Minutes
Commission members: Beth Wagner, Chairman, Hilda Rhodes, Ingrid Heller, Henry Polio, Janet Metzger, Lea Mintz
Others present: Gail Schiron, Marie Sibilio, Ruth Moran, Julia Pemberton
Mrs. Wagner called the September 2, 2015 meeting to order at 9:00 am in the Town Hall Conference Room.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the minutes of the meeting of July 1, 2015 be accepted as submitted. Metzger, Heller. Approved. Unanimous.
REPORT FROM DIRECTOR OF HUMAN SERVICES
Mrs. Schiron reported the following:
- Van Service, the trial run for Friday 1/2 day van service in July resulted in very little call for the service. Two individuals used the van. Because it was a summer month, another trial period in the fall will be scheduled. Mrs. Wagner asked for van usage statistics for each month, and suggested they include the purpose of the ride, medical versus other need.
- Emergency contact list: the list is being updated.
- Three seniors used the food pantry in July & August.
- Staff changes: job descriptions have changed to reflect the duties of each position. Marie will be the Senior Center Coordinator and her duties will now include financial reporting and preparation of the Senior Center budget. Ruth will be the Senior Center Program Coordinator. She will be working 15-22 hours each week, Tuesday with flex time, and all day on Wednesday & Thursday.
SENIOR CENTER COORDINATOR REPORT
Marie Sibilio reported on class participation: Program attendance: most of the programs in July were offered at no cost to make up for the issues and inconvenience with the air conditioning. Revenue for August totaled $625. The program revenue is budgeted at $1,200 for the year.
Attendance for August was down, likely due to summer vacations. September attendance will be low as most programs are not being offered for 3 weeks due to the Mark Twain Library Book Fair setup, sale and clean up. It was noted that there is a loss in revenue/inability to offer programs during the Book Fair as well as when the Garden Club meets, elections, etc.
There was discussion of offering the programs in alternative locations, such as the big gym, the Town Hall Hearing Room, the Library, etc. Mrs. Pemberton suggested that more creativity is needed in finding opportunities for the programs that are generally cancelled due to these conflicts.
SENIOR CENTER COORDINATOR REPORT
Ruth Moran reviewed some of the upcoming programs. She has planned some trips, but there seems to be little interest. She will also be talking with the Bethel Senior Center Director to see if a partnership could be developed. She also suggested that the audience for programs needs to be expanded, suggesting a program that would be helpful to the children of seniors on what they need to do to make seniors more comfortable in their (the children or the seniors) home.
Ruth asked for Commission members to volunteer to meet with her to brain storm for some new ideas to consider for programs and events. Hilda, Henry & Ingrid offered to meet with her.
Ingrid Heller will be one of the readers in the Open Mic night for the Memoir Program. That program will be at the library.
FINANCIAL HOUSEKEEPING PROGRAM
Beth suggested a program, a lunch & learn program, would be helpful. The concept is to create a worksheet of important information regarding health, home, contacts, etc. in the event of impairment or illness. This will be planned for the fall.
HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR
Mrs. Pemberton noted that with the planned January 2016 retirement of Gail Schiron, the position will be advertised. Mr. Polio commented that many are disappointed that Gail plans to retire and have been very complimentary of the work she does for the seniors in Redding.
NEXT MEETING
October 7, 2015, 9 am in the Senior Center.
ADJOURNMENT
The Chair adjourned the meeting at 10:05 am.
Submitted by Mary Maday, Recording Secretary