The Commission on Aging discussed transportation and senior center updates, and also listened to a presentation on senior activities from Newtown Community Center representatives, at its latest meeting.

Director of Human Services Natalie Griffith started her report by announcing she has hired Jennifer Faircloth as Newtown’s Transportation Coordinator. Previously discussed at the commission’s March and April meetings, the new job assists in hiring as-needed drivers, designs a plan for a transportation service, and gathers information on local transportation needs, among other duties.

Griffith said Faircloth started May 5 and has “hit the ground running.” Since taking on the position, Faircloth has spoken to surrounding communities with transportation programs; taken over arranging rides through outside transportation resources from existing staff; and drafted, finalized, and posted jobs for part-time drivers.

Faircloth also met with Chris Hamilton, the president of MySeniorCenter, a database program Newtown Senior Center uses. The meeting featured a new transportation component to the system, with Griffith saying it can “certainly be how we implement a transportation program on our end.”

To that end, she said Faircloth has already started drafting transportation program procedures.

“She’s just about two weeks in, and I think she has made some incredible strides,” Griffith said.

A Generous Donation

Griffith elaborated on news she shared at last month’s COA meeting, when Newtown Senior Center was named to receive $25,000 after being named in a Last Will and Testament of a local resident.

The gift comes, Griffith said, with the “hope and expectation, but not direction, that those funds will be used to provide transportation services for senior citizens.”

The funds will be placed in a gift fund when received, and can then be used to continue supporting local senior transportation after Connecticut state grant funds run out. Interest will be earned on the gift in the meantime.

Griffith said she was able to speak to the resident’s nephew over the last month after being connected to him by Maureen Crick Owen. It was through meeting with him that Griffith learned more about the currently anonymous resident, who Griffith said sounded like a “remarkable and funny woman.”

She noted the resident was also very quiet and private. Griffith said this was likely why she could not find anything when trying to search for the late woman on Google after first hearing about the gift.

“There was no obituary. There was no funeral … So I do want to do something to pay tribute to her, but I would like to respect her wishes and let it be something quiet,” Griffith explained.

She continued by saying the resident also gifted money to her nephew, who runs a senior center upstate, and he made a plaque in her honor. Griffith said she considered doing something in a similar vein to honor the resident, but said she was open to other ideas about how they could recognize the gift.

Focal Point

Griffith also noted the senior center officially received distinction as a Focal Point for older adults in the community from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2028.

Focal Point designations are places across the country that help simplify access to services and strengthen the local service delivery system for older citizens in the community.

In turn, Griffith said the system reflects the important role they play in supporting older adults within the Newtown community to provide a place like Newtown Senior Center where people can access services, develop skills, and foster connections.

Griffith submitted an application around a year ago, she said, to the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging for the senior center to be considered a Focal Point. Newtown Senior Center will be formally recognized for this achievement at WCAAA’s Regional Leadership Meeting, June 13 at the social services organization’s location in Waterbury.

Membership Fees Increasing

Newtown Senior Center will also be changing its membership rates. Starting July 1, the resident fee will go from $20 to $30, and the non-resident fee will go from $25 to $40.

Griffith said she made this decision alongside First Selectman Jeff Capeci and Finance Director Glenys Salas during budget season. This was not a new discussion, and had actually started with the previous Newtown Senior Center administration, she noted.

They anticipated raising the fees after moving into the new senior center facility, but Griffith said they did not want to do that the first year they moved into the facility.

The building at 8 Simpson Street, home to Newtown Senior Center and Newtown Community Center, and the offices for Newtown Parks & Recreation, opened in July 2019.

“We really didn’t want to open the doors to a new facility and immediately raise our fees; we wanted people to come and enjoy the new facility,” Griffith explained.

The plan to increase prices was delayed once the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she then added. Griffith said they were eventually able to reopen their doors, but did not want to do anything to hinder people from coming back.

The current decision, she said, comes in light of difficult budget years amid significant growth to the senior center and a significant increase in programming.

Griffith also noted the price range is in line with other senior centers in the surrounding area.

If someone’s finances would prohibit them from coming to the center, Griffith said they would be able to provide assistance.

“We would make sure that did not stand in the way of somebody being engaged here,” Griffith said.

Guest Speakers

Newtown Community Center Director Matthew Ariniello, along with Parks & Recreation Director Amy Mangold and Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Connor Negri presented to the COA about their senior resources and offerings.

Ariniello said the community center has day and evening options available for programs, which are focused on seniors who are active and working. He spoke about several programs similar to those at the senior center, from water aerobics classes to health and wellness classes such as yoga, pilates, and dance classes.

Negri noted Parks & Recreation offers various programs including woodworking classes, pickleball classes, dog obedience classes, a strength and stretch class, and dance classes such as salsa, hula, and line dance, among many others.

He also noted intergenerational and family friendly events are held throughout the year including a scarecrow contest, a “turkey toss” (basketball) free throw competition, and tree lighting over winter break at Ram Pasture.

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Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.