Commission on Aging
Minutes of Regular Meeting
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Commission on Aging held a regular meeting on Monday, October 19, 2009 at the Senior Center, 14 Riverside Road, Sandy Hook, CT. Chairman Edward Rees called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Edward Rees, Thomas Dwyer, Karin Aurelia, James Bernardi, Mary Ellen Lydem, Lenore Niedzielski, Barbara Wadleigh. EXCUSED/ABSENT: Glenna Rees, LeReine Frampton, Norma Gray, Anna Wiedemann. ALSO PRESENT: Marilyn Place, Director of Senior Services, Ann Piccini, Director of Social Services, Senior Action Committee members John Aurelia and Bob Sharpe.
VOTER PARTICIPATION. None noted.
CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. Mr. Rees noted that correspondence was received and forwarded to the Commission on Aging members from the Department of Transportation concerning a DOT Advisory Committee meeting on October 22, 2009. The agenda includes “Project 174-316, Interstate 84 Environmental Impact Statement” for I84 from Danbury through Waterbury.
Discussion and possible action concerning considering the Store House Building in Fairfield Hills as a stand alone Senior Center will be added to “Unfinished Business.”
MINUTES OF ~SEPTEMBER 21, 2009. Mr. Dwyer requested that the minutes note that the purpose of touring the Store House Building in Fairfield Hills is that the Town proposed this building as a possible stand alone building for the Senior Center. Upon motion of Mrs. Niedzielski, seconded by Mr. Dwyer, the minutes of the regular meeting of September 21, 2009 were unanimously accepted as amended.
TREASURER’S REPORT (Attachment A to Director of Senior Services report). Mrs. Niedzielski signed the check that closed out the Gift Fund Account. It is now in the Town of Newtown funds. The balance in the Gift Fund Account is $34,532.45 and in the Trip Account $6,510.00. She noted that 23.3% of the budget has been spent.
Mr. Rees thanked Mr. Dwyer for his work on the Commission on Aging Ordinance.
DIRECTOR OF SENIOR SERVICES REPORT (Attachment B). Mrs. Place noted that there was not enough flu vaccine at the two clinics that the Bethel VNA held (150 doses each time) but the amount was sufficient at the clinic held by the Danbury VNA (400 doses). She anticipates enough vaccine at the upcoming Danbury VNA clinics tomorrow and the following Tuesday. The annual Christmas party will be on December 8. The HART 13B grant was received and as of October 12 there is again ridership on Saturdays but there are not extended hours.
Mr. Rees noted that the seniors will be the last group to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine. Mrs. Lydem noted that is because anyone born before 1957 has a built in immunity because they were previously exposed to the virus.
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES/MUNICIPAL AGENT REPORT. (Attachment C). Mrs. Piccini is concerned that the Government may reduce the amount that doctors are paid for Medicare reimbursements because they are reducing Social Security. She said that doctors in Newtown will not see Medicaid patients. Mrs. Lydem noted that few doctors will see Medicaid patients and that these patients should go to a clinic.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
TRIAD. Mrs. Place attended the third annual conference on October 15 with Officer Mary Helen McCarthy at which the Attorney General’s office distributed a Consumer Handbook.
SENIOR CENTER EXPANSION. Mr. Rees noted that the retaining wall has been built around the outside of the building. He noted that Public Works Director Fred Hurley had said that this wall was necessary in order to complete the four season room.
NEW BUILDING. Discussion followed about the Store House Building on Trades Lane that the Commission toured at the September 21 meeting. Mr. Rees noted that the Board of Selectmen asked the Commission on Aging to look at this building as a possible stand alone Senior Center. He noted that this building had been used primarily as a storage area for frozen meat and the main floor was an industrial freezer. He said that the building is in need of an extensive amount of work and would be very expensive. Other members noted that the parking situation is not adequate. Mr. Dwyer noted that the ceilings are very high and the heating costs would be high. The consensus of those present is not to consider this building. Mrs. Place noted that the Capital Improvement Plan for next year includes a request for $9 million for a
building. Mr. Aurelia noted that the Board of Selectmen voted for $1 million for a footprint and architect’s fees for the Community Center Building and the remainder to tear down Litchfield Hall.
Mrs. Lydem moved to vote on our decision to accept or reject the Town of Newtown offer of the Store House Building to reconstruct a Senior Center and also that in the best interests of the taxpayers of the Town this is an impractical choice. Second by Mrs. Aurelia. None were in favor of considering the building. All present were against considering the Store House Building.
NEW BUSINESS
ELECTION OF OFFICERS. On behalf of the nominating committee, Mrs. Lydem presented the following slate of officers:
Treasurer Karin Aurelia
Vice-Chairman Mary Ellen Lydem
Chairman Thomas Dwyer
Mr. Bernardi moved to accept the slate of officers as presented. Second by Mrs. Wadleigh. There were no further nominations. Motion unanimously carried.
MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2010. The meeting schedule was 2010 was unanimously accepted as presented.
ADJOURNMENT. Upon motion of Mrs. Aurelia, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Ann M. Mazur, Clerk
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