COMMISSION ON AGING
MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, January 10, 2019
HERITAGE CENTER
Commission members present:
Ingrid Heller & Karen de Friesse – Co-Chair, Jean Rexford, Hilda Rhodes, Rosalind Kopfstein, Janet Metzger
*Alternates-Sarah Atwood & Mary Dale Lancaster
*Ruth Moran-Senior Center Director
Guests: Anita Taylor, Meadow Ridge
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m.
I. Approval of Minutes from December 2017
Motion: Minutes approved with changes noted below, December 2017
Motion: Jean Rexford, Janet Metzger (second), Unanimous
Changes– Page 2, paragraph 3; remove dash next to “she explained”, Line 7, nom-medical business to non-medical business
II. Senior Center Program Report – Ruth Moran
-Ruth distributed Activity/financial sheet, a brief discussion ensued. Ruth explained the movie night, the holiday luncheon, and Lunch and Learn were successful events for December.
-Ruth is looking into advertising events, in surrounding town publications, Bethel and Danbury specifically.
-Class numbers are slightly lower than normal due to the holidays/health issues amongst participants.
-Ruth reported on a member of the Bridge group who has a medical issue. Discussion followed on how to reach out to help him.
-Ruth discussed a workshop she attended on the implications of the new tax law and its impact on seniors. A workshop is being offered on January 24th, at the Heritage Center, to assist seniors in understanding the upcoming changes.
-The clay class is now running self-guided with Ruth’s guidance. This class will run through March.
-Although the Art class has low numbers, the attendees are loyal to the class and Ruth feels it is important to continue to hold the class. Commission agrees that this fosters a sense of community.
-Commission discussed creating a volunteer list to help meet the needs of the center. This can be advertised in area publications.
-Ruth is going to contact the town library to discuss advertising Heritage Center events within the library.
III. Director’s Report – Angelica Fontanez (ABSENT)
-Angelica was absent from the meeting. Her monthly report was discussed.
-Jean Rexford raised concern that obtaining energy assistance is a long application process for seniors.
-Angelica obtained significant donations in the month of December. Commission discussed possible uses for this fund.
IV. Additional Business
-Commission discussed the voting power of seniors.
-Anita Taylor reported that the Weight Watchers program is looking to launch, but needs participants. Anita would like to advertise at the Heritage Center to spread the word. Anita will report back on the cost of the program.
-Anita Taylor discussed the positive feedback from Meadow Ridge residents regarding the Harp concert. Residents enjoyed the program and requested similar events.
-Mary Dale Lancaster would like to work with Angelica and the commission to increase transportation resources for Redding seniors.
V. Commissioner’s Report
Nothing at this time.
Motion to adjourn: de Friesse, Heller (second), unanimous.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:03am.
NEXT COA MEETING WILL BE FEBRUARY 14, 2018.
Minutes prepared by Kimberly Keil