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Simsbury senior center, library and commission outline upcoming programs, community services and event planning
Summary
The commission heard program updates from the senior center and library — coffee-with-the-cops, AARP Tax-Aide, a congresswoman’s casework clinic, Sweet Connections and the Human Library — and discussed community events including Century Santa, a sensory-friendly movie, picnic planning and fundraising details for Super Thursday lunches.
Commissioners received several service and events updates from senior-center and library staff and discussed community programming and budget items.
Senior center: Cathy reported the senior center will host “Coffee with the Cops” this Thursday at 10 a.m. and will again host AARP Tax-Aide starting Feb. 13 at the library; appointments for free federal and state tax-preparation help can be made by calling the senior center. Cathy also reported that a constituent-service program from Congresswoman Jahana Hayes’s office — a caseworker clinic called “Casework on Your Corner” — will be at the senior center on the second Wednesday of each month from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning Feb. 12.
Library and partnership programs: Lisa said the Simsbury Public Library nominated the Sweet Connections program for the Connecticut State Library’s Excellence in Public Libraries awards; Stephanie Prado prepared the application and community partners (including the commission) provided letters of support. Lisa also announced the library’s Human Library event, scheduled for March 22; volunteers who would serve as “books” undergo a prescribed training program and the library will start training in February.
Sensory-friendly and other community events: Commissioners reviewed the Century Santa / Sensory Santa event recap. Claire reported volunteer coordination and photo distribution went smoothly; the physical attendance counter showed 136 attendees (the clicker count included children, parents, relatives and volunteers). Commissioners suggested a “quiet room” for overstimulated attendees at future sensory-friendly events and discussed replacing or locating the red Santa chair (which was missing after the event).
Picnic and Super Thursday fundraising: Margaret is recruiting volunteers to rework the annual picnic at Simsbury Farms and suggested changing the food plan to avoid large leftovers; tentative planning discussed the picnic typically taking place in July (often the third Saturday). The commission reviewed its account balances: ending FY2024 balance $1,804.73; FY2025 allocation $2,379.73; expenditures to date $1,181.25, leaving a current balance of $1,198.48 in the commission account (commissioners noted additional donations from Lions, Rotary and First Church designated for events that may not yet be reconciled in the spreadsheet). Commissioners discussed scheduling a Super Thursday community meal (dates discussed in May and April) and a fall fashion show (October 9 favored by some members).
Other practical notes: The Memorial Pool will remain open this summer for camps and students with IEP summer programming; Aquarian (the water utility) presented about federally mandated lead-notification letters and how homeowners can register whether they have lead service lines; the Farmington Valley Health District invited partnership on its community health improvement plan, which lists older-adult well-being as a priority. The library noted teen Dungeons & Dragons handouts tailored for readers with dyslexia.
Votes at a glance (meeting procedural votes): The commission moved and approved with recorded “Aye” votes a motion to accept the minutes of Nov. 19, 2024, with corrections, and later approved a motion to adjourn the meeting.
