; Carol Pellegrine- Companions and Homemkers; Sam Gordon- WRTD- Dial-A-Ride.
- Proposed representative from Juniper Hill: Ruth Gunn- not present.
- “Other”
VI. Optional Reports on Services/Needs of Town Aging Populations
A. Health Care Services
Wellness Center and Wellness Program – J. Kenny was out sick; no report.
Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation – J. Kenny was out sick; no report. . C. Pellegrine raised some questions about MCNR, and the number of residents who need long-term care.
B. Social, Recreational and Educational
Senior Center – P. Richardson reported on the withdrawal of funding for the Municipal Transportation grant by the State. This grant has been used by the Town primarily to fund rides to medical appointments outside of the Dial-A-Ride region. Members were encouraged to show their support for this program. She distributed copies of her monthly report. Healthnet has discontinued financial support for their aerobics program. The Windham Hospital meal is no longer being offered on Wednesday. The Town and the Association are looking at having the Sparks newsletter produced by an outside company, which would reduce the overall cost to the Town by approximately $9000.
Senior Center Assoc. – John Brubacher (for Tom Rogers): not present; no report. P. Richardson reported that the Association raised over $600 through a “Take Note” benefit concert.
C. Housing
Assisted Living Advisory Committee: K. Grunwald reported that he has met with representatives of Masonicare to discuss an affiliation with the Mansfield Community Center. They have still not announced the proposed location for their facility. Some questions were raised about the Assisted Living services that are offered at Juniper Hill.
Wrights Way, Juniper Hill, Jensen’s Park, Other: no report.
D. Related Town and Regional Organizations such as:
Advisory Committee on the Needs of Persons with Disabilities, Senior Resources of Eastern CT: no reports.
C. Phillips provided information on job opportunities for seniors through Companions and Homemakers. C. Pellegrine mentioned that the Probate Court is always looking for people to serve as conservators. C. Pellegrine feels that both of these are things that should be promoted more actively.
VII. Old Business
- Long Range Plan for 2007- 2010: Update on Action Plans (all): no discussion.
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IX. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 10:36 AM. Next meeting: Monday, March 9, 2009 at 9:30 AM at the Senior Center
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin Grunwald