TOWN OF SOMERS
SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 13, 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, Barbara Flebotte, Dorothy Hillman, Joan Sizer and Arlene Yarnes.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Donna Doyker, Myrtle Pixley, First Selectman Dave Pinney.
VISITOR(S): None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of November 1, 2005 meeting accepted by Pat Bachetti and seconded by Arlene Yarnes.
CORRESPONDENCE: None received by Municipal Agent. Newsletter editor Barbara Flebotte received note from Mary Paakkonen regarding swimming in Monson and stating that the water is very warm. Barbara will find out more about this for us.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Meals on Wheels – No report available for the month of November. First Selectman David Pinney would have this
information.
Senior Center – President Joan Sizer announced that the holiday
party luncheon will be held on Wednesday, December 21. Approximately 80 people are signed up for
this event.
Senior Lunches – Arlene Yarnes reported that the next luncheon will be held in February at the Somers Congregational Church.
Communications/Senior Newsletter – Question arose as to whether there should be a combined January/February newsletter or a monthly one. Jim Burgess will check with Dave Pinney to see how he feels. It has become a monetary issue. Barbara Flebotte will be sending her information to the JI later this week.
Senior Center Sign – Donna Doyker was not here today to update us on this.
Senior Support Services – Pat Bachetti has phone numbers, etc. of local people in the various nursing homes and is making an effort to visit each one of them.
Tax Program – Donna Doyker was not available today to fill us in on this.
School Liaison – Myrtle Pixley/Donna Doyker were not here. Clarification has to be made as to how this assignment will be handled.
OLD BUSINESS:
Suggestions for questions for Seniors Newsletter – It was agreed that members’ questions will be posted in the newsletter and assigned to the proper person for answers.
It was suggested that we request a copy of the voter registration list for people in town who are 50 years of age or older. This list would need their name, address and phone number only. We feel that there still are a lot of seniors that we are currently not reaching.
Advisory Board Sponsor Program – This item will be put aside until spring as we try to come up with ideas for a program this board can sponsor.
Agenda Items from Board – If you have an item you would like included as part of the agenda, be sure to let Jim Burgess know 10-14 days prior to the next advisory board meeting so it can be included.
NEW BUSINESS:
Members Assignments – Assignments have been working well. Clarification still needed on school liaison duties.
Review Policy Statement – It was felt a formal recommendation should be made to the Selectman’s Office regarding updating/changes to the current policy statement for the Advisory Board. Current statement is dated 6/11/91. The board can make recommendations to the selectman if he chooses.
COMMENTS:
Concern was presented regarding Bill McCloskey working with the seniors on the Medicare Part D program. It was hoped his purpose was to help the seniors with their selections rather than becoming more of a personal business venture. Bill has been recognized as part of the CHOICES program so it is believed his purpose is ethical.
Help is needed in the folding, etc. of the newsletter each time it is printed. It takes 15-20 man hours to get the newsletter ready for mailing. Joan Sizer will ask for volunteers at the luncheons. Five to seven people are needed to do this.
ADJOURNMENT: Adjournment at 2:10 P.M. by motion of Arlene Yarnes and seconded by Pat Bachetti.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine L. Bemont, Secretary