Senior Citizens Advisory Committee

Madison  Senior  Center   Senior  Center  Advisory  Committee   Minutes  for  Meeting  January  12,  2017     SCAC  Members:    John  Hoover  (Chair),    Kaye  Shaler,  Lou  Gaburo,    Sandra  Fielo,  Jeffrey  Paxton,    Marlene   Dolan,  Phyllis  Flemming,  Edna  Ierley-­‐Byrne  (Madison  Sr.  Center),    Bill  List,  Lena  Crasto,  Maureen   Byrne(Council  Liaison),    Joe  Gonsalves     Members  Not  Present    –    Ruth  Barrett   First  order  of  business,  John  Hoover  was  voted  in  as  Chair  of  the  SCAC  as  Phyllis  Flemming  was  voted  in   as  recording  secretary.      John  welcomed  everyone  for  the  new  year  2017!   Senior  Center  –  Edna  Ierley-­‐Byrne   Edna  reported  that  many  of  the  fitness,  mahjong,  and  canasta  classes  were  increasing  in  size.   Hopefully,  the  Madison  Council  will  approve  the  senior  citizen  budget  allowing  the  van  to  be     operated  on  a  daily  basis  until  4:30  p.m.  She  also  reported  that  the  next  Tri-­‐Town55+  meeting   will  be  held  on  January  19th,  2017.    The  first  goal  of  the  Grotta  Grant  will  be  discussing  one  of   transportation  and  the  GoGo  Grandparenting  transportation  option  will  be  discussed.     Hopefully  it  will  be  a  user-­‐friendly  option  such  as  using  the  regular  telephone  so  that  seniors   can  call  for  transportation.  There  will  be  a  call  center  and  the  family  members  will  be  notified   when  the  senior  arrives  and  departs  from  their  destination.    This  system  was  originally  used  in   California  and  was  quite  successful.  Another  goal  was  to  assist  stores  in  the  community  to   become  more  age  friendly  or  user  friendly.    Edna  also  stated  that  the  Dodger  Field  track  is   available  to  use  for  a  walking  group.    This  can  be  done  either  in  a  group  or  individually.       Morris  County  Tax  Aide-­‐  Bill  List   The  tax  preparers  will  be  trained  on  a  new  software  package  called  Tax  Slayer.  This  season   there  has  been  fourteen  new  recruits  while  losing  eight  former  tax  preparers.    The  software  is   very  difficult  and  presents  to  the  preparers  new  and  challenging  problems  which  must  be   mastered  and  solved.    The  preparers  must  also  pass  the  IRS  test.    After  the  tax  forms  are  filed,   they  must  then  be  rechecked  by  another  preparer.    The  agents  must  be  able  to  handle  any  and   all  problems  even  if  in  the  course  of  the  tax  season  they  are  not  presented  with  all  of  the  these   problems.    Assignments  will  be  given  out  shortly  as  the  first  appointments  will  begin  in   February.    Each  appointment  will  probably  be  at  least  two  hours  long.         Madison  Library  –  Jeff  Payton   Jeff  passed  out  the  latest  Madison  Public  Library  Newsletter  listing  all  the  wonderful  activities   for  the  upcoming  months.    If  one  doesn’t    have  a  computer,  you  can  call  the  library  desk  and   sign  up  for  all  the  events.    It  appears  that  both  the  Madison  Y  and  the  Library  are  hosting  similar   events  and  an  effort  will  be  made  in  the  future  to  coordinate  such  events  so  as  not  to  duplicate   events.  It  was  suggested  the  tours  of  the  Library  should  be  made  available  to  the  public  and   also  that  a  library  open  house  be  conducted  during  the  daytime  hours.   Chateau  Thierry  –  Lena  Crasto   Lena  reported  that  the  Thanksgiving  dinner  went  wonderfully  and  that  a  good  time  was   enjoyed  by  everyone.    She  also  felt  that  the  winter  months  were  very  long  and  difficult  for  so   many  of  the  seniors  living  there.   Stay  Healthy  –  Sandra  Fielo   Sandee  reported  that  she  will  be  meeting  most  of  the  clients  at  the  end  of  January  and  she  will  be   requesting  help  from  within  the  group.     Friends  of  the  Senior  Center-­‐  Lou  Gaburo   For  the  year  2017  Lou  reported  that  the  two  large  events  will  be  the  annual  spring  luncheon   and  the  musical  program.   DDC  –  John  Hoover   John  stated  that  this  year  will  be  a  year  of  “getting  things  done”  –  an  action  year  for  2017!The  Taste  of   Madison  is  scheduled  for  the  end  of  March  and  hopefully  will  be  very  successful.  WISE-­‐  the  Wellness   Initiative  for  Senior  Education  is  off  and  running  and  hopes  to  be  quite  successful  and  education  too!     Morris  Habitat  for  Humanity  is  available  to  help  seniors  in  their  home  situations  at  a  very  cost  effective   price.      The  Boro  Bylines  will  be  printed  out  for  anyone  requesting  this  information  and  can  also  be   mailed  out  to  residents.    Copies  will  also  be  available  at  the  Madison  Senior  Center.     Council  Liaison  –  Maureen  Byrne   The  Boro  is  quite  interested  in  how  user  friendly  Madison  Rosenet  is  for  Madison  residents.   There  is  a  communication  survey  on  line  which  should  be  filled  out.    There  should  also  be   surveys  available  at  Boro  Hall.             Thursday  Morning  Club  –  Kay  Leary   On  January  19th  there  will  be  a  scholarship  luncheon  and  social  to  benefit  the  Hugh  O’Brien   Youth  Leadership  Program.    On  February  2nd  ,  historian,    Janet  Foster  will  present  a  lecture   entitled,  “The  Colonial  Revival  in  Morris  County.”    On  February  16th  the  Wise  Wonderful   Women  Lecture  Series  will  present  Dr.  Alice  Lazzarini  on  a  program  entitled,  “Both  Sides  Now:     A  Journey  from  Researcher  to  Patient.”  This  will  be  an  honest  discussion  on  Parkinson’s  Disease.   Other  events  are  listed  on  the  TMC’s  website.     RSVP-­‐  Kaye  Shaler   Kaye  reported  that  the  phone  call  list  has  been  changing  their  calling  time  to  a  later  morning  call  which   is  more  conducive  to  those  clients  being  contacted.   Health  Department  –  Marlene  Dolan   Marlene  reported  that  flu  shots  are  still  available  if  needed.    January  and  February  is  usually  the  time   that  flu  season  generally  peaks.    There  is  a  new  health  officer,  Michael  Fitzpatrick  and  a  new  health   educator  Lindsey  Pruitt.     New  Business:     John  hopes  to  introduce  the  Madison  Health  Department  staff.    He  also  hopes  to  have  a   speaker  on  “Togetherhood.”    Also  a  Rotary  representative  is  needed  for  our  Board.     The  meeting  was  adjourned  at  3:00.     Next  meeting  will  be  held  on  Thursday,    February  9th  at  2:00  pm.     Respectfully  submitted,   Phyllis  Flemming,  Secretary