Senior Citizens Advisory Committee

Senior Citizens Advisory Committee Agenda - January 8, 2015 Welcome back Roll Call Reorganization: Edna Ierley-Byrne – Call for nominations for Chair Call for nominations for secretary Vote Plans for 2015 Report from committees Adjourn 3:30pm Senior Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting January 8, 2015. Present: Carmela Vitale, Sandee Fielo, Kay Leary, Kaye Shaler, Phyllis Fleming, Flo Rice, Bill List, John Hoover, Edna Ierley-Byrne, Peggy Donnelly, Councilwoman Astri Baillie. Mrs. Vitale chaired the meeting. Committee Reorganization Mrs. Vitale asked that we postpone the reorganization portion of the meeting until next month. Introductions: Members introduced themselves and the groups they represent. Guest Lisa Ellis - DDC Mrs. Vitale introduced guest Lisa Ellis who is in an interim position at the DDC. She came to be part of the discussion on businesses and community member feedback. Ms. Ellis said that some strategic planning will be done during January and February and feedback from the community members will be very useful. Also May Day planning will begin shortly. Mara Johnson will not be chairing it this year. Mrs. Vitale said that this senior group has sent representatives to help on May Day. Kay Leary has done it for a few years. Peggy Donnelly agreed to work with Kay Leary. Group members related to Ms. Ellis their experiences with the Madison Access program. Ms. Ellis said that there will be some changes in some stores (businesses); namely, D’Torr, Doodlebug, and Pappa Johns. Some seniors told of experiences where they were looking for places to eat before dark and had difficulty finding restaurants open. Others told stories of getting off the train after work and finding no stores open to stop for items on the way home. There was discussion around expensive rents and working with landlords. New marketing techniques may be considered. Some spoke of a complicated business application, zoning, and signs. Parking was not considered a problem. Committee members also talked about some special businesses or markets they would love to see open in Madison. A good bakery was one, and a good meat market was another. Bottle Hill Day 2015 It was recommended that the Friends participate again and promote senior services. Edna Ierley-Byrne asked for ideas to draw people to the booth. They have used gourmet dog biscuits in the past.She wants to hand out more than a flyer.We will give it more thought. Elder Care Lawyer Thomas Murphy - He was so well received at the event last year that we may ask him to come back with a similar presentation. Committee Reports: Thursday Morning Club – Kay Leary – Jan. 22 is a Luncheon and Games Event. RSVP – Kaye Shaler - Approximately 35 calls are being made to seniors a week. The program is going through a transition. Seniors are being asked if they are faring alright in the cold weather. Mrs. Vitale added that there is now a database for about 350 people who responded to the Electric Rebates. The police have a list of people who have special needs. Healthy Bones- Peggy Donnelly talked about her participation in the class over the years. Stay Healthy – Dr. Fielo would like to attract the “young olds.” The Thursday Morning Club may be a venue to for this audience. Tax Program - Bill List talked about the new software and about some of the Affordable Care Act ramifications affecting tax returns. Health Department - Flo Rice stated that some staff changes will take place in the Health Department because of a maternity leave and retirements. The flu season may be a difficult one because the vaccine was not matched 100% to the current predominant strain. It will still protect if some of the other strains emerge. Senior Center – Edna Ierley-Byrne talked about Donna Sue Dowton’s new class with chair and standing yoga. She said it’s called “Not your Daughter’s Yoga”. Councilwoman Astri Baillie talked about an article she saw in the League of Municipalities newsletter titled “Is your town super-friendly?” Announcements: There will be a meeting for May Day on Jan.16th at 8:30 a.m. The Board of Education is inviting the public to strategic planning meeting on Feb.3rd at the High School Media Center at 9 a.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m. Next meeting: February 12 at 2 p.m. Flo Rice