[NOTE: These minutes are made available to the public prior to Senior Citizen Advisory Committee acceptance.]

Senior Citizen Advisory Committee Minutes
September 18, 2003

In attendance: Chairperson Janet Klett, Christine Taylor (Municipal Agent), Nancy Stilwell (Dir. Social & Youth Services), Donna Mattison (Senior Center Coordinator), Kathy Bagley (Dir. Rec. and Parks), Kathi Liberman (Housing Authority), Elizabeth Smith, Estelle Knurek, Grace Piencikowski and Mary Pezzlo, Joselyn Valente (Clerk). Absent: Vice-Chair Jane Helen Ross, Wendy Vencuss (Clergy), Kitch Breen Czernicki (AARP), Marian Conroy (Wethersfield Seniors Club), John Cascio (Council Liaison), and Adele Antoniou

1. CALL TO ORDER:
   1. Chairperson Janet Klett called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m.
2. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS:
   1. Janet welcomed guest Sarah Wood, Sue Miller and Matt Catalano (Dir. Of Adm. Haven Health Care of Wethersfield).
3. MINUTES:
   1. May 15, 2003 minutes were reviewed. No June, July or August meetings were held. A motion was made by Grace Piencikowski and seconded by Christine Taylor to accept the minutes as presented. Minutes were approved unanimously.
4. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT:
   1. Correspondence. Chairperson Klett reported that there was no incoming correspondence. A card was sent to Dorothy McGurkin, the Senior Community Café site manager (and former member of this committee) to thank her for her services and to congratulate her on her upcoming retirement. Janet also received a flyer regarding the upcoming Wethersfield Health Fair to be held at the Ambulance Building on Prospect Street on Saturday September 27th.
5. OLD BUSINESS:
   1. Additions to the agenda: If any member has a item they would like added to the agenda, please get that information to Janet Klett or Joselyn prior to the meeting.
   2. Distributions of the brochure: Donna Mattison reported that the distribution has been going very well. All locations have been reached except for the Chamber of Commerce, which does not have an actual location in Wethersfield. Many brochures have been handed out and mailed to anyone requesting the information. There was a typo recognized after the printing - AARP meets on the 3rd Monday not the first. Corrections are being made by hand.
   3. Dial-A-Ride: Nancy Stilwell reported that the new carrier for the Dial-A-Ride service is Logisticare, a transportation broker who will manage the service. (see attachment for specifics). The Greater Hartford Transit will still service the ADA transportation.
   4. Goals: Janet Klett reviewed the committee's goals and would like to put some emphasis on # 3 - Invite the Police Department to provide information on senior citizen issues at a SCAC meeting. She will be contacting the WPD to see if they could send a representative to one of our meetings soon. Also important was Goal # 6 - Identify and promote potential multigenerational volunteer opportunities. Donna Mattison reported that during the summer she arranged for the preschoolers at the Community Center to practice their songs, from their summer production, for the seniors at the Senior Community Café. Nancy Stilwell reported that the middle school children are involved with the food bank by participating in the "Stuff A Bus" program. This program involves a school bus being sent to all the schools to be loaded with items donated to the food bank. The bus then returns to Town Hall and is unloaded and items are sorted for the food bank. This is happening on Oct 24th. Nancy also is asking for volunteers to help sort clothing at the Social & Youth Services Department. Christine Taylor mentioned that the Friendly Visitors and Friendly Shoppers are addressing the intergenerational aspect for the elderly, and a new training program is scheduled for November 7th if anyone is interested.
6. NEW BUSINESS:
   1. Chairperson Janet Klett introduced Matt Catalano of Haven Healthcare to the committee. Matt was here to let us know that Haven Healthcare has taken over the Mediplex center on Jordan Lane. His company has 40 locations around New England and has been recognized as one of the State's finest in Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitative Services. He answered questions for the committee and passed out brochures.
