Senior Affairs Commission

ROSE CITY SENIOR CENTER 8 Mahan Drive, Norwich, Connecticut 06360 (860) 889-5960 s fax: (860) 885-1160 SENIOR AFFAIRS COMMISSION Meeting of Nov. 18, 2013 Members in Attendance: Chairperson Olive Buddington, Vice Chairperson Gen Bergendahl, Secretary Margaret Aldrich, Regular Member Jacquelyn Randall, and Alternate Members Frank Jacaruso and Jan Stewart. Absent were Regular Member Michael Lahan and staff member Beverly Goulet Attending staff members were Mike Wolak, and Anne Barriere Chairperson Olive Buddington determined there was a quorum and called the meeting to order. Minutes: The minutes from 10-21-13 were approved as submitted. Communications: Mike received a call from one of our members, Thelma Brown, who said that our escort driver “Robin is the nicest, most helpful driver that we could possibly have. Ida was good also.” Human Services Report: None. Senior Center Report: We received a $400 donation from AARP 3636 for the use of our room for their meetings. We are having an arts and crafts fair on Wednesday. We have 17-18 vendors. We would have had more but we just don’t have the space for tables inside. Budget work has begun for the upcoming year. We started a new program called “Coffee with the Captain”. Norwich Police Captain Daley will come up once a month on a Tuesday (9:15-10:30 a.m.) to meet with seniors in the dining room. Last month he talked about scams. This month he is bringing an FBI agent and a detective from Norwich that works with the FBI on terrorism. Ticket sales have begun for our Annual Holiday Luncheon. We’ve already sold 80-100 tickets. Last year we had about 208 so it looks to be a wonderful time. Peoples United Bank is sponsoring a Money Smart program on the 16th of December from 9:30-11:00 a.m. They have a variety of programs geared for different age groups including one for seniors which they will hold here. Nurse Nancy is still out. Hopefully soon we will find out if she will be able to return. If not, we will have to hire a new nurse. Currently, Dr. Walter has been covering some of the nail cutting appointments but her other services are still on hold. Just a note, in last week’s newspapers there were articles about Mayor Nystrom saying something about combining the Senior Center and the Recreation Department, but Mike has not heard anything directly. A discussion followed regarding the appointment of a new Mayor and several new Council Members in the recent election. Mike assured the commission that he has already extended an invitation to meet with her and discuss the ongoing needs of the Senior Center to continue its variety of programs and activities. Mike also stated that in the past, when serious budget problems arose, the new Mayor elect Deb Hinchey who was then on the City Council, was the one of the few who always returned Mike’s phone calls. He is confident she will continue her high level of commitment in her new position. Chairperson’s Report/Legislative Report: None. Old Business: None. New Business: None. Next Meeting: Monday, March 17, 2014, at 9:00 a.m., at the Rose City Senior Center. Respectfully submitted, Margaret Aldrich / acb Margaret Aldrich, Secretary MA/acb Regular meetings of the Commission are scheduled on the 3rd Monday of Mar/Apr/May and Sept/Oct/Nov