Senior Affairs Commission

ROSE CITY SENIOR CENTER 8 Mahan Drive, Norwich, Connecticut 06360 (860) 889-5960
fax: (860) 885-1160 SENIOR AFFAIRS COMMISSION Meeting of April 20, 2009 Members in Attendance: Chairperson Gen Bergendahl, Vice Chairperson Olive Buddington, Secretary Margaret Aldrich, Regular Members, Michael Lahan, and Alternate Members Antoinette Gwiazdowski, and Frank Jacaruso. Attending staff members were Beverly Goulet, Mike Wolak and Anne Barriere. Absent were Regular Member Jacquelyn Randall and Alternate Member Jan Stewart Chairperson Gen Bergendahl determined that a quorum was present and called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. Minutes: Accepted as submitted. Communications: None Human Services Report: Bev handed out Budget Review/Public Hearing Schedules from the City Manager’s Office. The time for Human Services to meet with the Council is Wed, April 29th at 6:45 p.m. in Rm. 335 City Hall. Bev is hoping people will show up to show support for the department’s needs. If people wish to speak, the Public Hearing after is scheduled for Monday, May 11th at 7 p.m. at Norwich Regional Tech School, 7 Mahan Drive. Cuts for the Human Services department amounted to $265,000 and that means staff. Four positions at the Senior Center were cut: the part-time social worker, part-time clinical secretary and two part-time receptionists. The last time there were cuts we lost staff in all divisions. Four of the City’s unions are working very hard and have offered significant concessions to save as many positions as possible. Then there is a bumping issue to deal with too. The situation is stressful for everyone. A question regarding the ability of volunteers working to fill in was asked. The Outreach Worker and Clinic Secretary have very little that could be handled by a volunteer because of the confidentiality of client files. Some of the Outreach Worker’s duties will be handled part time by Candace, a social worker from Human Services, but it will be on a much smaller scale. Dr. Walter may have to bring in his own secretary to handle his paperwork. Volunteers who have good computer and people skills, and a little training could cover the receptionists varied duties. Otherwise, regular staff will have to fill for breaks, lunches and busy times. The question comes up also as to whether this will affect the renewing our accreditation. The clinic was a strong point in our application approval and with cuts in our line item accounts, there may be less programs offered. The remaining staff will try and fill in but will it be enough. It is well known that when times hit citizens the hardest, it is the Human Services programs that are needed the most. The dues for 2009/10 will be raised to $25/year to help cover other program costs. The final word on positions will be available June 1st when the final budget is revealed.  2 Senior Center Report: We raised $1,500 at our recent Corned Beef and Cabbage Fundraiser Dinner. We sold 228 eat-in tickets and another dozen for take-out. The Friday breakfast program has been going well and making a small profit. Thank you to Jan, Frank and Gen for their assistance with the special meals. The help is needed and gratefully welcome still. Our Volunteer luncheon is this Thursday, April 23rd. Chairperson’s Report/Legislative Report: None. Other Business: None Old Business: None New Business: Ed Meadows, one of our escort/backup drivers has resigned and taken a position as Director of the Sprague Senior Center. We wish him well. Next Meeting: Monday, May 18, 2009, at 9:00 a.m., at the Rose City Senior Center. Respectfully submitted, Margaret Aldrich Margaret Aldrich, Secretary MA/acb Regular meetings of the Commission are scheduled for the 3rd Monday of Mar/Apr/May and Sept/Oct/Nov.