Age Friendly South Portland

Age Friendly South Portland - Apr 08 2026 Agenda Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM South Portland Main Library - Community Room Lower Level (482 Broadway, South Portland) Page A. Opening 1. Call to Order 2 AFSP April Updates.pdf All About Balance Age Friendly SoPo 2026.04.01.pdf B. Review of Minutes 1. Reading of 03/11/2026 Minutes 5 AFSP Minutes 3.11.26.pdf C. Old Business 1. Winter Programs 2. Senior Walks 3. Proposed Projects for 2026 Updates 4. External Age Friendly Maine Board D. New Business 1. Home Weatherization Program 2. May Meeting Agenda Planning 3. Spring Fest E. Public Comment F. Adjournment Page 1 of 8  Updates AFSP April 8, 2026 According to Denise at PW we have 12 sand buckets remaining for next winter season. Last year we purchased 100 buckets and lids for $298.00. SP Rec Loaned Items does not include walking poles. Lisa spoke to Julie Taft (Sustainability Dept.) and she will have the Swap Shop volunteers set any donations aside for AFSP to add to the SP Rec Loan Program. Pick up a copy of the Spring/Summer city Rec brochure—- see pg10 for the AF update column. Thanks to Jenna Fischer for including us in this issue!! Upcoming Library Events 4/9 Locker Project 3:30 4/15 The Wabanaki in Casco Bay 6:30 4/16 Conservation in South Portland 6:30 4/18 Community Shredding Day 9-Noon 4/18 Artsy Afternoon 2 4/22 Flood or Drought:Two Sides of the Same Coin 6 4/25 Nesting Balls for Birds Earth Day Event 1-3 4/27 Willow Wreath Making 2 Signup Required Ongoing Events Knit Chat Tuesday’s at 6 and Friday’s at 10 Spanish Conversation Group Thursday at noon Bank Acct Balances Main Acct $5,643.30 Dyer Acct $14,167.85 Page 2 of 8 Page 3 of 8  380 Western Avenue South Portland, ME 04106 Phone: (207) 303-0612 Fax: (207) 303-0038 info@mainestrongbalancecenter.com “ALL ABOUT BALANCE” Class Tips & Key Takeaways Takeaway 1: Try making balance exercises a habit Before You Begin: Do these exercises in a safe place where you can hold on if needed. A good spot is near a kitchen sink or backed into a corner with a chair in front of you To Start: Pick the position that is right for you. Remember: we want moderate-high intensity. Three Essential Balance Exercises: 1. Eyes Open: in your just right position, hold it with your eyes open 2. Eyes Closed: in your just right position, hold it with your eyes closed 3. Head Turning/Nodding: in your just right position, turn your head right and left “no” and then up and down “yes”. *Physical Therapists can help you individually if you need more information! Takeaway 2: Don’t Forget, Your Home is Part of the Program. See “Check for Safety” Handout. Takeaway 3: Stay Connected with Age Friendly South Portland. As an example, get your balance and strength screening at the Resource Fair on September 18, 2026. Age Friendly South Portland AARP Certified Age Friendly Community Email: AgeFriendly@SouthPortland.org Facebook: @ Age Friendly South Portland Page 4 of 8 Age Friendly South Portland Regular Meeting Minutes March 11, 2026 6:00 PM​ South Portland Main Library - Community Room, Lower Level Attendees: ●​ Members: Maxine Beecher, Karen Taylor, Rachael Coleman, Nancy Crowell, Andy Chandler, Jason Adour ●​ Other: Chris Pupke (Staff Liaison), Sue McCormick (public), Kathy Adams (public). 1. Call to Order The regular meeting of the Age Friendly South Portland was called to order at 6:02 PM by Maxine. 2. Approval of Minutes The minutes from the previous meeting held on February 11, 2026 were reviewed. Nancy moved with one correction: typo with Jason’s name. Karen seconded. Passed unanimously. 3. Old Business ●​ Emergency Preparedness ○​ Nancy reports that there have been no updates. ●​ Winter Programs ○​ Carol was going to present on this topic but was absent. ○​ Lisa will double check into the number of sand buckets that are delivered. ●​ Heating Assistance Programs Updates ○​ Chris presented. ○​ There are no major updates. There have not been many requests for heating assistance. DIscussion was held regarding possible reasons for this: ■​ A stigma in requesting assistance from the City Page 5 of 8  ■​ Access to other organizations that provide assistance ■​ Lack of awareness ●​ Falls Intervention Program ○​ Jason noted that he has received one additional referral from EMS that he is in the process of connecting with. ○​ Jason has an upcoming presentation at Ridgeland Estates on April 1st. ○​ A balance class will be hosted at the Community Center for 