Resources

Commission on Aging

On May 15, 1985, the Town of East Lyme passed an ordinance that created the Commission on Aging.  The Commission is a 7 member Board consisting of interested residents of the Town which must have minority representation.

The purpose of the Commission is to:

  1. Review and analyze the needs and conditions of the elderly persons of the Town in relation to housing, nutrition, employment, health, recreation, social services, transportation, and other matters and problems within the jurisdiction of the Commission.
  2. Plan, coordinate, develop and implement programs to meet the needs and to improve the conditions of the elderly persons of the Town, upon the Board’s own initiative or on the recommendations of the Senior Citizen Administrator.
  3. Through the Senior Center Director and others, as necessary, provide coordination of such plans and programs among all related services.

The monthly meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of every month starting at 5pm. The meetings are held at the Senior Center and the public is welcome to attend. If a member of the public has a concern and wants to address the Board, there are two ways in which this can be handled. At the Board meeting, a person can address the Board during the Delegations section of the meeting. Or, a person can ask the Senior Center Director to add an item to the monthly meeting Agenda.

The current makeup of the Board is:

John Whritner            Chairperson

Michael Bekech          Vice-Chairperson

Ilene Harris                 Secretary/Treasurer

Marge Caste                Board Member

Margret Hughes         Board Member

Joan Bengston            Board Member

Joe Palazzo                 Board Member

Roseanne Hardy        Selectman and Ex-Officio

 

The East Lyme Senior Center can assist you or someone you know with regards to services available within our community. If you have questions, please call at 860-739-5859 for an appointment.

 

    Saturday, October 24th- Shred Day – EL Community Center Parking Lot

    Time: 8:30am to 12pm

    For East Lyme residents only. Please bring proof of residency to event. Limit of 2 banker boxes. No charge. Will accept donations of non-perishable food items for Care & Share. Please check expiration dates. If possible, remain in your car. Pack your items accordingly so we can easily take them out of your vehicle.

    From the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection:

    Guidelines for Shredding & Saving Personal Documents

    • Pay Stubs and Canceled Checks: 1 year, then shred those you will not need for tax, warranty or insurance purposes.
    • Credit/Debit Card and ATM Receipts: after you have checked the transactions against your monthly statements, store if you are saving for tax purposes.
    • Before discarding, shred all statements from your health plan, items with your signature, credit account number, phone or cell phone number, social security number or legal information.
    • Keep store receipts until you are sure you won’t need to return or exchange the item. Any items that have warranties should be attached to the warranty information and saved in case you need proof of purchase.
    • Supporting tax documentation, such as receipts, W-2s, 1099s, canceled checks and credit card statements for 3 years after the returns filing due date. Keep copies of your actual tax returns permanently.
    • Keep warranty cards, instructions and receipts for high-ticket items for as long as you own the item.
    • Keep canceled checks and invoices for permanent home improvements until you sell your house.
    • Store car maintenance records until you sell the car. Give these documents to the new owner. Keep the title for as long as you own the vehicle but do NOT keep it in the car.
    • Keep records of the purchase and sale of mutual funds and stocks until you’re reported the transactions to the IRS and keep the records with our other tax related documents.

     

    Documents that should be kept permanently in a fireproof box or home safe

    Birth & marriage certificates

    Current/up to date passport

    College transcripts, diplomas

    Pension plan & retirement plans documents

    Credit card & loan agreements

    Social Security cards

    Divorce decree and property agreements

    Stock purchase agreements

    Mortgage documents, home inventory, insurance policies

    Tax returns

    Will and living will

     

    Tuesday, November 3rd- ELECTION DAY

    By the beginning of October, you should have received your application for an absentee ballot. If you have not yet received it, you can go online to download the application at:

    https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Absentee-Ballot-Application/Absentee-Ballot-Application-English-and-Spanish

    As a reminder, if you choose to vote by absentee you can fill out the application and mail it to the East Lyme Town Clerk in the self-addressed stamped envelope that is provided with each application. You can also put the application in the drop box in front of the Town Hall (street side at the top of the stairs and the handicapped ramp) or you can bring it into the Town Clerk’s Office. If you have any questions when you receive the application please contact Karen Miller Galbo, East Lyme Town Clerk at 860-739-6931 ext. 1135.

     

    FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

    Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has sponsored the public          observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health    observance in our country.

    Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.

    This year’s theme is “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!”

    Did you know?
    Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of fires in the kitchen. Scald burns are the second leading cause of all burn injuries. Hot liquids from coffee and even       microwaved soup can cause devastating injuries.

    “Cook with Caution”

    • Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.
    • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
    • If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
    • Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

    If you have a small (grease) cooking fire and decide to fight the fire…

    • On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
    • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

    If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire…

    • Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
    • Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.

    Yoga at Bridebrook Park at 9am on September 8th

    Senior Yoga has resumed will be held at Bridebrook Park on Tue mornings through September. As you pull into the parking lot, the class will be on your left. You must complete a new registration form before you take the class which will be available with the instructor. You must wear your mask coming to the class and exiting from the class but you can take it off during the class. You must position yourself 6 feet away from your neighbor. You must bring your own mat and any other supplies you may need.

     

    In all instances, if you are sick or experiencing symptoms you are to stay home.
    If you have been in contact with someone who was sick or experiencing symptoms
    you are to stay home.