   2. Review of the Budget: The new 2003-2004 budget for this committee was reduced from last year. The council has awarded the committee $3000 as opposed to $6,600 from 2002-2003. The advertising expenses (Rare Reminder Full Page and Half Page Senior Calendar) for the year are projected to be $3,300. A discussion was held regarding the advertising and Donna Mattison reported that during the summer months she only put in the full-page calendar and did not use the half page. Donna also felt a savings could be made if we eliminated the half page calendar of events during June, July, August and December. Kathy Bagley also noted that the Glass Show revenue of $650 should also be added to the budget. Chairman Klett will prepare a new budget for the next meeting.
   3. Chairmanship: It was noted that each year it is the committee's choice to maintain the current chairman or to elect a new chairman. Janet stated that she spoke with Jane-Helen Ross regarding this subject and Ms. Ross was still interested in her Vice-chair position. Janet asked if anyone was interested in the chairperson position. Kathy Bagley commended Janet Klett for the excellent job she has been doing and other committee members echoed this feeling. Janet has agreed to continue to hold this position for the upcoming year. Janet asked the clerk to get an updated list of the committee members and their appointment dates from the Town Clerk's Office and have it available for the next meeting. We will need to review it to see if any vacancies need to be filled.
   4. Glass Show: Kathy Bagley reported that the $650.00 check was received and is an addition to this year's budget. Also discussed was a concern that the Glass Show's promoter, Jim Dwire was using a checking account with the name of this committee. Kathy had spoken to Mr. Dwire regarding this subject and she was told that the former Town Finance Director had approved this. Janet Klett asked Kathy to revisit this subject with the new Finance Director and to report back.
7. REPORTS:
   1. AARP - Sue Miller (filling in for Kitch Czernicki) reported that the AARP meeting was well attended by approximately 90 members and they signed up 8 new members. They had a presentation on Credit Card Fraud at this meeting. A trip was taken to see "Good Night Gracie" at the Bushnell and a trip is also planned for November. They will be having their Tea-Cup Auction Fundraiser at their October Meeting.
   2. Elderly Services - Christine Taylor reported on new legislative updates. (see attached) She also discussed new videos that are available in the library for caregivers, and a program that is being held on September 30, 2003 at Hamilton Heights Place in West Hartford on Older Drivers Dilemma. There is also a survey request from the Connecticut Coalition on Aging that was passed out to all committee members to take back to their respective groups.
   3. Wethersfield Seniors Club - Grace Piencikowski reported that the Bingo attendance has greatly improved and they are having their Craft Fair at the October 15th meeting.
   4. Social Services / Senior Center - Nancy Stilwell nothing to report besides the Dial-A-Ride information previously reported. Donna Mattison reported that the Senior Center Entertainment schedule is continuing and the next program is scheduled for Monday, September 22nd. The Volunteer Recognition Social was held on September 8th and was a success. The Senior Center is sponsoring hearing screenings on the 3rd Wednesdays of each month and is co-sponsoring with the Health Department screenings for dental, prescriptions and cholesterol. All screenings require seniors to make an appointment. Donna reported that the Senior Center has 383 members at this time.
   5. Council Liaison - John Cascio was absent
   6. Wethersfield Housing Authority - Kathi Liberman was not available.
   7. Clergy Representative - Wendy Vencuss was absent.
   8. People with Disabilities - Janet Klett reported that the Wethersfield Police Department was holding 2 fundraisers to benefit Special Olympics - Tip A Cop on Sept 26th and a Pancake Breakfast on Sept. 28th both being held at the Red Lobster Restaurant. Changes to Dial-A-ride and ADA were also discussed. Her committee also discussed setting goals and most importantly they needed to be a very active voice on transportation issues. Janet also invited everyone to an Open House at the Resource Center on Main Street on Sept 27th 11a.m.-2 p.m.
   9. General Comments - Joselyn Valente commented that Ginger Genoa (co-site manager) of the Senior Community Café is planning a surprise retirement luncheon for Dorothy McGurkin on Monday, September 29th. As things are finalized everyone will be informed and invited. Nancy Stilwell will request a proclamation to be drawn in Dorothy's honor. Donna Mattison also reminded everyone that the Senior Newsletter and the Rare Reminder Schedule are available on the Town's website wethersfieldct.com .
8. ADJOURNMENT:
   A motion to adjourn was made by Estelle Knurek and seconded by Grace Piencikowski. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.