Minutes
Aging and Disability Commission - Minutes - Jun 16, 2026
Jun 16, 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 – June 16, 2026 – 6:00 P.M. Youth Room, ENO Memorial Hall Minutes CALL TO ORDER Chairman Edward LaMontagne called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. ATTENDANCE Present: Edward LaMontagne, Jan Beatty, Margaret Haldeman, Claire Corbett, Anne Erickson, Jennifer Kirkland, Deb Glass, Jen Seiderer, Valerie Finney, Danielle Hill, Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator), Lisa Miceli (Library Liaison), Excused: Sandee Fleet, Terry Henault, Mike Jennings, Libby Easton-May, Cheryl Cook, Kylie Stillman (Student Representative), Diana Yeisley (Board of Selectmen Liaison) PUBLIC AUDIENCE / PUBLIC COMMENT Lisa Cooperman attended with her daughter, Talia. GUEST PRESENTATION – SUMMIT ADAPTIVE SPORTS Guests: Susan Murphy, Matt Kulik • Ski Sundown winter program; approximately 20 years of operation • Independent nonprofit for 5 years • Athletes served range from ages 4–82 • Programs include skiing, hiking (varied difficulty levels), paddling, and mountain biking • Equipment overview provided; handouts distributed • More than 75 volunteers participate • 1:1 coach-to-athlete ratio maintained • Volunteer training and certification required • Funding sources include grants, individual donations, Birdies for Charity, Greater Hartford Gives, and Simsbury Greater Together. Funds are used for equipment and to reduce the costs to the athletes. • Affiliated with Move United (The Hartford) • Mission focuses on independence through adaptive sports ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Regular Meeting – May 19, 2026 Status: Approved BOARD OF SELECTMEN REPORT – DIANA YEISLEY (No additional report provided at this meeting) Aging and Disability Commission June 16, 2026 Page Two SENIOR CENTER REPORT – KATHLEEN MARSCHALL • The Communicator July/August issue includes: Simsbury Senior Center Night at McLean (p. 5) File of Life information (p. 6) • Police Department picnic scheduled for September 2 LIBRARY REPORT – LISA MICELI • 340 attendees at Pride Month celebration • Little Free Food Pantry launching in July • Summer Reading Program begins June 22, Adult sign-up gift: cards by Marianne Berman • Five-year strategic plan survey closed (500 responses), results to be released publicly AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY REPORT – JAN BEATTY • Walk Audit interest from Public Works (Tom Roy) Planning for fall; AARP materials referenced • ADA school accessibility survey discussed • Aging in Place Expo scheduled; focus on transportation • Rotary donation of $9,000 for benches (3 locations under consideration, locations may be informed by Walk Audit findings) • Bus shelter at Eno discussed Temporary solution possible through Public Works May be included in next year’s budget OLD BUSINESS File of Life Program – June 9, 2026 • 18 attendees participated • File of Life materials distributed • Additional supplies available through Social Services Summer Fun Fest – July 18, 2026, 2-4pm at First Church Simsbury • Music, balloons, snacks including ice cream, games, sensory touch-a-truck and other activities • Community Art Piece to be displayed at Town Hall • Multiple door prizes will be available for those present Coffee with Commissioners • 5/26 comments & concerns (Terry Henault): HomeWell Care Services discussed Transportation concerns raised (need for public bus access) Positive feedback for Senior Center staff Need for new Senior Center discussed Food access concerns related to transportation • 6/9 comments & concerns (Jen Kirkland): Caregiver support group identified as a need Residences at Brookside may provide leadership • 6/23: Anne Erickson and Diana Yeisley scheduled to attend Aging and Disability Commission June 16, 2026 Page Three Accessibility Awareness Month • Town proclamation recognizing June as Accessibility Awareness Month • Outreach conducted with SCM and Simsbury Police Department NEW BUSINESS Appointments • Terry Henault appointed as full member • Danielle Hill appointed as alternate member Sweet Connections • 250th celebration planned • Fall date to be determined Summer Luncheon – July 30, 2026 • Menu: sandwiches, chips, ice cream • Volunteers needed (11:15 A.M.–1:30 P.M.) Police Department Meeting – Handicap Parking • Discussion of “Peace Love Accessibility” initiative, https://www.peaceloveaccessibility.com/ • Concerns regarding misuse of handicap placards • Consideration of courtesy notices and education efforts • Accessibility parking assumptions discussed Ojakian Commons Meeting • Maintenance and management responsibilities discussed • Transportation concerns related to facility van/driver 2025–2026 Budget Update • Printing costs discussed Subcommittees • Final structure for succession planning distributed (handout referenced) OTHER BUSINESS • Resource guide updates provided by Jen Seiderer, including transportation updates and File of Life event video • Seminar planning underway (Jen Kirkland and Sandee Fleet), Aug 27th, from 7-8 PM (at the library, hybrid) Lawyer Neil Kraner: the documents that parents need to get in place to support children with disabilities as they move to adulthood, including trusts, ABLE accounts, POAs and guardianships. • Voting accessibility report underway (Jen Kirkland) • Sensory Halloween event scheduled for October 28 at The Apple Barn • Sensory Santa tentatively scheduled for December (date subject to availability of Santa) ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:35 P.M. Next meeting is scheduled for September 15, 2026. Submitted by, Margaret Haldeman Clerk