TOWN OF SOMERS
SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD
CORRECTED MINUTES OF
FEBRUARY 10, 2004 MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting called to order at 1:05 P.M. by Municipal Agent Jim Burgess.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Burgess, Pat Broer, Elaine Bemont, Alice D’Arcy, Leone Lakonski, Dora Randall and Arlene Yarnes.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Norma Keeney and Loyal Madden.
VISITOR(S): Ray Trask
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of January 13, 2004 meeting accepted by Arlene Yarnes and seconded by Pat Broer.
CORRESPONDENCE: No new correspondence to report on.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Meals on Wheels – As of 01/31/2004, the savings account balance was
$12,893.39 after a withdrawal of
$500. Checking account balance was
$773.22 after deposits of $1,592.00 and disbursements of $1,731.50. Nineteen clients were served 474 meals with
a subsidized amount of $537.00 for the period of 01/01/2004 to 01/31/2004.
“Birthday of the Month” celebration has been incorporated into the monthly pot luck. This was first done in the month of January and went over very well.
Senior Lunches – Arlene Yarnes reported that the next luncheon will be held on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 at the Congregational Church in Somers. Sign-up sheet is available at the Senior Center and information sheets have been distributed to the various churches.
Trips – Bus trips/bus and show trips are planned for Mohegan Sun Casino on April 1 and June 14, 2004. April 1 show is Michael Amante and June 14 will be Vicki Lawrence and Mamma. There is also a show being planned for the month of November. Lou Ryder can collect monies for these trips and will put the money aside for Pat Broer.
OLD BUSINESS:
Municipal Agent Budget – Jim Burgess had a meeting with the First Selectman. There was a 4% limit on the budget which had been approved by the Finance Board. The Senior Advisory Board is to assist Jim with this budget in the future. Questions still arise as to the amount of state and federal money allowed the town for senior use.
Calendar of future meetings was given to all Senior Advisory Board members as well as a listing of names and addresses of board members. SomersNow.com needs to be updated with board members names.
NEW BUSINESS:
New hours at the Senior Center – Jim reported that business is quiet during the afternoon hours. Perhaps we need to advertise more that he is here from noon until four o’clock.
Social Services and Assistant to Municipal Agent – This position, formerly held by Elaine Friedman, has been transferred back to the First Selectman’s office. Connie Carenzo now holds the position of Social Services Director.
Volunteers from Senior Center Club – Ray Trask will be in charge of volunteers for helping out when the Municipal Agent has to attend meetings, etc.
Responsibilities of Senior Advisory Board Members – Our responsibility is to advise the Municipal Agent.
COMMENTS:
We are continuing to look for new ways to interest other citizens in town on what is available to them from their local senior center. An Open House at the Senior Center is being planned for Saturday, April 10, 2004 from one to five o’clock.
A calendar of events for the month placed on the tables at the Center should help make people aware of what is happening during that month.
A request for a new bus should be put into the State by the Municipal Agent. State funds 80% of the cost of this bus.
The year 2005 will mark the fifteenth anniversary of our senior center. We will be looking for activities to help with this celebration – perhaps a special event each month.
An idea was presented to make a memorial garden to honor Carol Dion.
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 2:04 P.M. by motion of Alice D’Arcy and seconded by Arlene Yarnes.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine L. Bemont, Secretary