TOWN OF REDDING
COMMISSION ON AGING
MEETING MINUTES
July 6, 2016
Commission members: Beth Wagner, Janet Metzger, Lea Mintz, Ingrid Heller, Jean Whitham, Henry Polio. Hilda Rhodes
Others present: Angelica Fontanez, Ruth Moran, Maria Jordan (MSW), Julia Pemberton, Steve Montana (Home Watch Caregivers), and Karen deFreisse.
Mrs. Wagner called the July 6, 2016 meeting to order at 9:00 am in the Redding Community Center
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the minutes of the meeting of June 1, 2016 be accepted as submitted. Metzger, Mintz. Approved. Unanimous.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Angelica Fontanez highlighted her written report of activities during the month of June. She noted that the Salvation Army program is helpful as the funds can be used for things other than utility fees, transportation and medical expenses. She can use the program to provide needed school supplies, gift cards for shoes and other basic necessities. Ms. Fontanez included a listing of CT towns and the amount of funding each receives in assistance programs, primarily for basic heating. The report indicated 21 families in Redding who received assistance.
Front desk position: a part time person (25 hours/week) has been hired. Annette D’Augelli will begin work next Monday. She will be at the front desk, answer questions/phone, and assist where needed.
Van: Usage for the second quarter of the year was 411 trips, with the bulk of the trips, 242, for medical purposes.
SENIOR CENTER PROGRAM REPORT
Ruth Moran provided a written report on the average attendance at classes and no-fee events/classes.
She highlighted programs planned for the fall, including a Lunch & Learn with Jean Rexford on patient advocacy, and a travel presentation by Jim Lang. The Senior Garden is thriving, with lettuces, veggies, and soon to ripen tomatoes.
The Redding Garden Club is planning a event that will feature the quilts of the Redding quilters. This is scheduled for the last Sunday in September. Details are still being worked out.
OTHER BUSINESS
AED Training: Mrs. Wagner reported this training has been postponed to the fall. The plan is to do the training on a Wednesday, other than a Commission meeting, and to invite the Discussion Group to participate. The goal is to have more people familiar with how to use the AED in the event of an emergency.
Mrs. Wagner noted that both Karen deFreisse and Jean Wexford have indicated an interest in serving on the Commission on Aging. Those names will be forwarded to the First Selectman.
Election of officers: Both Beth and Janet have agreed to continue as Chairman and Vice Chairman.
Motion: move that Beth Wager be Chairman of the Commission on Aging and Janet Metzger be the Vice Chairman. Whitham, Mintz. Approved. Unanimous.
Computers: Mrs. Pemberton reported that seven new computers have been ordered for the Computer Lab. These are expected to be installed very soon and will be a significant improvement for the Photoshop classes.
Senior Watch: discussion followed on how best to monitor seniors who are living alone and may need assistance. Suggestions included friendly phone calls, neighbors checking, or a program that included others such as the Neighbors & Newcomers group. There are a number of seniors in Redding who live alone and may need assistance occasionally. This discussion will continue at the next meeting.
NEXT MEETING
September 7, 2016, 9 am in the Town Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
The Chair adjourned the meeting at 10:05 am
Submitted by Mary Maday, Recording Secretary