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 November 15, 2010 Members in Attendance: Chairperson Gen Bergendahl, Vice Chairperson Olive Buddington, Secretary Margaret Aldrich, Regular Member Jacquelyn Randall, and Alternate Members Antoinette Gwiazdowski, Frank Jacaruso and Jan Stewart. Attending staff members were Mike Wolak and Anne Barriere. Absent were Regular Member Michael Lahan and staff member Beverly Goulet. Chairperson Gen Bergendahl welcomed Councilman H. Tucker Braddock to the meeting, determined that a quorum was present and called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. Minutes: Accepted. Communications: None. Human Services Report: None. Senior Center Report: Thanks to all the members who were able to help at the recent flu clinic. We did not have the expected turnout as flu clinics are available all over town. We ordered 200 vaccinations and used 65. Last year we had 130. Next year it will be coordinated through Backus Home Health which does clinics throughout the region which will reduce waste. For the last few years we have worked with Backus Nursing Ed who was doing mostly only us and the homeless. Jan suggested possibly decreasing the hours or moving the flu clinic it to another location and transport our seniors who come in on our busses to that location for their flu shots. On the same day as the flu clinic we held our Thrift Shop Sale with half a dozen volunteers helping out and that made over $600. Holiday Luncheon will be Dec 9th with Matthews Catering providing the food. Tickets will be available at Reception. No update on the Program Administrator replacement except an email was sent to the applicant who was qualified that an interview panel would be set up in the next few weeks. Questions about the reason for the delays were brought up with a suggestion to ask the City Manager as he oversees or is involved with such matters. We are hoping it will happen soon as that position being vacant creates a safety and staffing hardship for the Center. The Wind Turbine project is moving along. Bonner Electric who won the bid should be starting the installation of the horizontal turbine in the next few weeks with the vertical turbine following in the spring. Though part of the purpose of the turbines is training for students, a projected 50% decrease in Senior Center electric costs is projected.  2 Joe Ruffo requested a written report on the status of Paul’s bus from John at the City Garage and information on a replacement bus. There is no spare money in the State budget but at a City meeting a few weeks ago it was said there may be some unused capital money. The City Manager also wants to be sure that the Senior Center vehicles are included with other City vehicles’ ongoing replacement schedule. This means they are viewed as a City item rather than something from any individual department’s budget which is why this need had been overlooked until now. Chairperson’s Report/Legislative Report: A discussion ensued regarding the public concept that the Senior Center is just a recreation center. Ideas of educating the City Council on the many vital services and activities were passed around. Concerns of future cuts that might affect the availability of the Clinic or Outreach Worker were voiced with first-person stories of service nightmares when a citizen tries to solve insurance or other issues themselves. The importance of at least one hot meal being available for some seniors was emphasized as well as a safe place to socialize for seniors who have otherwise been left alone due to a spouse passing or other family no longer living in the area. Other Business: It was asked whether the Senior Center has a defibrillator, also known as an AED. Mike said we do and most of the office staff is trained on how to operate it. It was provided originally by the Fire Department which had received a grant for several of them. Old Business: None. New Business: Councilman H. Tucker Braddock is looking for local seniors to donate some time at City Hall in the Information Booth to greet visitors and help direct them to offices and services. They would also be knowledgeable in local history and lore as well as current activities and events in the City, and able to hand out literature dropped off by the promoters. Next Meeting: Monday, March 21, 2011, at 9:00 a.m., at the Rose City Senior Center. Respectfully submitted, Margaret Aldrich Margaret Aldrich, Secretary MA/acb REGULAR MEETINGS OF T HE COMMISSION ARE SCHEDULED FOR THE RD 3 M O N D A Y O F M A R / A P R / M A Y A N D S E P T /O C T / N O V