Colchester Commission on Aging
Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, January 11, 2010 – Colchester Senior Center
Members Present: Vice-Chair Clara Erickson, Bernie Erickson, Betty Ann Oppelt, Barbara Warden, Bill Wagner
Members Absent: Sue Maikshilo, Theresa Hendricksen
Others Present: Patti White, Rosemary Coyle, Jean Stawicki
1. Call Meeting to Order: The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Clara Erickson at 1:00 p.m.
2. Minutes: Barbara Warden motioned to approve the regular meeting minutes of 7/13/09. Bernie Erickson seconded. Bill Wagner abstained. All other members present voted in favor. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Financial Report: Bernie Erickson reported that dial-a-ride collected $287.50 in December from bus transportation. Of that, $78.00 was for out of town trips including shopping and lunch outings. Barbara Warden motioned to approve the Financial Report. Bill Wagner seconded. All other members present voted in favor. MOTION CARRIED.
4. Chairman’s Report: Clara Erickson reported that she made a home visit that went very well. She also attended the Christmas pizza party which was much appreciated and well attended.
5. Senior Center Director’s Report: Patti White reported that the flu clinic was held last week. The Health Director applauded the senior volunteers who did a great job of running the clinic smoothly.
Patti has spoken to some folks who are interested in volunteering for the Friendship program. There will be a mini-training in late February or early March. They are also beginning to identify those who might benefit from these visits.
TVCCA will begin the new meal program 2 days a week on January 21st. They will serve fresh prep meals, prepared on site, rather than premade and delivered. The suggested donation is remaining at $2.50. They are also providing the food for the ‘Kicking the Blues’ program on January 26th.
Next week, TRIAD is holding a yellow dot informational session. They will take pictures and make cards for seniors that will detail medical needs or special instructions for emergency personnel in case of an accident.
Also beginning in January, there will be a benefits counselor available 2 days per month for 3 hours at a time. They have a software program that will identify needs to get seniors help where it is needed. It is a confidential, one-on-one service for lower income seniors. This is paid for by Senior Resources and shared throughout the southeastern region of the state.
The First Selectman asked department heads to prepare their 2011 budget. There is a lot of concern about this budget and it is expected to be conservative in projecting. He has also asked each department to detail to the larger community what is happening and what their goals are. Patti explained that the senior center has a long list of services and activities. She also related that the center’s budget includes other incomes such as grants, donations and fundraising, so it’s important that the community understand that they are not just supported by Colchester tax dollars.
The AARP tax program will start on February 2nd. Seniors who wish to take advantage of this service should contact Donna to make an appointment.
The Senior Center Study Group will meet on Thursday, January 14th at 5:30. Theresa Hendricksen is chair and Norm Dupuis is vice-chair. Norm will be presenting the findings of the Friends of the Senior Center.
6. Old Business:
A. Saybrook Visitation Program: There was discussion regarding screening volunteers. The town does have a volunteer policy and Patti said she would be looking into those requirements. The question also came up regarding whether it would only include Colchester residents. Patti said that there currently are no policies governing things like age or geography.
B. New Business: No items were reported.
9. Adjournment: Barbara Warden motioned to adjourn the meeting at 1:30 p.m. Betty Ann Oppelt seconded. All other members present voted in favor. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Komoroski
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