The Commission on Aging’s final meeting of 2023 was quick, included the reelection of its board, and concluded with a reminder for its members on upcoming meeting dates.

Eight members of the commission were joined by Director of Human Services Natalie Jackson and Nunnawauk Meadows Director Mary Salley for the December 18 meeting.

Jackson began with an overview of “two amazing events,” she said, that had taken place recently at Newtown Senior Center. First was a Winter Wonderland Holiday Extravaganza, a new offering on December 15 that sold out. “I think it was a great success and a great way to kick off the holiday season,” she said. The event included lunch, raffle baskets, live entertainment, a visit from recently elected First Selectman Jeff Capeci, and was “completely sold out,” Jackson said proudly.

The following day was the delivery of gifts to residents in need coordinated by Human Services and The Newtown Fund. The morning began with donors visiting the senior center to pick up gift cards purchased by the Fund, to include with gift delivery, Jackson explained.

The effort this year helped 94 households.

“My initial calculations include 62 of the overall 240 individuals served are seniors,” she noted.

Jackson also highlighted a surprise that occurred a few days earlier.

“We had a visitor, a Newtown Middle School student who did his own gift card collection — a kindness project,” she said. The young man showed up with more than $300 in gift cards to add to those being sent out through the holiday basket program. His collection included, according to Jackson, a gift card he won in a contest a few months earlier.

“It was great to see the desire even by young people in our community to help others,” she said.

Jackson also presented a preview of the updated Community Resources Guide, a 5- by 7-inch card printed on both sides with information for trusted and confidential resources including Human Services, suicide prevention; information on domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse, and behavioral health; and food assistance.

All information was confirmed before the cards were printed, she said.

“You don’t want anyone to reach out and not find an answer, or reach a dead end,” said Jackson, who also said she plans to “have them anywhere people will find them, and find them helpful.”

Old Business

COA Chair Anne Rothstein reminded the commission that a survey created by COA Commissioner Judit DeStefano, seeking input from local senior citizens on a program called UP Community Cares, is being circulated via social media.

DeStefano was unable to attend the December meeting, but Rothstein said she has been in touch with Friends of C.H. Booth Library and Friends of Newtown Seniors concerning the survey with a request to help with distribution.

New Business

Rothstein had been invited to speak with the Planning & Zoning Commission, on behalf of COA, concerning the Plan Of Conservation & Development (POCD).

“They’d like each chair to speak with their commission” during the update to the POCD, she said. When some COA members said they had already responded to the P&Z request for all residents to take a town-wide survey, Rothstein said that was fine.

“They want individual responses as well as input from Town groups,” she said. “I want them to hear from us as a group,” she added. She then led a discussion, going through the survey and asking for relevant questions COA could address.

Commissioners mentioned individual safety and quality of life as concerns, while highlighting the location of Newtown as “good.” The town’s greatest weaknesses include housing and transportation, members agreed. Taxes are high in general, although it was noted that there are benefits available for senior citizens.

“And they know how to get them,” COA Treasurer LeReine Frampton said, adding “they line up for them.”

For transportation, the commissioners covered traffic congestion, the lack of public transportation, and walking safety. Claire Theune said it is “downright dangerous to walk on Walnut Tree Hill Road,” which is adjacent to Walnut Tree Village. If residents there want a change of scenery, she said, “we hope they don’t walk there or some of the other nearby roads because you can’t be seen.”

Jackson raised a question about the SweetHART bus, and why people don’t use that service more.

Theune said she has heard “people say it can make for a very long day, and they’re not up for that.”

Theune then mentioned the now-defunct FISH, the volunteer program in town that counted on volunteers to drive residents to medical appointments.

“A lot of people miss FISH and wish that would come back,” she said. “Is there any way that would come back?” she asked in general.

Frampton responded, saying the program is “not coming back, no.”

Discussion then moved to the approaching holiday weekend. Jackson reminded the commission that during the worst of the COVID pandemic, the COA had arranged for tins of cookies for local senior citizens. A drive-thru pickup was done at the senior center one year, and tins were also delivered to senior citizens unable to leave their home. Newtown Police Officer Maryhelen McCarthy had delivered the tins on Christmas Day, and had contacted Jackson with an offer to repeat the outreach this year.

Jackson and Rothstein agreed to accept the offer. Jackson promised to find out how many senior citizens are currently homebound, and would work with Rothstein and McCarthy to have cookie tins delivered to them.

Elections, Upcoming Meetings

The proposed slate of officers for 2024 was read by Theune. Theune said that following conversations she and fellow COA Nominating Committee member Frampton have had with the current officers — Rothstein, Frampton and Vice Chair Barbara Bloom — with each indicating an interest in serving another term, the board was nominated for another year.

Bill Darrin made the motion to accept the proposed slate, which was seconded by Pat Bailey. The vote to re-elect the three women was unanimous.

Before concluding the meeting, members noted that the January meeting will be on the fourth Monday. COA usually meets the third Monday of each month, but that date this month will be Martin Luther King Jr Day. COA will therefore conduct its next meeting on January 22.

Similarly, the third Monday in February will be Presidents Day, so the commission will meet during the fourth week of that month as well.

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.