2022-03-21
TOWN OF BERLIN
COMMISSION FOR THE AGING
Minutes of Monday, March 21, 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
Ann Gamelin
Guest: Peter Zarabozo, 158 Ellwood Rd
Staff in Attendance:
Tina Doyle, Senior Center Director
Juliet Benjamin, Secretary
1. Call to Order:
Chairman Gombotz called the meeting to order at 5:05 P.M.
2. Roll Call:
Present: Barbara Gombotz Chairman, Frank Slogeris, Lois
Ustanowski, Kay Murray, Ann Gamelin.
3. Approval of Minutes – January 24, 2022 Meeting:
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.
Chairman Gombotz Annual Report for the Commission for the
Aging that was sent to the Town Council was included in the last
mailing.
4. Audience of Citizens:
Resident Peter Zarabozo spoke concerning the redistricting of
polling places and elimination of two polling stations within the Town.
He noted that the Senior Center would no longer be a polling place,
which would directly affect the senior population. The Town Council will
th
be meeting to discuss this item on April 5 @ 6:30. Commissioners
were very concerned about these changes and felt that they would
adversely affect the seniors. The seniors at Percival Heights now have
only to walk down the hall to cast their vote. With the change from five
polling places to three they would have to arrange for transportation to
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Commission for the Aging - 3/21/2022
another site. Many of the seniors use walkers and wheelchairs and this
would be very inconvenient for them. Plus, with the elimination of two
polling places it would probably mean longer lines and the seniors would
have trouble waiting in line for long periods of time. The seniors would
have to depend on party affiliated transportation since the Senior Center
by law cannot provide transportation for voting. Commissioners felt it
important for them and any other concerned senior to either attend the
meeting in person or by Zoom.
5. Election of Officers:
Commissioner Slogeris made a motion to nominate Barbara
Gombotz to continue as Chairman of the Commission. Commissioner
Murray seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Commissioner Ustanowski made a motion to nominate Frank
Slogeris as Vice Chairman. Commissioner Murray seconded the motion
and it was unanimously approved.
6. Senior Center Directors Report – Tina Doyle:
Director Doyle is now back to work at the Senior Center and she
will have a report for the next meeting. Director Doyle stated that she
had to applaud her staff for doing such a wonderful job filling in during
her absence. She asked for suggestions for new items that she could add
to her report. Chairman Gombotz noted that it is helpful that she
includes the count of people attending the center. Director Doyle said
that she will include duplicated numbers (people attending two functions
within one day) and non-duplicated numbers.
7. Town Housing Report – Ann Gamelin:
Commissioner Gamelin said she has been pleased with the support
of the housing priority group and discussions regarding senior affordable
housing for age 55 and over. She said they have received complaints of
diminished services at the Percival Heights complex. It was suggested
that the tenants get together and voice their complaints. Commissioner
Gombotz noted that she would call Housing Authority Chairman Joe
Bajorski because he has been very helpful in resolving issues in the past.
8. Senior Center/Community Center Report – B. Gombotz:
Chairman Gombotz noted that the Advisory Committee for the new
Senior Center/Community Center has visited facilities at eight different
sites in Connecticut and met with representatives from the New Britain-
Meriden-Berlin YMCA regarding a possible joint effort regarding the new
center. She distributed copies of the article from the New Britain Herald
from Wednesday, March 9, 2022. Her biggest concern is that the YMCA
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Commission for the Aging - 3/21/2022
does not offer any programs for seniors, so it would be the responsibility
of the Town of Berlin to provide for those programs. The Committee will
have to outweigh the benefits against the drawbacks and review all
options before making any decisions.
9. Old Business:
10. New Business:
New Senior Housing - Chairman Gombotz noted that she had
spoken with Housing Authority Chairman Bajorski and he stated that
there will be a third environmental study on the former Knights of
Columbus building before demolition can begin. He hopes to begin
demolition around the end of April 2022 with construction on the new
senior housing to begin in the fall. He estimated that it would take
approximately 1-1/2 years to complete construction.
11. Motion to Adjourn:
Commissioner Slogeris made a motion to adjourn the meeting at
6:20 pm. Commissioner Ustanowski seconded the motion & it was
unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted, Juliet K. Benjamin, Secretary