Minutes

Aging and Disability Commission - Minutes - Apr 14, 2026

Apr 14, 2026

A public record published by the Town of Simsbury (simsbury-ct.gov). mySimsbury indexes it and makes it readable; it is not the official copy. View the original file.

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AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
Regular Meeting – April 14, 2026 – 6:00 P.M.
Youth Room, Eno Memorial Hall
Minutes
1. Call to Order
Chairman Edward LaMontagne called the meeting to order at 6:05 P.M.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Attendance
Present: Edward LaMontagne, Jan Beatty, Margaret Haldeman, Valerie Finney, Terry Henault,
Claire Corbett, Anne Erickson, Jennifer Kirkland, Cheryl Cook, Mike Jennings, Diana Yeisley
(Board of Selectmen Liaison), Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator)
Excused: Deb Glass, Jen Seiderer, Sandee Fleet, Lisa Miceli (Library Liaison)
Absent: Libby Easton-May
4. Public Audience / Public Comment
There were no public comments.
5. Acceptance of Minutes
Regular Meeting – March 17, 2026
Status: Approved.
6. Reports
Board of Selectmen Report – Diana Yeisley
• Public hearing on the town budget scheduled for April 21 at 6:00 P.M. (Town Hall).
• Sustainability initiatives:
o In-home energy assessments available through Energize CT (including rebates).
• New town website launched; feedback can be submitted via link, email to BOS, Town
Manager, or Director of IT.
• Grant applications submitted for:
o Eno Memorial Hall HVAC and roof improvements
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o Tom Roy property (dam-related project)
o Splash pad at Memorial Pool
• April designated as Autism Awareness Month (also referred to as Autism Acceptance
Month).
• Town applied as an intervener for the Nod Road Solar Project to remain informed
through the siting council process.
• Town budget referendum will be mid to late May
• Upcoming Community Events:
o April 25: Community Cleanup
o April 29: Emotional Development for College Students
o May 16: Touch-a-Truck (DPW)
o May 25: Community Clean-Up May 31: Pool pass discount deadline
o June 18: Intergenerational Tie-Dye; High School Graduation
o June 20: Juneteenth Celebration; Touch-a-Truck & Summer Kickoff (Simsbury
Farms)
Senior Center Report – Kathleen Marschall
• May/June newsletter available online
• Upcoming programs:
o May 3: Social Connections
o May 21: Firehouse Breakfast
o June 1: Pride Picnic
o June 18: Tie-Dye Event
• New program: Bingocize (in partnership with Farmington Valley Health Department)
• Walking group to begin Wednesday mornings
• Appreciation extended to AARP tax volunteers.
Library Report – Lisa Miceli
• “Books to Your Door” program continues to be promoted
Age-Friendly Community – Jan Beatty
• Ongoing collaboration with community partners:
o Multigenerational technology program
o Caregiver support group
• Aging-in-Place Expo scheduled for Friday, September 18 (12:00–3:00 P.M.) at the
library.
o Confirmed new presenter: Amy Woodman, R.D. (Healthy Cooking)
• Resource Guide magnet (town and area contacts) to be distributed at events being
finalized
7. Old Business
Sensory Movie
• April 25 at 2:00 P.M. (setup at 1:30 P.M.)
• Location: Friends of the Library Room
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• Feature: Elio
• Refreshments and giveaways planned
• Volunteers needed.
Social Connections
• Scheduled for May 3, 2026 (2:00–4:00 P.M.) at the Library (LeBahn Patisserie).
• Assistance from Simsbury High School Volunteens.
• Additional commissioners encouraged to attend.
Summer Fun Fest
• July 18, 2026 (2:00–4:00 P.M.)
• Location: First Church
• Planning includes refreshments and activity coordination.
• Volunteers needed
Souper Thursday
• Scheduled for May 14. Volunteers needed from commission.
Coffee with Commissioners
• April 7 session included feedback on:
o Bench placement outside Eno Hall (south basement door)
o Use of sharps containers
• Upcoming dates: May 12, May 26, June 9, June 23
Caregiver Support Group
• Discussion about this idea from one of community partners includes potential
collaboration with:
o Residents at Brookside
o McLean (contact: Bridgette Finney)
• Intended for all caregivers, not limited to aging/dementia.
Intergenerational Technology Program
• Planning ongoing (Jennifer Seiderer and Simsbury High student Eli Seiderer); possibly to
be held after lunches at Eno Memorial with sign-ups for tech help required
Accessibility Coordinator Proposal
• Discussion of creating a centralized role to:
o Ensure ADA compliance
o Oversee accessibility initiatives
o Serve as project manager for related efforts
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8. New Business
• Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month: May
• Accessibility Awareness Month: June (formerly Handicap Parking Awareness Month)
o Potential collaboration with Simsbury Community Media for video
• Proposed Seminar: Exploring legal options for individuals with disabilities (Fall,
tentative)
• Yale Symposium for Disability & Accessibility Follow-Up: Jennifer Kirkland attended
5-1/2 day program and will share written report, including insights about disability and
voting access.
• Committee Assignments: Event planning responsibilities circulated by chair for
consideration
9. Other Business
• Reminder to complete Sexual Harassment Prevention Training and submit certificates to
Town HR
• April 21 (6:00 P.M.): Adaptive programming discussion at YMCA
• April 23 (6:00 P.M.): Presentation on “Thrive at Home” with McLean
• Event Promotion: Bulletin board available on first floor of Senior Center for posting
events
10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:10 P.M.
Next Meeting, May 19, 2026 at 6:00 P.M. at Eno Memorial Hall, Youth Room