TOWN OF STONINGTON

HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Commission on Aging
Recreation Social Services  Youth & Family Services
166 South Broad Street
Pawcatuck, Connecticut 06379
(860) 535-5015    Fax (860) 599-8290

October 3, 2007
The regular meeting of the Commission on Aging was held on October 3, 2007 in the Human Services Building Community Room. Members present were Maryann Bessette, Betty Crouteau, Faith Claspell, Robert Elmer, Karen Hawthorn, Lisa Ryan, Virginia Turek, and Jennifer Young.  Also in attendance were Alicia O’Neill and Carol Umphlett of the Human Services Department and Ed Haberek. 

The meeting was called to order by Robert Elmer at 4:03 p.m.

Minutes of the September 5, 2007 meeting were presented. Motion by Maryann Bessette to accept the minutes and place on file. Seconded by Lisa Ryan. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report was presented by Jennifer Young. The following amounts are available for use: postage: $4,304.00, reproduction and printing: $1,100.00, and program expenses $1,952.12 for a budget total of $7,356.12. There is $2,543.50 in the post office account and $523.15 in the senior activities budget. Jennifer questioned the $68.85 listed under event consumables; Alicia O’Neill and Carol Umphlett  suggested it may be associated with the cost of refreshments for senior activities. They will investigate the expenditure and provide clarification at the next meeting. Motion by Maryann Bessette to accept the report and place on file. Seconded by Betty Crouteau. Motion carried.

Alicia O’Neill provided her report on senior activities. She noted that although the cancer workshop held today was not well-attended, the information provided was “phenomenal” and those who did attend benefited greatly. A dementia workshop that will provided by Rose Levine of the Alzheimer’s Association on December 5. Rose will be providing Alzheimer’s workshops every three months for seniors and caregivers. An upcoming hospice workshop is being planned as well. The next Yellow Dot program will take place on Monday, October 15th from 10 am to noon at Stonington Arms. An intergenerational program will be held at Edyth K. Richmond on Halloween during which middle school students will decorate cookies with seniors. The Senior Safety Workshop held at the COMO was not well-attended, however, those who did attend shared that it was very informative.   

Alicia shared with those present that the senior exercise program being held at the United Congregational Church is in need of financial support. She extended Beth Stewart’s suggestion that the Commission consider contributing to this program financially. Jennifer Young offered free use of the COMO for the class which would eliminate the $1,000 yearly fee to use the Congregational Church. This option will be investigated.

Carol Umphlett reported that the Renters Rebate program has wrapped up and applications for energy assistance are being processed. Carol shared that 5 members of the Stonington chapter of TRIAD will be attending the annual meeting on October 23rd. 

Lisa Ryan reported on senior legislative issues. She provided all present with a survey from the CT Coalition on Aging asking for people to identify which state legislative issues they would like to see tracked by the Coalition during 2007-2008. Lisa asked those present to complete and mail this survey. The survey will be included as an insert in the next issue of “Gray Matters” and completed surveys will be returned to the COA. The Commission will then review responses and submit the findings to the Coalition on Aging.

OLD BUSINESS

Bob Elmer attended the recent PNC annual dinner. During this dinner, the floor plan to the addition at the PNC was shown. Bob expressed that since this is a town-wide project, the COA has a need to see this floor plan. Bob informed those present that since the COA’s bylaws require the Commission act as advocates for the seniors within town, that the Commission is “mandated” to be part of this project. All present agreed having a member of the COA in attendance at the monthly PNC board meeting would be beneficial. Jenn Young volunteered to attend the October 16th meeting. Karen Hawthorn will attend on November 20th, and Bob Elmer will attend on December 18th.  These meetings are held at the PNC on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm. Bob included in his recent article for “Gray Matters” an encouragement to any interested in seeing the floor plan for the senior center to contact the PNC and noted that input and feedback from all seniors within Stonington is encouraged.

Lisa Ryan noted that although the senior center will be an addition to the PNC, it is logical that the “senior center” have a separate committee or board as the PNC cannot have complete jurisdiction over the senior center as it has received town funding. Motion made by Lisa Ryan that Bob Elmer approach First Selectman Brown in favor of a committee or board independent of the PNC to oversee the operation of the senior center. Seconded by Jenn Young. Motion carried.
 
NEW BUSINESS

The Commission received a letter from the Westerly Veterans soliciting a donation to the Veterans Day parade. Motion by Jennifer Young to reject the request. Seconded by Virginia Turek. Motion carried.

Jenn Young informed all present that a VNA flu shot clinic will be held at the COMO on October 19th from 10 am to 1pm. In addition, the COMO will be hosting a workshop on the use of the new voting machines that will be utilized by the town in upcoming elections. Representatives from the town hall will provide instruction to seniors on how to use these new computerized machines. Ed Haberek noted that there are new voting locations for some districts as well.

Lisa Ryan shared that the Old Saybrook candidates for First Selectman were meeting at their senior center to address senior issues. Lisa suggested the Stonington candidates for First Selectman be approached to do the same thing. Faith Claspell will contact Stacy Cassata requesting she contact First Selectman Brown with this request as Bob Elmer will be out of town. Jenn Young offered the use of the COMO for the event. Ed Haberek  was present and agreed to participate.

Lisa provided all present with copies of a newspaper article outlining how the COA in Montville is proposing a program for seniors and the disabled that would provide a daily phone call to check on those who sign up for the service. Lisa noted that this COA identified a need seniors within their community had, they found a solution, and they raised money to implement the solution.  Lisa noted that this provides an idea of additional ways to meet the needs of seniors.

Lisa also noted a recent newspaper article that identified the prevalence of suicide among the elderly. The article pointed out that the elderly are most at risk out of any age group. Lisa suggested the issue be addressed and depression screening be considered. Carol Umphlett suggested a workshop be held that would inform family members of the signs of depression. 

Bob Elmer shared that Rev. Kathleen Crockford, the pastor of the United Congregational Church of Westerly, would like to become a member of the COA. 

Motion by Virginia Turek to adjourn. Seconded by Maryann Bessette. Motion carried. 

Meeting adjourned 5:12 p.m.

NEXT MEETING – Wednesday, November 7, 2007.

Respectfully submitted,

Faith Claspell, Secretary