TOWN OF SOMERS
SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES OF JANUARY 10, 2006
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, Myrtle Pixley, Joan Sizer and First Selectman David Pinney.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Donna Doyker
VISITOR(S): None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of December 13, 2005 meeting accepted by Barbara Flebotte and seconded by Joan Sizer upon one correction being made. Arlene Yarnes would be looking further into the swimming at Monson – not Barbara Flebotte.
CORRESPONDENCE: None
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Meals on Wheels – David Pinney reported that eighteen families have
been served a total of 457 meals at a cost of $1,688 paid to the Plaza
Restaurant for the month of December.
$1,233 was billed to clients and there was a subsidized amount of $455
for the month. Received was a donation
of $2,500 from the Virginia and Earl Jahn Fund. This donation normally was $5,000 but a total of $2500 was
designated for the Emergency Fund this
year. This split will be hurtful to the
Meals on Wheels program. Dave Pinney is
going to look into the possibility of having this program endorsed as an
approved vendor and perhaps acquire some funds that way. Income guidelines would need to be in
place. More info on this should be
available next month. The Advisory
Board is willing to help in any way possible with this program.
Senior Center – President Joan Sizer announced that the holiday
luncheon was held on Wednesday, December 21.
Approximately 85 people attended this event. A good time was had by all.
Senior Lunches – Arlene Yarnes was not in attendance but left word with Jim Burgess that the next luncheon will be held on February 28th at the Somers Congregational Church.
Communications/Senior Newsletter – Barbara Flebotte reported that the deadline for news for the March/April newsletter is February 15th due to the short month and Presidents Day. Folding will be done on Wednesday, February 22nd.
Senior Center Sign, Tax Program, School Liaison – Donna Doyker was not here today to update us on this.
Senior Support Services – Pat Bachetti has been busy visiting Somers patients at Evergreen and Blair Manor and works with the Social Workers at these facilities. She may check in with the Caring Committees of the various churches to see if there are other patients in need of her visit.
OLD BUSINESS:
Policy Statement – There seems to be three items referencing the Senior Advisory Board. One is Somersnow.com, another is Somers Code 5-17 – Advisory Committee to the Elderly, and the third is a Town of Somers Policy statement from the year 1991. Why do we have three? David Pinney will review the Powers and Duties of Advisory Committee to the Elderly items and seek a seal of endorsement by the Board of Selectmen. The Policy Statement from the Town of Somers dated in 1991 needs some review and rewording for update.
Newsletter – The holiday period proved to be a difficult time for getting the newsletter run off and ready for bulk mailing. Problem also appears in getting a check cut for the precise amount necessary for mailing. This amount varies each time. We are open to more and better ways to getting this production out bi-monthly.
A list of seniors 50 and over has been provided by the Regiatrar of Voters. This list would need to be downloaded etc. to be useful for the newsletter. The cover sheet is needed to provide what the various code columns mean.
NEW BUSINESS:
Meeting Schedule – The 2006 schedule was prepared and provided to the Town Clerk in December. A copy was given to each board member. Meetings are scheduled monthly but we can opt not to hold them in the summer months if we decide to do so. Barbara Flebotte made a motion to accept the schedule list as presented. This was seconded by Myrtle Pixley.
COMMENTS:
Pat Bachetti was thanked for providing refreshments for the Board at this meeting. She also came with a thank-you gift for Connie Carenzo for her help with the newsletter. A card was signed by the members of the board and was delivered to Connie.
ADJOURNMENT: Adjournment at 2:210 P.M. by motion of Pat Bachetti and seconded by Joan Sizer.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine L. Bemont, Secretary