January 21, 2021

Point Pleasant Beach Senior Committee

7:00PM – Thursday, January 21, 2021

Via Zoom:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/92121452323?pwd=bmR4MHpBeW1ST25UanNHdkE1NkFUUT09

 

Meeting ID: 921 2145 2323

Passcode: 833242

One tap mobile

+19292056099,,92121452323# US (New York)

+13017158592,,92121452323# US (Washington D.C)

 

Dial by your location

+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

Meeting ID: 921 2145 2323

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/ag6jDVFNM

 

Meeting Agenda

7:00 PM Sunshine Law/Roll Call –

Present: Caryn Byrnes, Patti Ascolese, Christina Ranuro, Peter Calderone, Cornelia Calderone, Georgia Cassidy, Barbara Walsh, Theresa Dosch, Loretto Shopene, Joanna Frank-Ryan, Cathy LaPlante, Jo Ann Chiefa, Greg Gradel, Tracey Lipari, Laurie DeSocio, Patty Camme, Lori Bonello, Joe Seickel, Joan Clune, MaryJane Reilly.

  1. Review and Adopt Mission – for publication on borough website
  • The Borough of Point Pleasant Beach created the Senior Advisory Committee to cultivate feedback and suggestions from senior town residents on present and future senior issues and programming in town. Roughly one-third of the town’s population is aged 65 or older, so this committee is integral to ensuring that seniors’ voices are heard and that they are properly represented and served.

The main mission of the Senior Advisory Committee is to ensure that our senior residents can age in place and receive access to services and assistance, as well as shaping the activities important to their lifestyles.

Motion to adopt – and adopted. Unanimous.

  1. Vote on Co-Chairs (2 members)

PK nominated Patti Ascolese and Theresa Dosch. Both accepted.

Motion to adopt – and adopted. Unanimous.

  1. Vote on Secretary: responsible for recording minutes, notes, and transmitting to clerk for publication on borough website.

Cathy LaPlante volunteered.

Motion to accept – and adopted. Unanimous.

  1. Vote on Treasurer: responsible for maintaining accurate funds accounting.

Greg Gradel nominated/volunteered.

Motion to accept – and adopted. Unanimous.

  1. Committee Discussion:
    1. Facebook Page: Who will create/maintain, ensure compliance with public records? (Check with Eileen)

Mayor (PK) mentioned Adapting Social to help with creating facebook page, posting, able to write posts/marketing edge. [Publicize page on town newsletter, create email list]

Patti Ascolese volunteered.

  1. Borough website routing will be corrected to show Senior Committee under Boards/Committees. Can reach page at https://pointpleasantbeach.org/committee/senior-committee/
  1. Vaccination Roll-Out age 65+: How can we help residents register? Currently only done online – is there a way to extend service to seniors to sign up by phone?

Dan Ragene at OC health dept. No vax available for in-town clinics. Couple of links are for registering online, but also a link through website to give out specific locations and phone numbers/web links.

Cathy: qualified for vaccine, supposed to get call back and received it. Behind but prioritizing second shots before new shots.

PK: quickest way to ID all seniors, ask county for voter reg list and ask for those 60-65+, who/how will we target mailings/phone calls, etc. May want to call all seniors on spreadsheet, give single point of contact, introduce chair person.

  • Call and use script. Get access to phone numbers of residents who may need assistance.
    • Leave voicemails.
  • Get email addresses, cell/phone numbers.
  • Email out to the committee.
  • Mailing would be ideal, depending on budget.
  • Putting flyers up at frequently-visited locations: churches, CVS/Walgreens, Post Office, Joe Leone’s, Hoffman’s, Hardware store, Dunkin Donuts, VFW, Women’s Club, etc.
  • Advertisement or article at Ocean Star? PK will reach out to Tyler to write an article about the committee. Patti mentioned we can put an ad in for free as a non-profit.
  • Insert in church bulletins? Some may be online, or on facebook pages.
  • In better weather with fewer cases, maybe set up a table outside such as at the farmer’s market.

 

  1. General Assistance: Grocery/Pharmacy runs, etc.

Include these offers/services on a generic flyer: do you need help with, would you like essential information from, what can we do for you?

  1. AARP Age-Friendly Communities: Sign up to be part of the network, receive a senior survey to assess the needs of our community.

No downsides. Might be helpful to have a committee member to liaise with specific organizations – i.e., someone to contact AARP, Leading Age NJ, or the county’s Office of Ageing.

Loretta Shopene volunteered.

  1. FYI: Federal funding opportunity to expand/provide senior transportation program throughout Point Pleasant Beach. Would require cost estimate for purchasing vehicle, hiring driver(s), insurance, coordination with Ocean County, outreach. Must demonstrate need for transportation. Application-to-award roughly 18-24 months.
    1. This may be more useful for the next application cycle in 2022, after the committee has gauged the needs of the community.

KO explained to the program and recommended researching and finding gaps in service over the next year, before applying for funding/creating a new program

  1. Any other items for discussion
  • Calderone: Caregivers of Central NJ. Will reach out to make connection.
    • Senior Services booklet from Ocean County – To obtain a copy of the Senior Services Resource Directory, send an email to gaddiego@co.ocean.nj.us or call the Ocean County Office of Senior Services at 732-929-2091.
  • LaPlante: Senior Registry with contact and phone number so they know you are a single or married senior couple. Helps give some background of who lives in the house in case of an emergency.
    • MJ: had friends in Boro whose police allow seniors to sign up for a well-check.
    • PK suggest Councilwoman Byrnes work with Councilman Vitale as he is police liaison.
  • PK: as things progress, would be great to have virtual events/speakers if viable. Should have speakers coming to senior committee. KO to get head of Senior Services to speak at the next committee.
  • Camme: suggest sponsor-a-senior or adopt-a-senior program to send gift/birthday card, or visit on holidays.
    • Committee agreed it would be a great idea.
    • Joe suggested involving school volunteer groups to earn service hours.
  • Gradel: perhaps committee can be facilitator for seniors with talents/skills who would like to share. Suggested a volunteer fair with non-profits in town to give opportunities.
    • PK added that this can happen at monthly lunches/breakfasts.
  1. Adjournment – 8:30PM