2006-05-15
TOWN OF BERLIN
COMMISSION FOR THE AGING
Minutes of Monday, May 15, 2006
* Berlin Senior Center * 7:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order:
Chairwoman Gombotz called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
2. Roll Call:
Members in Attendance:
Barbara Gombotz, Chairwoman
Sue Buckley
Paul MacDonald
Thomas Murphy
Juliet Benjamin, Secretary
Absent:
Connie Marshall
Staff in Attendance:
Antoinette Pajor, Community Services Director
JoAnn Budzinski, Senior Center Director
Note: Ms. Pajor & Ms Budzinski joined the meeting late because they
were in the process of hosting the Chick Kellman Magic Show, an
intergenerational program for seniors and their children and
grandchildren.
3. Approval of Minutes – April 17, 2006 Special Meeting:
Commissioner Buckley made a motion to accept the Minutes of the
Special Meeting of Monday, April 17, 2006, as written. Seconded by
Commissioner MacDonald. Minutes approved.
4. Audience of Citizens:
None
5. Community Services Director Report – Antoinette Pajor:
Secretary Benjamin read Ms. Pajor’s report to the Commission.
Commission members discussed the significance of this being the last
day for seniors to sign up for the Medicare Part D portion and discussed
Minutes of the Commission For The Aging – May 15, 2006 - Page 2
various aspects of the program. A copy of Ms. Pajor’s report is attached
to these minutes.
6. Senior Center Director’s Report:
Secretary Benjamin read Ms. Budzinski’s report to the
Commission. Commissioners noted that they were pleased that so many
events were planned for National Senior Center Week this week and for
May, which is Older Americans Month. A copy of Ms. Budzinski’s report
is attached to these minutes.
7. Spring Social – May 18, 2006:
Chairwoman Gombotz noted that the Commission seems well
prepared to work on The Spring Social this Thursday, May 18, 2006. It
was agreed to meet at 1:30 P.M. to prepare the sandwiches.
Commissioner Buckley has obtained the sandwich rolls from Stop &
Shop and has purchased the tuna fish and eggs for fillings. Ms.
Budzinski noted that Lois, who works at the Senior Center, has offered to
make the Ham & Pickle filling. Commissioner MacDonald will be
supplying Potato Chips and Commissioner Murphy four bottles of Half &
Half for the punch. Chairwoman Gombotz will be supplying a fruit bowl.
Senior Center Dir. Budzinski volunteered bud vases with colorful
pinwheels for use on the approximately sixteen tables. The program
runs from 3:00 to 5:00, with the refreshments being served about 4:00.
8. Discussion on Senior Housing:
Chairwoman Gombotz stated that she would be attending the
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Housing Authority meeting on Wednesday, May 17 at 5:00. Florence
Lyons will also be going, so she can share her concerns about senior
housing with the Housing Authority. Chairwoman Gombotz plans to ask
the square foot size of the units at Marjorie Moore and Percival Heights.
Chairwoman Gombotz also distributed some information and a
letter from Architect William W. Crosskey II about a requested Text
Amendment to the Town of Berlin Zoning Regulations, which would
impact his proposed Heritage Crossing Project @ 462 Alling St., (former
Kensington Grammar School). It appears to the Commission that the
proposal is to eliminate efficiency units from this portion of the zoning
regulations and reduce the minimum size of both one-bedroom and two-
bedroom units. Commissioners questioned what other projects might be
impacted by this zone text request. Chairwoman Gombotz plans to
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attend the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on June 8 when
this proposal is to be heard at a public hearing. She encouraged any
other commissioners to attend if they are available on that night.
9. Pool Table Update:
Minutes of the Commission For The Aging – May 15, 2006 - Page 3
Chairwoman Gombotz had stated at last month’s meeting that she
had a request from a couple of seniors as to why the Community Center
has two new pool tables and the senior center’s pool table was in
disrepair. Community Services Dir. Pajor noted that the Senior Center’s
pool table has been renovated and she believed it to be in good condition,
including new pool cues. Senior Center Dir. Budzinski stated that no
one has approached either her or Asst. Dir. Doyle regarding the condition
of the pool table. Chairwoman Gombotz will check further and report
back to the Commission.
10. Summer Planning @ June Meeting:
Chairwoman Gombotz asked Commissioners to think about
anything they would like to discuss at the June meeting because the
Commission does not meet again until September.
Commissioner MacDonald stated that the discussion of Senior
Housing seems to be the most important issue at this time.
11. Old Business:
None.
12. New Business:
None.
13. Motion to Adjourn:
Commissioner MacDonald moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 P.M.
Seconded by Commissioner Buckley & unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Juliet K. Benjamin, Secretary
Community Services Director’s Report for the Commission for the Aging
May 15, 2006
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Medicare Part D
—Today is the deadline to apply for this program. I have spent
more than 700 hours since November 2005 providing direct counseling to individuals,
couples or caregivers. There will be an “open enrollment” period from November 15
to December 31, 2006 for those wishing to sign up or change programs for the
beginning of the next year. The next effective date for coverage is January 1, 2007.
There is still some question as to whether there will be a penalty imposed
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State of CT Department of Transportation Grant Application—
We have heard
that we are conditionally approved for this grant. Once approved, we will receive
$29, 156 for each of the next two fiscal years to add approximately 17 more hours of
service to our current dial-a-ride program beginning July 1, 2006. We will do this by
purchasing this service through the Bristol Community Organization. We will
contract for them for a driver and a vehicle three days a week. More information will
be available once we have the final approval of this grant.
Minutes of the Commission For The Aging – May 15, 2006 - Page 4
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Renter’s Rebate Program
—We will begin taking applications for Renter’s Rebate
June 8, 2006. The program is based on expenses for 2005 and runs through
September15, 2006. Tina and I will again be doing them on the computer. We filed
96 applications in 2004, 125 applications in 2005 and anticipate a slight increase this
year.
Senior Center Director’s Report
Monday, May 15, 2006
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On Friday, April 21, a representative from Kensington Hearing Services offered
free hearing tests here at the Berlin Senior Center. We had 11 seniors take
advantage of this program.
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On Friday, April 28 we had the Glastonbury Ukulele Band (12 uke players – all
seniors) come and entertain here at the senior center. They passed out
sing-a-long sheets and invited everyone to join in the music. After the program,
we served refreshments to 64 seniors.
May is Older Americans Month and this week is National Senior Center Week and
we are celebrating by having a special program every day this week.
This morning we served a continental breakfast to 47 seniors and they enjoyed
the music of accordionist, Betty Biolo, an 80-year young senior from Waterbury,
who has been playing the accordion for over 60 years!
And this evening we had an intergenerational program for seniors and their
kids and grandkids. It was a magic show with magician Chick Kellman and he
entertained 65 people. Refreshments were served.
Tuesday we will have a pizza lunch and entertainment by vocalist Roger Edward
Monfette. We have 84 people signed up for this program.
Wednesday, McGee Middle School has invited our seniors to tour the school,
enjoy a performance by the Chorus and the Jazz Band and to have lunch at
the school A bus (provided by the Board of Education) will transport the seniors
from the senior center to the school.
And on Thursday, the seniors will enjoy the Commission For the Aging Party.
We end the celebration on Friday with a trip down memory lane. HealthNet
is sponsoring a documentary on Savin Rock in New Haven, providing an
entertainer and a hot dog and popcorn treat for the seniors.