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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 th 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 th 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 ? 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 ? 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 ? 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 st 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. th 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.