Attending: Larry Mansier, Jean Harrington, Bob Riley, Virginia Silliphant, Severino DiCocco, Anne Bolick, Nils Stout
Hopewell Township Mayor, Vanessa Sandom
Princeton Health Care Executive, Pam Hirsch

Excused: Bill Farmer, Joel May

The Meeting was brought to order at 2:12 by Chairman Mansier. Notice was made of meeting the Open Public Meetings Act requirements.

Senior Foundation: Nils Stout brought the SAB to date on general matters of the Senior Foundation and its usual start-up chores such as regularizing meetings, forming strategies, etc.

Senior Coordinator:

• A brief review of the physical attributes of the existing senior center was conducted with an eye to solving the current deficiencies e. g. fire safety technicalities, handicapped restroom, signage.
• Issues regarding the future building were briefly discussed, such as the needs assessment activity and related planning meetings.
• 178 rides were provided seniors in July, confirming this service as one of the most needed for seniors in the Valley.
• Coordinator Waugh expressed a concern that, since the senior activities are becoming so diversified and so well attended, purveyors of various services are approaching the officials to suggest that a "forum" or "event" be scheduled so that they may "help" the seniors by informing attendees of their services. Although most of these professionals are legitimate, there is probably an inference that the local officials are a "sponsor" or "endorser" and it becomes difficult to establish an absolute criteria wherein the benefit obviously exceeds the risk of (sometime attention seeking) seniors being taken advantage of. After review of her suggestions and some discussion, it was decided that it was best to err on the side of conservatism until more specific guidelines can beestablished.
• As the annual senior picnic was approaching, it was discussed as to how best take advantage for dissemination of information. It was again agreed that the function was mostly a social event with no agenda or central area, and it was best to use other venues.
• There was a brief review of scheduled programs: People and Stories, Used Medical Equipment Collection, Antiques Roadshow, Hopewell Harvest Fair. Also activities being planned: Art Show, Memoir Class, "Let's Chat". (Hard for a senior to keep track!)

  Chairman: Chairman Mansier reviewed county level senior activities such as funding, the Older Americans Act & plans for recognizing grandparents.

  Old Business: Nils Stout briefed the SAB about the sign that will imminently be placed in front of the current center. It was suggested that perhaps one or two signs should be erected in the borough to direct participants to the out-of-the-way cul-de-sac that fronts the center.

  Princeton Health Care: Ms. Hirsch stated that since the hospital will be erecting its new facility, the related foundation will be directing its benefits to areas relating to this activity rather than out-reach programs; consequently, it will be unable to fund the local senior coordinator?s position past the next fiscal year (or until Sept. 2009). While this news was distressing to some, both Chairman Mansier and Mayor Sandom assured everyone that the benefit to the community has been universally recognized and that plans are currently being considered for its perpetuation.

  The meeting was adjourned at 3:36

  Respectfully Submitted:
  Bob Riley: Secretary

  Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 2:00 at the HV Senior Center