Senior Citizens Advisory Committee

Madison Senior Center Senior Citizen Advisory Committee Agenda - January 14, 2016 Visit from Mayor Conley 2:00pm Roll Call Welcome back Reorganization: Edna Ierley-Byrne – Call for nominations for Chair Call for nominations for secretary Vote Plans for 2016 Report from committees Adjourn 3:30pm Madison Senior Center Senior Citizen Advisory Committee December 10, 2015 Present: Carmela Vitale (chair), Astri Baillie (Council Liaison), John Hoover, Kaye Shaler, Louis Gaburo, Edna Ierley-Byrne, Ruth Barrett, Bill List, Jeff Payton, Marlene Dolan, Kay Leary. Absent: Dennis Callahan, Peggy Donnelly, Lena Crasto, Sandee Fielo, Susan Sheeley Minutes Mrs. Vitale asked for approval of minutes. No changes were made. They were approved and seconded. Minutes accepted. Carmela Vitale again stated that all board members will be approved for the 2016 Board as everyone has agreed to remain in their positions on the board New Business: Erika Cruz did a great job reviewing the new website: Rosenet.org. It is important to create a log in and user name if you wish to receive notifications of events. This new website is so much easier to use and everyone is encouraged to do so. So far many of the comments communicated have been very positive. Committee Member Reports Friends – Lou Gaburo reported that the committee is planning an all-day Open House at the Madison Senior Center with a very detailed schedule of activities for that day. There will also be a Mah Jongg tournament for 2016 and everyone is very excited about it. RSVP – Kaye Shaler reported that improvements are being seen in the program, with a change in personnel and new clients being added who will receive calls. DDC – John Hoover explained that the Annual Report for this year was being prepared and the committee was also working on proposals for 2016. Discussion included ways for new business to be attracted to Madison. The sign and façade committee was also making changes. There was discussion about Bottle Hill Day and the huge success that occurred this year. The merchants were somewhat upset that this day hurt many of the small businesses. It was stated that the merchants need more incentives and/or discounts for shoppers to be attracted to their stores. Thursday Morning Club – Kay Leary gave many handmade items to Gary Ruckelshaus for the Madison Eagle Fund. On January 11th the Club will be hosting a “Blanket Day Workshop” for a very reasonable fee. On January 21th there will be luncheon and festivities that will be raising money for the Hugh O’Brien Scholarship Fund. More details are available on their website at www. thursdaymorningclub.org. Health Department – Marlene Dolan reported that flu shots were still available at the Health Department if there is a need. The staff is undergoing training for disaster/mass events that hopefully will never occur. The Health Department also has applied for the Grotta Grant in the amount of $35,000.00 for the first section, a health assessment of Madison’s senior population. The goal is to find out the needs of seniors and how to incorporate the needs of the minority speaking population. This was discussed by Samantha Robinson in great detail at the November meeting. Madison Library – Jeff Payton stated that the library is finally open and the library is trying to assess how they can be more beneficial to seniors in the community. Morris County Tax Aide – Bill List explained in great detail all the training and testing that the tax preparers must undergo before doing the 2015 taxes. If they do not pass the IRS test the second time around they will be unable to be a tax preparer. There are many changes to the IRS filing due to the Affordable Health Care Act. In February residents may make appointments to bring in their taxes to be prepared by our volunteer tax preparers. AARP – Ruth Barrett – no report Senior Center – Edna Ierley-Byrne – no report Council Liaison – Astri Baillie stated that the Council would be spending countless hours on the new budget. Meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m. Next Meeting is Thursday, January 14, 2016. Respectfully submitted, Phyllis Flemming, Secretary