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 March 18, 2013 Approved as Corrected below Members in Attendance: Chairperson Olive Buddington, Vice Chairperson Gen Bergendahl, Secretary Margaret Aldrich, Regular Member Michael Lahan, and Alternate Members Frank Jacaruso and Jan Stewart. Absent was Regular Member Jacquelyn Randall. Attending staff members were Beverly Goulet, Mike Wolak and Anne Barriere. Chairperson Olive Buddington determined there was a quorum and called the meeting to order. Minutes: The minutes from the November 2012 meeting were approved as submitted. Communications: Mike read a letter from a senior who was grateful for the loan of medical equipment she recently returned. The medical equipment loan program is very active and donations are always welcome. Human Services Report: Recently there has been a complaint by a senior of discrimination by staff at the Senior Center. Bev and Mike have met with the Brigid, Human Resources Director and Attorney Ryan regarding this issue. It is still being reviewed and will report back when they finish their review. The 2013 budget has been submitted and we wait now for budget hearings process to complete. Senior Center Report: The Holiday Luncheon held last December went very well. The culinary students from Norwich TECH prepared the food. They brought over huge food warmers and the kids walked over the food. We were very pleased with their efforts. Our Corned Beef and Cabbage Fundraiser Dinner held last week went very well. We raised between $1,200-$1,400 for programs at the Senior Center. Jan suggested we might write a “Letter to the Editor” from the Commission, thanking the NFA Honor students (45 this year) who came up and served the meals. They have been doing this for years and always do a superior job. Margaret will take care of this. Programs as a whole are doing very well and we are getting new members all the time. Exercise classes are booming; they love the Yoga and Zumba classes. We’ve started some computer/tech classes with NFA students who will come up once a month and show seniors how to use their gadgets such as iPhones, iPads, etc. The nursing students from Norwich TECH will be coming over starting April 4th; one to help in the Clinic at the desk and a second will observe Nurse Nancy. Other students will be doing health questions with the seniors. We are trying to rekindle our partnership with Three Rivers Community College Nursing Program, either in this Spring or in the Fall. This program used to be very active and we are looking forward to it coming back. We have re-applied for two grants through Senior Resources and Mike will give his presentation before their Board in June. Nurse Nancy has been out for about 2 months so we are backed up with her appointments. Chairperson’s Report/Legislative Report: None. Old Business: There was a question regarding the process for filing filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Alternate Member Antoinette Gwiazdowski. Jan said she would write a letter to Tucker, but Olive and Bev thought it should go to the Mayor. New Business: Our new bus is out of commission for the 2nd or 3rd time, and is in Hartford again for repairs. Though it is under warranty it takes a lot longer for the drivers who can only take 3 or 4 seniors at a time in the spare cars to get them to and from the Senior Center and for shopping. Next Meeting: Monday, April 15, 2013, at 9:00 a.m., at the Rose City Senior Center. Respectfully submitted, Margaret Aldrich / acb Margaret Aldrich, Secretary MA/acb