Town of East Hampton
Commission on Aging (COA)
Thursday, November 12, 2009
East Hampton Town Hall Meeting Room
Present: Chairperson Pauline Simko, Vice Chairman Lance Johnson, Nelson Maurice, Ann McLaughlin and Mary Jo Shafer. Also present: Town Manager Jeffery O’Keefe, Senior Center Director Jo Ann Ewing and Recording Secretary Cathy Sirois.
Call to Order:
Chairperson Simko called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by Ms. McLaughlin, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to approve the minutes of the October 8, 2009 meeting as written. Voted (5-0).
Public Remarks: None
Correspondence:
A grant writing workshop will be held at the Russell Library on Tuesday, November 17th at 9:30 a.m.
New Business:
2010 Meeting Dates: A motion was made by Mr. Maurice, seconded by Ms. Shafer, to approve the 2010 Meeting Dates as presented. Voted (5-0).
Senior Center Renovation Grant: Mr. O’Keefe reported that the grant for the Senior Center Renovation was received. The building committee will include Melissa Engel, John Tuttle, Ann McLaughlin, Frank Grzyb and Wagner and Associates. There is still one opening on the committee to be named at a future Council meeting.
Chatham Health District – Emergency Notification System: Ms. McLaughlin wondered how the commission could help seniors in being signed up for the emergency notification system. She asked if there is a database of elderly residents. Ms. Ewing noted that the myseniorcenter.com information would be a start. Ms. Simko noted that churches and visiting nurses should be notified about the Commission on Aging. Another option would be to speak at the Rotary and Lions clubs. Ms. Simko will write a letter of introduction for the commission.
Unfinished Business:
Mission Statement: The Mission Statement was completed and voted on at the last meeting.
Goals: Revised goals were distributed. A few minor corrections were made. A final copy of the goals will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Town Brochure: The Volunteer Commission Handbook is still in process.
Building Alarm: The building alarm will be programmed in to the renovations at the Senior Center.
Housing Authority Report: Ms. McLaughlin reported that a workshop was held to discuss the proposals for the congregate housing project near Bellwood Court.
Senior Services Presentation: Follow up questions to last month’s report on transportation were reviewed. A meeting will be held with Middletown Area Transit to discuss the issues.
JoAnn Ewing, Senior Center Director, provided a report on her position as the Municipal Agent. She goes through Choices training related to Medicare, Medicaid, state buy in programs for assistance and Connpace to name a few. She does referrals related to elderlaw and works on the CT energy assistance program through CRT. She is a liaison to family members of elderly residents that live out of state. She collaborates with the police on elderly issues. This is a brief overview of the position.
Public Remarks:
Jesse Sjoblad asked where the congregate housing will be located. Ms. Simko noted it will be located next to Bellwood Court. The congregate housing will be in addition to Bellwood Court, with possible upgrades to the Bellwood Court after the congregate housing is complete.
Alice Stelzer, President of the Belltown Senior Club, invited the commission to their Christmas Party at the Senior Center on December 7th.
Mr. O’Keefe noted that the commission did a great job on the mission statement and goals and asked if the commission would do a presentation at the next Council meeting. Mr. Johnson agreed to do a short presentation on the mission statement and goals and to report on what the commission has been discussing.
A motion was made by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. McLaughlin, to adopt the goals as revised. Voted (5-0).
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Ms. McLaughlin, seconded by Mr. Maurice, to adjourn the meeting at 3:50 p.m. (Voted 5-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
| 
