A rare Wednesday special meeting for the Southbury Board of Selectmen resulted in a close vote to keep the town’s Senior Center closed on Fridays, at least through the end of August, as part of the town’s four-day workweek pilot program.
By a 3-2 vote, the board opted not to revert the Senior Center back to its traditional Monday-Friday schedule, despite concerns raised by some residents and board members.
Selectmen Anne Armeno and Tim O’Neil were the two members of the board who voted in favor of effectively canceling the pilot program for the Senior Center. First Selectman Jeff Manville, along with Selectmen Jason Van Stone and Holly Sullivan, cast their votes to keep the center aligned with the pilot program. Selectman Justin Bette was absent.
Director Defends Changes
Andrea Corcoran, Southbury’s Director of Senior Services, was invited to speak about the adjusted hours and was flanked by the support of her fellow Senior Center employees.
She noted that since the announcement of the pilot program in April, the Senior Center has received over 130 renewals and new memberships, bringing the total membership close to 900.
“We truly care about the seniors, and I’m confident our center will continue to be a focal point of this community, even with a four-day schedule,” said Corcoran.
She highlighted the importance of employee retention, offering her perspective as a town employee.
“As one of the town’s newest department heads, I support the First Selectman’s decision to implement the four-day workweek pilot program, and I do hope it becomes permanent. It is crucial for the town to attract and retain talented and dedicated employees to continue to offer the services that make Southbury a town that people want to live in.”
She continued, “Rest assured, the Senior Center will still offer the same level of quality programming, if not more. We would not do any harm to the seniors, and I would be disappointed if a few negative voices end up overshadowing many of those who are quietly in support.”
Divided Views on Service and Feedback
Mary Silverman, the town’s Social Services Director, said the extended hours on Wednesday allow for programs to be held in the early evening, which wouldn’t be possible without the pilot program.
“I haven’t had any complaints,” said Silverman. “It has been a big advantage to my schedule.”
But not all feedback has been positive. Selectman Armeno said she’s heard from residents who are disappointed by the Friday closure and she expressed regret over initially supporting the pilot program for the Senior Center.
“Now that I think about it, I think this might have been a bad idea,” said Armeno. “You only have to work until 1:00 p.m., so five hours is not that big of a deal.”
She recommended a formal survey of the members of the Senior Center and emphasized the importance of serving the constituents of Southbury.
“I understand employee retention, but I also understand that this town – the senior center, parks and rec – we service the people,” said Armeno. “If we’re not there, we don’t service the people.”
In response to a submitted petition of 71 signees calling for the Senior Center to return to its previous hours, First Selectman Manville declared the document as “inaccurate” following Corcoran’s estimation that about a third of the signatures are not by members of the center. She said another third of the signatures are from members who do not attend on Fridays.
Armeno countered that residents have voiced their concerns privately.
“There were people who didn’t want to put their name on a petition, but they were disgusted with the Senior Center not being there on Friday,” said Armeno.
Support For Flexibility
Judy Katzmark, Chair of the Senior Commission, referenced the pushback from some seniors in her June 17 letter to the Board of Selectman, saying that, “This seems to have been generated by a very small but determined group of individuals upset at the loss of an exercise class held then.”
Katzmark’s letter continues, “I strongly support the idea of trying new formats, moving classes and programs to assess their usefulness and interest generated in the elderly population that we serve, and being open to new opportunities which may arise in the course of dealing with the varying people and conditions which make up the Southbury Senior Center.”
The past two scheduled Senior Commission meetings have been canceled due to not having a quorum. Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 17.
Pilot Continues Through August
First Selectman Manville ultimately made the suggestion to keep the pilot program in place for the Senior Center.
“What I’m hearing from Andrea is that we are servicing the people,” said Manville. “They’re all getting where they are supposed to be. They are getting their rides for medical, shopping, and trips. It’s all being done, most of which is not being done on Friday anyway because of short hours.”
The 3-2 vote means that the Senior Center will remain part of the pilot program. Their hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday; and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Fridays will continue to be closed for the duration of the pilot program, which runs through the end of August.
The Southbury Record 