Attending: Larry Mansier, Bill Farmer, Anne Bolick, Severino DiCocco, Jean Harrington, Joel May, Bob Riley, Virginia Silliphant, Nils Stout

Senior Coordinator: Abigail Waugh

Pennington Council: Weed Tucker

The Meeting was brought to order at 2:07 by Chairman Mansier. Notice was made of meeting the Open Public Meetings Act requirements.

Senior Services Coordinator

Ms. Waugh reported on three issues related to the current facility:

1. Pennington Borough has hired a vendor to fix the several fire safety issues, work scheduled to begin the week of Oct. 22.
2. Mercer County will fix the handicapped parking issues, although at timing of its own convenience.
3. The architect has completed a draft of the revised handicapped lavatory and the pro bono contractor’s confirmation is awaited.

Incidentally, directional street signs are being prepared and are being coordinated by Stuart Schwab, Pennington resident and Township employee.

Regarding activity related to the new facility, the Senior Foundation and SS Coordinator are both working on funding research and the planning meeting has been deferred to 10/28.

The transportation activity provided 123 rides in September. A quote from vendors for 2009 is being awaited and approach will be made to BMS for sustaining funds.

Events scheduled for the near future include:
- Fire Safety Talk 10/20
- Keys to independence (transportation issues) 10/24
- Artists Choice 10/28
- Memory Lecture 11/6
- Harvest Fair Participation

Chairman

Chairman Mansier reported on his contacts and meeting with the County Department of Aging.

215 questionnaires soliciting attitudes and aspirations regarding senior activities were sent to appropriate residents of Hopewell Borough and, to date 69 responses have been received. These will be reviewed in detail and will influence further activities and initiatives. Ginny Silliphant was universally praised for her creation and sponsorship of this program.

Ensuing was an extended and detailed discussion of the next tasks for the Senior Advisory Board in general. The logical and consensus opinion was that activity be formalized to (1) survey seniors in all of the communities as to their interest and suggestions in optimizing senior services, and to(2) educate them as to what has been accomplished to date and the current inclinations of the Advisory Board.

These initiatives were approved 8 – 1 and 8 - 0 (I abstention), respectively.

The board here was reminded of several caveats: the municipalities must approve any direct approach to its citizens, so any survey should be approved by them, and: an appropriate adjustment should be made to the proposed budget.

Accordingly, assignments were made to the new committee as follows:

Survey Committee: Joel May(Ch), Larry Mansier, Helen Lee, Abigail Waugh

Brochure Committee: Ann Bolick (Ch.), Ginny Silliphant, Bob Riley, Bill Farmer

Before adjournment brief discussions were held:

- The appropriate destinations for assisted senior transportation, conclusion: expansive and should be considered when setting hours of operation.
- A reminder that the "y" is preparing its own survey and that we should probably keep this in mind as we proceed.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:06

Respectfully Submitted:
Bob Riley: Secretary

Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 2:00 at the HV Senior Center