Present: Larry Mansier, Joel May, Anne Bolick, Bill Farmer, Virginia Silliphant, Jean Harrington, Nils Stout, Severino DiCocco
Excused: Bob Riley, Abigail Waugh - Senior Coordinator
Guests: Helen Lee, Weed Tucker, Ed Truscelli, Anne Moore

President Mansier called the Meeting to order at 2:05 PM.

Notice was made of meeting the Open Public Meetings Act requirements.

The SAB Meeting 04/14/2009 minutes were approved with corrections.

President Mansier introduced guests Ed Truscelli, member of the Hopewell Township (HT) Affordable Housing Committee, and Anne Moore, HT Affordable Housing Coordinator.

They informed us about the current state requirements of municipalities and what HT is doing to meet those requirements. They gave some examples of local affordable housing opportunities for seniors, families and the disabled. From 2008 to 2018 HT must provide 479 units, 25% (or 120 units) are to be for seniors. There is currently a surplus of 49 units available so we need to provide 71 additional units over the next 10 years to avoid Builder′s Remedy. The proposed Freedom Village on Denow Road will consist of 60 – 70 rental units for low, low income disabled individuals. A map of HT showing affordable housing locations and proposed locations and an income qualification chart will be sent by Ed to Larry Mansier.

Chairman′s Report: Phil Volpe, manager of Cream King on Route #31N, offered to give a portion of proceeds on Monday, June 8 to the Senior Advisory Board. We must do the publicity. The SAB approved and accepted the offer with much gratitude.

Senior Services Coordinator′s Report: No report.

Senior Center: Bill Farmer reported that we now have 3 bids to renovate the bathroom at the Senior Center on Reading Avenue; $18,000, $15,000 and $900 $9,000. Bill reported that he, along with Nils Stout would talk to the low bidder to determine it it meets all the requirements of the contract, then proceed with a decision. These bids will be presented to Pennington Boro for action.

Program: Larry Mansier reported that plans are continuing to develop a program patterned after Evergreen Forum at the Princeton Senior Resource Center to begin in the fall. The title will be Explorations. An architect from Princeton University, retired, has been engaged for the first sessions. Space for this program is being sought and publicity must be done.

Business Plan: Bob Riley, Larry Mansier and Abigail Waugh, the committee to develop a business plan for SAB is working toward that goal. Progress is slow due to much editing of the sample model to fit our specific situation.

Old Business: Under direction of Mayor Vanessa Sandam, a committee of Larry, Joel, Bill and representatives from Hopewell Boro, HT and Hopewell Boro are meeting to formulate a Hopewell Valley (HV) survey to determine the need/desire for a HV Senior Center. They hope to have the survey out by late July. Respondents need to be 65 years or older or have a person in the home who is that age.

More Old Business: Virginia Silliphant presented a sample brochure to encourage Hopewell Boro to require homeowners and businesses to repair the sidewalks in the Boro. They are currently in great disrepair and dangerous. The disabled are hindered from normal daily activity because of this neglect. Photos were taken by Jean Harrington and Virginia to put in this brochure. It will be presented to the Hopewell Boro Mayor.

Program Attendance Report: Joel May distributed a chart which he created from Abigail′s files showing her Senior Activities for the calendar year 2008 and the number of participants from each municipality. Attendance is increasing. This calculation did not include the county nutrition program or the bridge group. There were 261 programs in various locations in the Valley with 3,399 participants. Of this number, 126 programs were held at the Reading Avenue Senior Center with 1,122 participants. Thank you, Abigail!

Transportation: No report

The meeting was adjourned at 3:35 PM.

Respectfully Submitted with revisions: Anne Bolick: Acting Secretary 05/28/2009

Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 2:00 PM at the HV Senior Center