Minutes
Aging and Disability Commission - Minutes - May 19, 2026
May 19, 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.
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION Regular Meeting – May 19, 2026 – 6:00 P.M. Youth Room, Eno Memorial Hall Minutes CALL TO ORDER Chairman Edward LaMontagne called the meeting to order at 6:04 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. ATTENDANCE Present: Edward LaMontagne, Jan Beatty, Margaret Haldeman, Terry Henault, Claire Corbett, Anne Erickson, Jennifer Kirkland, Cheryl Cook, Deb Glass, Jen Seiderer, Sandee Fleet, Diana Yeisley (Board of Selectmen Liaison) Excused: Libby Easton-May, Lisa Miceli (Library Liaison), Valerie Finney, Mike Jennings, Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator) PUBLIC AUDIENCE / PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Regular Meeting – April 14, 2026 Status: Approved. BOARD OF SELECTMEN REPORT – DIANA YEISLEY • Town budget passed. • Aging and Disability Commission budget for FY 2026–2027 increased to $7,500 ($250 increase from previous year). • Town awarded an AARP Flagship Grant of approximately $14,000 for the purchase of Mobi-mats, including storage, placement tools, shipping, and tax. • Simsbury Performing Arts Center (SMPAC) accessibility planning underway, including accessible van and parking services. • Coordination with Simsbury Police Department regarding drop-off service layout. • North Central Area Agency on Aging (NCAAA) grant application for Souper Thursdays advanced to the next review round; notification expected in July. Aging and Disability Commission May 19, 2026 Page Two Upcoming Community Events • May 22: Simsbury Duck Race (4:00–7:00 P.M.) – Drake Hill Flower Bridge • May 27: Board of Selectmen Bike Ride o 5:00 P.M. gathering; 5:30 P.M. start at Town Hall • May 25: Memorial Day Parades o Tariffville – 9:00 A.M. o Simsbury – 12:30 P.M. • June 1: Pride Flag Raising – 4:30 P.M. at Town Hall • June 1: Pride Picnic – 4:30–6:30 P.M. at the Library • June 8: Hometown Heroes Recognition – 5:00 P.M. at Town Hall honoring Simsbury Loan Locker volunteers • June 18: Simsbury High School Graduation • June 20: Juneteenth Celebration – 5:30–9:00 P.M. at Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center Additional updates: • Proposed Simsbury Charter revisions will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. • State funding secured for: o $350,000 for Library Teen Center enclosure o $300,000 for Apple Barn renovations o $200,000 for Eno Memorial Hall renovations LIBRARY REPORT • Third Annual Sustainability Fair drew approximately 1,200 attendees. • Pride Picnic scheduled for June 1 from 4:30–6:30 P.M. at the Library. • Library Board proposed a one-year pilot program for a Little Free Food Pantry containing non-perishable food items donated by the community. o Pantry project created by seventh grader JJ Hanrahan in partnership with Simsbury Social Services. o Donations toward the $129 purchase cost are being accepted through the Library. • Library software system upgrades underway; some service interruptions expected through June 3. • Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale collection begins May 27: o Tuesdays and Fridays: 10:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M. o Saturdays: 10:00 A.M.–1:30 P.M. • Appreciation extended to Claire Corbett for promoting Library programs through her weekly radio show. AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY – JAN BEATTY • Research continues regarding: o Technology Support Program o Caregiver Support Group Aging and Disability Commission May 19, 2026 Page Three • Final draft of the Resource Guide magnet under review by Social Services prior to printing. • Aging in Place Expo scheduled for September 18, 2026. OLD BUSINESS Sensory Movie – April 25, 2026 • Approximately 14 attendees representing three families. • Attendance impacted by favorable weather. • Future sensory movie tentatively planned for March 2027. Social Connections – May 3, 2026 • 36 attendees participated. • LeBahn gift cards distributed. • Appreciation extended to Volunteens and Terry Henault. • Discussion of a possible “250th Anniversary” theme for the fall event. Souper Thursday – May 14, 2026 • 46 attendees participated (61 registered). • Meal provided by Antonio’s included wraps and tomato soup. • Big Y gift card raffle held. • Summer Souper event scheduled for July 23 with a 250th Anniversary theme. Summer Fun Fest – July 18, 2026 • Scheduled from 2:00–4:00 P.M. at First Church. • Event plans include: o Sensory Touch-a-Truck o Snacks and ice cream o Proposed community art project (display location to be determined) Coffee with Commissioners: Remaining dates: • May 26th • June 9th • June 23rd Discussion topics on 5/14 included: • Parking concerns • Additional bench placements • Potential shelter installation • Sharps disposal instructions Aging and Disability Commission May 19, 2026 Page Four Accessibility concerns discussed: • South-side ramp at Eno Memorial Hall considered too steep for accessibility use. • Additional curb cuts would eliminate parking spaces. • Additional funding needed for accessibility improvements. Accessibility Awareness Month • Town proclamation recognizing June as Accessibility Awareness Month. • “Peace Love Accessibility” informational brochure shared, https://www.peaceloveaccessibility.com/ o Accessible Parking Awareness Day proposed for July 13; details forthcoming. NEW BUSINESS 2025–2026 Budget Update • Budget handout reviewed. • Discussion regarding printing costs. • Jen Seiderer suggested printing and distributing ADA guides and additional informational one-page resources. File of Life Program • Scheduled for June 9 from 6:30–8:00 P.M. • Program focuses on maintaining important medical documents to: o Prevent unwanted medical interventions o Reduce family burden o Provide guidance to healthcare providers • Registration available through the Library. • Commissioners planning to attend include Jan Beatty, Claire Corbett, Sandee Fleet, and Anne Erickson. Senior Survey • Discussion deferred for consideration next year. Subcommittees • Goal established to develop succession planning through co-coordinator roles. OTHER BUSINESS • Commissioners asked to review Jen Kirkland’s report on the Yale Symposium for Disability & Accessibility and the Disability and Voting informational video. Jen K will spearhead recommendations re voting for those with disabilities. • Seminar topic ideas discussed; probate issues suggested as a future topic. Aging and Disability Commission May 19, 2026 Page Five • Gerontologist Tam Cummings will present “Power of the Mind” on June 5 from 10:00 A.M.–2:00 P.M. at Avon Public Library (sponsored by Arden Courts). • Dementia Support Group meets the fourth Thursday of each month from 11:00 A.M.– 12:00 P.M. at Arden Courts of Avon. • Summit Adaptive Sports (https://www.summitadaptive.org/) received a Simsbury Greater Together grant. o Partnership planned with Social Sparks for kayaking and paddleboarding programs. o Additional adaptive activities include biking, hiking, and disc golf. • Upcoming Sensory Events • Sensory Halloween event tentatively scheduled for October 28, 2026. o Location to be determined. • Sensory Santa scheduled for December 5, 2026 at the Library. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:23 P.M. Next Meeting: June 16, 2026 at 6:00 P.M. at Eno Memorial Hall, Youth Room.