4 weeks in May. This is a free of charge exercise class with a focus on balance. ●​ Proposed Projects for 2026 ○​ Smart Home Devices (Echo Dot) Update ■​ Daren (vendor) met at Betsy Ross with participants to see how the program was working and many residents reported using the devices every day ■​ SPCTV interviewed some participants for an upcoming South Portland Forward segment to talk about how much they enjoy the program ■​ 3 more Echo Dots were installed ○​ Senior Walks ■​ Sydney (Park Ranger) gave lots of historical information to PD so that they can share this during the Senior Walks program. ■​ Lisa suggested that Jason attend one of the walks to discuss balance issues (proper footwear, gear, ect). ■​ Nancy indicated that the Community Center lends out Snowshoes and wondered if they could add hiking poles for people to borrow. ■​ Karen noted that PD is discussing having volunteers along the walking route. ○​ Metro Ridership ■​ Lisa noted that there are hopes to increase ridership in South Portland. ■​ Lisa suggested a promotion such as a Party Bus day, where all the buses are decorated for a party on a particular day. ■​ Councilor Coleman noted that Metro was talking about changing the route numbers on some routes to make them simpler, and that the former South Portland Transportation employees (bus drivers) are still working at Metro Page 6 of 8  ■​ Lisa noted that Portland moved to using Metro for high school and middle school students as opposed to school buses. ●​ Various Updates ○​ Kathy will be sending out Save the Dates to vendors for the Senior Resource Fair within the next month. ○​ Kathy noted that Maine CITE is hosting webinars that may be of interest to the committee, including on the topic of smart home devices. ○​ The PD’s Senior Walks promotion has begun, including flyers and on City Social Media. ​ 4. New Business ●​ AARP Community Challenge Grant ○​ Lisa noted that a grant application was submitted in conjunction with the Sustainability office for the weatherization program. ○​ The application made it to the second round. Decision pending. ○​ The proposed program would be a joint effort between AFSP, Sustainability, Habitat for Humanity and the South Portland Housing Authority. ○​ To start, the purpose will be to present and provide information at community events, like the Committee did with the Emergency Preparedness program. Lisa noted that even if the grant doesn’t go through, there is potential money for this piece. ○​ The idea is to have a trifold that will share information about 3 programs: the proposed Sustainability Weatherization program, Habitat for Humanity's Critical Home Repair, and SPHA's Home Modification program. ○​ SPCTV is going to do a piece on H4H’s program specifically to help increase interest. ○​ If the grant is approved / the funding sources are approved, the second phase will involve having an energy audit completed for the homeowner. ○​ Another phase will include a window dressing event in 2027. ○​ Nancy noted that Age Friendly’s role at first will be to attend public events and share the info. Anyone who wants to participate can attend training put on by Passive Haus. Page 7 of 8  ○​ Lisa noted that at some point in the future, she may request AFSP donate funding. ○​ Andy asked about the Window Dressers event. Window Dressers is a New England based organization that has volunteers take measurements of drafty windows and provide “builds” to weatherize windows. 5. Public Comment ●​ Members of the public were invited to share comments or concerns related to the Age Friendly South Portland Committee. ○​ Andy hosted a presentation on AI titled “AI: Not As Mysterious As It Seems” that was well received. He would be willing to host the event at South Portland library if there is interest. ○​ Councilor Coleman noted that at last night’s City Council Workshop, it was discussed about e-bikes riding on the Greenbelt. ○​ Nancy wished to express thanks to the Library for continuing the Tai Chi classes. ○​ Lisa noted that Bone Builders, an evidence based class for osteoporosis, will be held in September. ○​ Councilor Coleman gave an update on the Mahoney Project / City Facility project. Public Safety (PD) will be the first priority. 6. Adjournment A motion was made by Nancy to adjourn the meeting at 7:41 . The motion was seconded by Lisa and passed unanimously. Minutes submitted by Chris Pupke, Director of Social Services, Committee Staff Liaison and interim Secretary. Page 8 of 8