TOWN OF SOMERS
SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES OF JUNE 13, 2006
MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting called to order at 11:00 P.M. by Jim Burgess.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Pat Bachetti, Elaine Bemont, Jim Burgess, Donna Doyker, Barbara Flebotte, Dorothy Hillman, Myrtle Pixley, Joan Sizer and Arlene Yarnes. Also present was First Selectman David Pinney.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
VISITOR(S): None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of May 23, 2006 meeting accepted by Barbara Flebotte and seconded by Joan Sizer.
CORRESPONDENCE: Info letter received regarding Four Town Fair Parade to be held on Saturday, September 16, 2006.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Meals on Wheels – David Pinney reported that seventeen clients were receiving meals during the month of May. Cost of meals was $1,770. $1,287 was billed to clients and $483 was amount subsidized by the town. Balance remaining in account is $7,205.65. A meeting will be held with the drivers on 6/14 to talk about the program and receive feedback. A newly retired person may be interested in taking over the program. A way to receive additional monies needs to be looked into to help keep this program going.
Senior Center – Home & community Health Services spoke at a luncheon on hypertension. Next speaker will be in September. July 8th will be the senior picnic and July 15th is the date for the Arts and Crafts Show to be held at the senior center. Catered meals will be held in July and August. There will be no pot luck those two months.
Senior Lunches – Lunches have ended for the season. If anyone knows of a possible place for the September luncheon, please let Arlene Yarnes know.
Communications/Senior Newsletter – Next newsletter will be published at the end of June for the months of July and August. News items will continue to be published in the JI and the North Central News. The Reminder was contacted but space is too restricted to put articles in there. Utilization chart was updated by Barbara and will be updated on a yearly basis in the future. This is just a guide as to how the Center is being used.
Senior Center Sign - Donna Doyker has merged her letters with those at the town hall. There are now plenty to go around.
School Liaison – Donna Doyker stated that the middle school students need the most attention in this area. Hopefully, more will come of this in the fall. Joan Sizer continues to talk with Dr. Vespe on ways seniors may be of help to the students.
Senior Support Services – Pat Bachetti is keeping in touch with her people. She has found this program to be very rewarding.
OLD BUSINESS:
Time of Meeting – By poll of members, majority wish meeting time to be 11:00.
Powers Duties of Sr. Adv. Bd – Dave Pinney and Barbara Flebotte are working this issue and should have more information at the next meeting.
News Release Letter – A signed letter seeking information from various town agencies has been placed in their mail boxes. Barbara Flebotte is waiting for responses.
H. Broer Letter – An answer has been prepared to Mr. Broer’s question. Question and answer will appear in the next newsletter.
Tax Relief for the Elderly – Pat Bachetti had a little more information on the tax relief question. It appears that a tax freeze is a negative way to go.
NEW BUSINESS:
Norma Meyer Hours – Norma will be working six hour days for the month of June due to some additional funding provided by Easter Seals.
Senior Bus – Advisory Board was advised as to the use of the bus. The new bus should be here in another week or so. Ways need to be found to solicit and accommodate use.
COMMENTS:
It is important that the Advisory Board petition the selectmen to advocate for the seniors’ needs in this town. Several members will do so at the selectmen’s meeting on 6/26.
Next meeting will be held on Tuesdy, July 11, 2006 at 11:00 A.M.
ADJOURNMENT: Adjournment at 12:30 by motion of Joan Sizer and seconded by Arlene Yarnes.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine L. Bemont, Secretary