Town of East Hampton
Commission on Aging (COA)
Thursday, February 10, 2011
East Hampton Town Hall Meeting Room
MINUTES
Present: ~Vice Chairman Lance Johnson, Ann McLaughlin and Mary Jo Shafer. ~Also present: Senior Center Director Jo Ann Ewing and Recording Secretary Cathy Sirois.
Not Present: Nelson Maurice
Call to Order:
Vice Chairman Lance Johnson called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m.
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by Ms. McLaughlin, seconded by Ms. Shafer, to approve the minutes of the January 13, 2011 meeting as written. ~Voted (3-0).
Correspondence: ~
Chairperson Pauline Simko has resigned from the Commission on Aging. Due to this, Vice Chairman Johnson opened nominations for a new Chairman.
A motion was made by Ms. Shafer, seconded by Ms McLaughlin, to nominate Lance Johnson as Chairman. Voted (3-0).
A motion was made by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. McLaughlin, to nominate MaryJo Shafer as the Vice Chairperson. Voted (3-0).
The appointment of a Vice Chairman will be discussed again after the two open seats are filled.
New Business:
Discuss Upcoming Emergency Management Meeting: The Commission will meet with the Emergency Management Director, Richard Klotzbier, to discuss the emergency management plan as it relates to seniors. The date of the meeting is not yet set.
Agenda for Informational Sessions: Commission members will bring questions to the next meeting for the upcoming church board meetings. The Commission is working to identify the isolated elderly residents. Suggested questions include how can the commission help; how can the commission and the churches work together; what are the needs of the elderly in their church and how can they assist in identifying the isolated elderly.
A motion was made by Ms. Shafer, seconded by Ms. McLaughlin, to add an item to the agenda for Budgets and a Report on the Breakfast Meeting. Voted (3-0).
Budget: The Commission wants to establish a budget. Ms. McLaughlin is concerned with the budget being attached to the Senior Center budget. She does not want it to interfere with the Senior Center budget. Ms. Shafer suggested increasing the budget amount for advertising, the brochure and funds for a professional grant writer.
A motion was made by Ms. McLaughlin, seconded by Ms. Shafer, to request a budget of $3,000 to be attached to but not part of the Senior Center budget. Voted (2-1). Mr. Johnson opposed. He does not want the budget to affect the Senior Center budget.
An amendment was made to the motion by Ms. McLaughlin, seconded by Ms. Shafer, to attach the budget to the Town Council budget rather than the Senior Center. Voted (3-0).
Ms. Ewing will speak with Mr. Drewry about the budget.
Breakfast Meeting: Ms. Shafer reported that two weeks ago at the Middlesex Elderly Service Provider breakfast there was a speaker from the State Commission on Aging. The speaker noted that there is growth in the senior population in CT. The speaker discussed how they educate the new congress members and representatives on the elderly issues.
Unfinished Business:
Building Committee Report: ~Ms. McLaughlin reported that bids for the Senior Center expansion came in too high. There will be a meeting scheduled next week to discuss what can be done.
Brochure and Public Relations: The brochure is on hold until a budget is obtained. Ms. Shafer is still requesting photographs of residents over 60 with a possible background of Lake Pocotopaug. She will be in touch with Dianne Annelli to see if she is willing to finish the brochure after the budget is approved.
Grants: No new information.
Housing Authority Report: ~
Ms. McLaughlin reported that the congregate housing project is shovel ready. The Housing Authority has not been successful in meeting with Senator Dailey and Representative Hamm. Ms. Shafer asked if the commission should send a letter to the Senator Dailey and Representative Hamm on behalf of the Housing Authority. Mr. Johnson noted that he has not been successful in reaching Senator Dailey for several years and does not feel a letter would work.
Grasshopper Lawn Care did a great job at the senior housing complexes on the sidewalks and roofs.
Senior Services Report: ~
Ms. Ewing reported that the budget has been submitted at 1.2% less than last year. The budget hearings are March 11th. Ms. Ewing reviewed the attendance at the Senior Center. She noted it was closed for 6 days during the snowy weather. She also reported that myseniorcenter.com will happen. They will form a partnership with the company that produces the senior newsletter and the advertising will help pay for the system. Also, the cost of the system went from $10,000 to approximately $3,500 due to the advertising that will appear on the system. They have received $1,000 from the Lions Club and $100 from Liberty Bank. Ms. Ewing will also still be meeting with the Rotary Club. Ms. Ewing discussed an Interest Survey that the Senior Center would like to have done. She asked if this is
something the commission can help fund or ask for donations from civic groups. It was noted that this will be tabled until the myseniorcenter funding is finalized.
Public Remarks:
Alice Stelzer, Waterview Circle, commented that she is extremely disappointed about the building for the Senior Center and feels it has been mismanaged by the town from the beginning. She also commented that the Commission should ask the designer of the brochure to donate the remainder of the work. She also disagrees with Mr. Johnson and feels the commission should send a letter to the legislators regarding the congregate housing.
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Ms. McLaughlin, seconded by Ms. Shafer, to adjourn the meeting at 4:15 p.m. Voted (3-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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