TOWN OF SOMERS

SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD

MINUTES OF APRIL 12, 2005 MEETING

CALL TO ORDER: Meeting called to order at 1:05 P.M. by Jim Burgess.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Pat Bachetti, Elaine Bemont, Jim Burgess, Donna Doyker, Barbara Flebotte, Dorothy Hillman, Myrtle Pixley and Arlene Yarnes

MEMBERS ABSENT: Alice D’Arcy.

VISITOR(S): First Selectman David Pinney

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of March 15, 2005 meeting accepted by Pat Bachetti and seconded by Myrtle Pixley.

CORRESPONDENCE: None

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Meals on Wheels – As of 3/31/05, the savings account balance was $10,460.62 with no withdrawals this month. Checking account balance was $1,784.71 after deposits of $1,326.00 and disbursements of $1,720.00. Fifteen clients were served 569 meals with a subsidized amount of $580 for the period of 3/1/05 though 3/31/05. The question of delivering meals on wheels to a resident outside of Somers was discussed. Consensus was that meals need to be limited to Somers residents.

Senior Center – Myrtle Pixley made the following announcements:

· Shirley Dolby and the Beautification Committee, along with an Eagle Scout working on a civic project, will be adorning the Somers Senior Center grounds in the near future.

· Outside blinking lights for use at seniors homes is being discussed. A member of the Somers Fire Dept. will have more info on this item in the near future.

· The Somers Seniors Prom will be held at the Center on Friday evening, May 20^th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.

· A game night will be held from 2:00 to 4:15 at the Center on Wednesday, April 13^th.

· A questionnaire is being prepared which will be included in the newsletter to go out to all seniors regarding senior lunches, services, etc. The purpose is to interest more seniors in the goings on at their Senior Center.

Senior Lunches – Arlene Yarnes reported that the next luncheon planned by the Advisory Board will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at the Somers Congregational Church and sponsored by the Somers Women’s Club. Fifty-seven seniors are currently signed up for this dinner. The May luncheon will be held at the High School on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 and is limited to sixty people.

Communications/Senior Newsletter – Barbara Flebotte reported the Somers Seniors news was published in the Journal Inquirer on March 21. News has to be in their hands two weeks before the end of the month and will be published as space is available. Barbara will be checking into other area newspapers to see if the Senior news items can be published. Monthly newsletter went out timely with the help of many people. The last Wednesday of the month, following the luncheon, will be prep time for getting the letter ready for mailing.

OLD BUSINESS:

Senior Summit Discussion -

• Directory of Senior Services is being prepared and will be distributed to all seniors very soon. It has to be tweaked a little more.
• Some misunderstanding exists as to participation in Somers Senior Center activities vs. Somers Senior Center club activities. One needs not be a paid member of the Club in order to participate in activities. The only privilege lost is the right to vote at meetings.
• Somers senior bus will be replaced with a new vehicle shortly. It is hoped to be able to keep the old bus running as well – at least for special activities.
• Outreach method needed to reach those seniors who have lost contact with the outside world. We do not know how many people are out there in this situation. Outreach help is also needed for those “sandwich” families who are trying to bridge multiple generations. Any ideas are welcome.
• Somers Emergency Plan – information is needed as to where to go and what to do. Somers does have a Director of Emergency Management – Joseph Tolisano – who is in a volunteer position.

NEW BUSINESS:

Alice D’Arcy Replacement – Alice will be resigning from the board due to poor health. Replacement may be made by First Selectman or if anyone knows of someone who would be interested in replacing her, please let Jim Burgess know.

Advisory Board Responsibilities – Jim gave board members a copy of Somers Code 5-17, Advisory Committee to the Elderly – The Powers and Duties of Advisory Committee to the Elderly. We need to read this over carefully.

COMMENTS:

Dave Pinney gave board members a copy of the Seniors budget for 2004-2005 with a breakdown of expenses. One can see where problem areas might lie.

Barbara Flebotte questioned why we don’t have scheduled board meetings during July and August. This item will be brought up at the next meeting.

ADJOURNMENT: Adjournment at 2:45 P.M. by motion of Barbara Flebotte and seconded by Pat Bachetti..

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine L. Bemont, Secretary

MINUTES NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED AT SUBSEQUENT MEETING