TOWN OF REDDING
COMMISSION ON AGING
MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, July 5, 2017
HERITAGE CENTER
Commission members present:
Beth Wagner – Chair, Karen de Friesse, Ingrid Heller, Hilda Rhodes, Janet Metzger
Angelica Fontanez – Director of Social Services
Ruth Moran – Program Coordinator of Heritage Center
Guests: Julia Pemberton, First Selectman
The meeting was called to order at 9:05 a.m.
I. Approval of Minutes from June 2017
Motion: Minutes approved as recorded June 2017 – unanimous.
Heller, Rhodes
II. Senior Center Program Report – Ruth Moran
Ruth talked about the yearly events including the June Ice Cream Social and Current Events at which Julia Pemberton discussed the ongoing Gilbert and Bennett property. Ruth was disappointed that few people showed up for the “Difficult Conversations” and felt we needed to pause on any more end of life programs. Currently, Ruth is ready to start the “Salad Café” – a salad made with produce from the senior garden. Caraluzzi’s is donating some aluminum pans and the salads will be sold for $3.00 on Thursdays between 11:45 to 12:45. Beth wondered if there was a way to deliver some salads to homebound seniors and Angelica agreed to look into. Ruth would also like to purchase some gift cards for the students helping out with the garden.
There are a couple of trips being planned; Essex Steam Train and the Terra Cotta Warriors in Philadelphia. Ruth has been researching a bus to go to Essex with a cost of $700.00, which might have to be subsidized by the Center. The trip to Essex currently has about 10 people and the Warrior exhibit trip is almost sold out.
Ruth discussed the year to date financial status of the programs including the one-time fee to the Genealogy instructor. The Center is currently collecting 2/3 of the fees from attendees. Ruth hoped to get more people interested in the new direction of health and fitness
III. Director’s Report – Angelica Fontanez
Angelica talked about a wellness visit with RVNA involvement trying to work out some arrangement where a daily aide could visit for an hour or two. There was also a case where a drug savings card was denied because the participant has not enrolled in Medicare Part D which Angelica is working to resolve. Food Pantry visits were lower along with gas and oil requests due to the summer.
The clothes consignment from Meadow Ridge is proving to be challenging with a lot of clothes simply being donated. The United Way is helping with camp subsidies including enrichment programs. Donations were an odd number because of spouse’s death and pennies saved being donated.
Angelica will be meeting with Val from the Easton Senior Center to look into different ways to fund senior activities. The need for an available van for excursions was again discussed as a possibility if a means of funding could be found.
IV. Commissioner’s Report – Beth Wagner
Beth put forth Ingrid Heller and Karen de Friesse as nominees for co-chairs of the COA. Hilda Rhodes seconded and the vote was unanimous. Beth will prep both chairs at a later date
V. New Business
Julia Pemberton spoke to the commission regarding the Gilbert and Bennet property and the misinformation currently circulated. She hopes to have another public forum as soon as possible. She also spoke about a new group, The Redding Civic League, whose stated mission is to reconcile the Board of Finance and the Board of Education. Julia also discussed the lack of budget at the state level and the uncertainty involved. The senior tax credit is again being brought up.
There was no additional business presented before the Commission; the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 am.
The next COA meeting is scheduled for September 6, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. at Town Hall.
Minutes prepared by Karen de Friesse