MINUTES

Thursday, April 3, 2003; 2:30 PM

AUDREY P. BECK BUILDING, CONFERENCE ROOM A

PRESENT: K. Grunwald (staff), B. Lehmann, J. Heald, M. Hauslaib, E.Passmore, J. Peters

I. MINUTES:

Minutes of March 13, 2003 meeting: the minutes were approved as written.

II. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Facilitated discussion of mission and purpose of SSAC: the committee spent a significant part of the meeting coming to some agreement regarding guidelines for the SSAC, including the Mission & Purpose and Membership. K. Grunwald will send the completed work to committee members for their review. Everyone was asked to respond with their ideas about Functions and Guidelines/Limitations prior to the next meeting. Our goal is to complete this project by the end of the May meeting.

B. Update on SSAC collaboration with Recreation Advisory Committee on Community Center fee reduction policy/schedule: K. Grunwald, B.Lehmann, M.Hauslaib and J.Heald met with Curt Vincente to review the proposed changes to the fee waiver ordinance. It was proposed that we endorse the RAC recommendation for changes in the fee waiver policy to include Community Center Memberships, with a separate “scholarship fund” established and administered by the Social Service Department for families who are unable to pay the fee that has been determined. Some concern was raised about the exact wording of the change in the ordinance, with the intent being that the new ordinance establish and fund the mechanism to provide a subsidy to residents who are unable to pay the designated fee. K. Grunwald will meet with Curt Vincente to finalize this wording and get back to the Committee.

C. FY ’04 Budget update:

1. Status of agency funding requests: K. Grunwald distributed the Town Manager’s recommendations for agency funding that will go the Town Council as a part of the budget. The committee agreed that no further action needs to be taken.

2. Discussion of a Town contribution to the Special Needs Fund: Town Manger has been asked if the Town can make a contribution to this fund, which he stated that he will consider.

D. Review of agency funding request process: It was decided that this will be tabled until our next meeting; and we may not be able to consider this fully until September.

E. Other

III. COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS:

A. Discussion with SSD Director, Kevin Grunwald: K. Grunwald reported on general departmental activities. A decision has been made to reduce the secretarial position in the Wellness Center to a half-time position. Some concerns were raised as to whether or not this will compromise service delivery. The Director will be working on a plan to revise the job description for this position, and will keep committee members informed regarding the impact on service delivery. A revised job description for Senior Services Coordinator has been developed to replace Marilyn Gerling, and is currently being discussed with the union. Recruitment for that position will be starting soon.

B. Review of Department activity and other items in packet

C. Program funding updates

· Graustein Foundation: a revised budget and work plan were submitted on 3/31.

· School Readiness Grant: we have confirmed that Mansfield is no longer eligible for this grant; no change in legislation.

· OPM Underage Drinking Grant: we will find out whether or not this has been awarded after May 1.

· Real Choice Systems Change Grant: K. Grunwald attended a bidder’s conference. The application is due April 18.

· Senior Services Nurse/Wellness Center: the program is working well, with reimbursement through the McSweeny Center.

· General impact of State budget cuts/closure of Willimantic DSS office: will continue to monitor.

D. Other

IV. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair: B. Lehmann was nominated for chair, seconded and approved. M. Hauslaib nominated for vice-chair, seconded and approved.

B. Special Needs Fund proposal: K. Grunwald and B. Lehmann will present a proposal to the committee prior to the next meeting. M. Hauslaib suggested that we look at forming a community steering committee that would take responsibility for managing this (empower the members to sustain this fund over time).

C. Other

V. PLANS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

May 1: Continued discussion of: (1) Agency funding request process, (2) Mission and purpose of SSAC, and (3) Special Needs Fund proposal, including review of a first draft.
June 5: Marilyn Gerling