2022-01-24
TOWN OF BERLIN
COMMISSION FOR THE AGING
Minutes of Monday, January 24, 2022
* In Person Meeting * 5:00 P.M.
*Meeting held in person & open to the Public, on Zoom or by phone. Note new time of
meeting.
Members in Attendance:
Barbara Gombotz, Chairwoman
Frank J. Slogeris
Lois Ustanowski
Kay Murray
Absent:
Ann Gamelin
Staff in Attendance:
Victoria Hellberg, Assistant Senior Center Director
Juliet Benjamin, Secretary
1. Call to Order:
Chairman Gombotz called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.
2. Roll Call:
Present: Barbara Gombotz Chairman, Frank Slogeris, Lois
Ustanowski, Kay Murray.
Absent: Ann Gamelin.
3. Approval of Minutes – December 6, 2021 Special Meeting:
A correction was noted to the Agenda which listed the date of the
minutes as November 29, 2021 and it should have been December 6,
2021. After discussion, Commissioner Slogeris made a motion to accept
the Minutes of Monday, December 6, 2021 as written. Commissioner
Murray seconded the motion & the Minutes were unanimously approved.
4. Audience of Citizens:
None
5. Senior Center Directors Report – Tina Doyle:
No report from Director Doyle this month. Update to follow in
Minutes of the next meeting.
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Commission for the Aging - 1/24/2022
6. Town Housing Report – Ann Gamelin:
Unfortunately, Commissioner Gamelin was not present at this
meeting. Update on the Town Housing Report at the next meeting.
Commissioners discussed the articles in area newspapers
regarding the Knights of Columbus building being taken down so that 50
new senior apartments can be built. This project has been in progress
for several years and it is good to see that it is finally moving along.
A Housing Survey Form is available at several locations in Town
and Chairman Gombotz is encouraging residents to fill out a form either
by paper or email.
7. Senior Center/Community Center Report – B. Gombotz:
Chairman Gombotz noted that the Advisory Committee for the new
Senior Center/Community Center met again last week. She noted that
she is very impressed with the members of the committee. They have
gone to nine different sites, including Branford, Windham & Rocky Hill
where the new center is still under construction. She noted that the
Meriden Y is interested in joining with the Town of Berlin for our new
Senior/Community Center. Chairman Gombotz is asking for input on
this item from the public. She would like to collect questions about pros
and cons of joining with the Y for the new center. Some senior concerns
would be the cost of joining the Y and cost of individual programs. Also,
whether Berlin Seniors would be limited in the time that they could use
the pool, etc.
The question came up that if the Town constructs the building
alone are there grants available. It was suggested that the Town look at
a professional fundraising company to do a fundraiser for the building.
The Town could interview three fundraising companies for input in the
project. It was agreed that a public meeting be held at the Senior Center
sometime in April to give the public an opportunity to comment on the
project and have representatives from the Town and the Y to provide
information. Chairman Gombotz asked Assistant Senior Center Director
Hellberg to look into dates in April to hold this meeting.
8. Old Business:
Chairman Gombotz noted that the Commissioners had attended
the appreciation night at the Bungalow for all commission members.
She was encouraged by comments from people attending that they were
glad to see that new housing and plans for a new Senior/Community
Center are moving forward.
9. New Business:
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Commission for the Aging - 1/24/2022
Assistant Director Hellberg noted that the congregate luncheons at
the Senior Center will not be held during the month of February.
Commissioner Murray noted she had to look for a Covid test and
went to the new Hartford Healthcare Facility on Webster Square Road
(former Kathy’s Urgent Care). She felt that there should have been a
distribution center for testing and masks located at the Senior Center in
addition to Sage Park. Many seniors avoid crossing over to the Berlin
Turnpike because of the large amount of traffic and the speed of that
traffic.
10. Motion to Adjourn:
Commissioner Slogeris made a motion to adjourn the meeting at
6:05 pm. Commissioner Murray seconded the motion & it was
unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted, Juliet K. Benjamin, Secretary