Mansfield Commission on Aging Minutes

Monday, April 11, 2005

2:30 PM – Senior Center

 

PRESENT: K. Grunwald (staff), S. Thomas (Chair), M. Thatcher, J. Kenny (staff), B. Acebo, D. Mercier, N. Stevens, J. Brubacher, E. Norris

REGRETS: P. Secker, P. Hope, C. McMillan

 

I.       Call to Order: meeting was called to order at 2:40 PM by Chair S. Thomas

 

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

 

III.  Acceptance of Minutes:  the minutes of the March 14, 2005 meeting were accepted as written.  The minutes will go out at least a week in advance of the next meeting.

 

IV. Correspondence  - Chair and Staff: the minutes included information about AARP’s support of the bill to fund a state-wide Dial-A-Ride service.  M. Thatcher recommended that the Commission send a letter of support for this bill to the appropriations committee.   M. Thatcher will contact Rep. Denise Merrill to express the Commission’s support for this bill.

 

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 diabetes support group had a successful presentation by an outside presenter.  24 new clients were seen in March.

       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.  Participation in the meals program has increased despite curtailing the availability of the Windham Hospital meal.  Infoline recently did a presentation on services that they offer.  The Senior Expo will be held on 4/20 at the Eastbrook Mall from 9-12:30.       

Senior Center Assoc. – J. Brubacher reported that he attended the intergenerational dinner at E.O. Smith, and questioned the value of the event.  He also mentioned that this Wednesday is Volunteer Recognition Day at the Senior Center.  There was a bazaar held this past Saturday, and residents of Juniper Hill who were displaced by the fire were able to select items for their apartments.

C.    Housing

Assisted Living Project  - K. Grunwald reported that the Town has issued an RFQ for a consultant to conduct a needs assessment for an Assisted Living facility.  He will keep the Commission updated on the status of this process.

                  Juniper Hill, Jensen’s Park, Other: no report.

D.    Related Town and Regional Organizations

                   Advisory Committee on the Needs of Persons with Disabilities – no report.

                   Senior Resources of Eastern CT: no report.

                   Town Plan of Conservation and Development: no report.

 Town Community Center: B. Acebo stated that she received a newsletter from the Community Center, and she noted that there was no mention of seniors to encourage participation in the Center.  There was some discussion that the Commission would like to see the Community Center target more programs for seniors, and to target seniors as a demographic group.  S. Thomas suggested contacting the Recreation Advisory Committee; N. Stevens suggested using the suggestion boxes there.  Also suggested inviting C. Vincente to attend a Commission meeting.  D. Mercier suggested that we start with this; Curt will be invited to the next meeting. 

 

VI  Old Business

         

           Need for Windham Region Rep to Board of Senior Resources: no discussion. 

          

Status of Agency Requests for Funding from Town: the Town Manager’s recommendations have gone to the Town Council.  This part of the budget will be reviewed and will be open for public comment tonight at 6:30.

 

Preparation of The Long Range Plan (2004-2014) – K. Grunwald distributed a draft outline for the plan.  Some questions were raised about the need for and use of a survey to complete this project.  It was suggested that we create a draft plan and make the completion of a town-wide survey as one of the major tasks in the plan.  N. Stevens suggested that K. Grunwald contact Waldo Klein and the School of Social Work to commit to a time-frame and a charge for the cost of assisting with this survey.  J. Kenny suggested that Nancy Sheehan would be another option to consider.  It was agreed that K. Grunwald will initiate the contact. 

                      

VII  New Business

B. Acebo discussed rental reevaluation at Juniper Hill.  Jean Ann Kenny explained how rent is calculated.

 

         

 VII. Adjournment

Meeting adjourned 3:58 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for Mon., May 9 at 2:30 pm at the Senior Center

         

Respectfully submitted,

 

Kevin Grunwald